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Radiation Protection Equipment — NDEB AFK MCQ

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EasyRadiology & ImagingRadiation Protection EquipmentNDEB AFK

What is the purpose of the lead apron and thyroid collar during dental radiography?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: DTo protect the patient from scattered and primary radiation to radiosensitive organs

Lead aprons (minimum 0.25 mm lead equivalent) and thyroid collars protect the patient's radiosensitive organs (thyroid, gonads, bone marrow, breast tissue) from scattered radiation. The thyroid gland is particularly radiosensitive, and thyroid collar use reduces thyroid dose by approximately 50% during intraoral radiography. While modern digital sensors have reduced doses significantly, lead protection remains standard practice, especially for the thyroid collar.

Reference: White & Pharoah – Oral Radiology: Principles and Interpretation, 8th ed., 2019