Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) – ethical and medico-legal considerations

Using CBCT in dental practice – Radiation dose, risk, safety, ethical and medico-legal considerations

Educational Objectives

Educational Aim:

The aim of this article is to enhance clinicians understanding of the liabilities and risks of irradiation, improve competencies to justify and optimize the safe and effective use of CBCT and know the ethical and medico-legal obligations associated with CBCT use in dental practice.

Editor's comments:
Clinician liability and patient risk from radiation have been a continuing concern in oral and maxillofacial imaging due to the frequency of radiographic examinations in dental practice. With the increased use of CBCT imaging in dental practice, patients will be exposed to even higher radiation doses. Dental practitioners using CBCT have an ethical obligation, firstly to maximize potential benefits for the patient, and secondly, secondly to ensure that radiation exposure is optimized to minimize biological risks. As CBCT technology advances in dentistry, clinicians who embrace it should understand the potential liabilities and risks associated with the technology as well their ethical obligations towards the patient and the profession.

Educational Outcomes:
Upon completion of this module practitioners should have a clear understanding of:

Instructions for this Module

• Read the supplied reading material and complete the quiz that follows;
• You have three attempts to pass the quiz;
• The pass grade is 70%;
• You need to pass the quiz to claim your CPD certificate;
• Please click on the CPD certificate link below to claim your CPD certificate and to update your CPD Manager.

If you need any assistance to complete this module, please Contact us