Which radiation unit is used to measure exposure to dental personnel?

Which radiation unit is used to measure exposure to dental personnel?

• A. Gray
• B. Rad
• C. Rem
• D. Sievert

Answer: (C)

The correct response is based on the understanding that the Rem (Roentgen Equivalent Man) is a unit specifically designed to measure the biological effects of ionizing radiation on human tissue. In the context of dental personnel, who are exposed to radiation during dental procedures, the Rem accounts for the type of radiation and its impact on the human body, making it particularly relevant for assessing the potential health risks associated with exposure. The Rem is used to evaluate the dose equivalent, which factors in both the energy deposited by radiation and the sensitivity of different biological tissues to that radiation. This is crucial for ensuring that dental personnel remain within safe exposure limits to minimize radiogenic health issues, such as cancer. Other units mentioned—such as Gray, Rad, and Sievert—serve specific purposes but do not directly measure the exposure impact on personnel in the same context. Gray and Rad are primarily used to quantify the absorbed dose of radiation without considering the biological effect, while Sievert is a unit for measuring dose equivalent similar to Rem but is typically employed in a more general context outside of dental practices.

The correct response is based on the understanding that the Rem (Roentgen Equivalent Man) is a unit specifically designed to measure the biological effects of ionizing radiation on human tissue. In the context of dental personnel, who are exposed to radiation during dental procedures, the Rem accounts for the type of radiation and its impact on the human body, making it particularly relevant for assessing the potential health risks associated with exposure.

The Rem is used to evaluate the dose equivalent, which factors in both the energy deposited by radiation and the sensitivity of different biological tissues to that radiation. This is crucial for ensuring that dental personnel remain within safe exposure limits to minimize radiogenic health issues, such as cancer.

Other units mentioned—such as Gray, Rad, and Sievert—serve specific purposes but do not directly measure the exposure impact on personnel in the same context. Gray and Rad are primarily used to quantify the absorbed dose of radiation without considering the biological effect, while Sievert is a unit for measuring dose equivalent similar to Rem but is typically employed in a more general context outside of dental practices.