IRMER Definition — ORE Part 1 MCQ
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Correct answer: A — Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations
Explanation lettering: E = shown as B · B = shown as C · C = shown as E
IRMER is the statutory acronym for the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations, which apply in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (with parallel versions in 2017 for GB and 2018 for NI). These regulations are the legal framework governing the safe and justified use of ionising radiation in medical and dental settings, with a primary focus on patient protection. Dental practitioners must understand IRMER compliance as it sets requirements for justification, optimisation, and dose limitation of all dental X-ray exposures. Distractors B, C and E are phonetically plausible but fabricated acronyms; D is incorrect because infrared and magnetic fields are not relevant to ionising radiation protection.
Reference: Health Research Authority (HRA). Ionising radiation. Accessed April 2026. https://www.hra.nhs.uk/planning-and-improving-research/policies-standards-legislation/ionising-radiation/ ; Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP). Legislation and compliance. https://www.psm.sdcep.org.uk/topics/radiation-protection/legislation-and-compliance/ ; The Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017. UK Statutory Instruments 2017/1322. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2017/1322