Licensed dentists played an important role in maintaining radiation exposures of patients and staff As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA). Greater numbers of intra oral radiograph are being requested and a wide range of other dental radiographic examinations (panoramic, cephalometric) are being performed on a routine basis with the addition of advanced imaging modalities. Individuals who operate dental x ray equipment must have a basic knowledge of the basic roles of radiation safety. <br />One of the important principles in reducing dental x ray exposure is what we call the principle of justification which means that the dentist should identify the situations where the benefit to the patient from the diagnostic exposure likely exceeds the risk of harm. In practice this principle influences what patients are selected for radiographic examination and what examination are chosen.<br />When the decision is made to take a radiograph for the patient, the following points will be beneficial in reducing staff exposure.<br />*As a general roll, any procedure or technique that reduces patient exposure also reduces the possibility of exposure to the dental staff. <br /> *Operators of radiographic equipment should use barrier protection when possible, and barrier should contain a leaded glass widow to enable the operator to view the patient during exposure. <br />*Every effort should be made so that the operator can leave the room or take a position behind a suitable barrier or wall during exposure. <br />*If leaving the room or using a barrier is impossible, then following position and distance rule will be a good option. <br /> The operator should stand at least 6 feet (2m) from the patient, at an angle of 90-135 degree to the central ray of the x ray beam. <br />*The operator should not hold the film or sensor in place. If correct film placement and retention are not possible, a parent or other individual responsible for the patient should be asked to hold the sensor in place and be protected by lead apron. <br />*Periodic assessment of the lead shield, dental x ray machine to exclude the presence of any leakage radiation and to ensure that a dental office produced a high quality image with minimum exposure and dental staff. <br />*Persons who work in dental radiography should wear personal dosimeter (film badge) to monitor exposure level and calculating accumulative dose. The film badge contain a strip of AL2O3 which is sensitive to radiation.<br />