​​When do your xray units it need testing?

​Intra oral, Panoral
​and Cephalometric x ray sets
         Every 3 years  

​      Cone Beam CT *
& Hand held x ray units  
Every year

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 Also referred to as :
Quality Assurance tests, Performance tests
Routine radiological test, Critical exam and acceptance tests.

* CBCT units can only be tested every 3 years if the monthly quality assurance tests are carried out using the manufacturers quality assurance phantom
and the machine is serviced and calibrated annually.

 X ray testing pricing

Intra oral £120

Hand Held £120

Panoramic £150

OPT with Ceph £220

Cone Beam CT £650

Competitve Pricing

We believe we offer the best combination of service and pricing.

Intra oral x ray 
Digital Dental      UKHSA (PHE)  Dental Directory    
£120                   £140                   £160      

Cone Beam CT
Digital Dental      UKHSA (PHE)  Dental Directory    
£650                   £775                   £750   

Combine your testing and servicing to save money.
​Example:
Intra oral x ray unit.  Combined price £170+vat  (save £35+vat.)
Comparison
UKHSA (PHE)  £140+vat for a postal test pack
You carry out all of the tests and fill in the paperwork. The cost doesn't include a service.​
Dental Directory Members  Combined price £170+vat 

The difference between Radiation Testing and Servicing.

There is often confusion between radiation testing and servicing.
Testing​
To explain the difference we like to equate the Radiation Testing to a vehicle M.O.T.
It is a legal requirement to get your vehicle M.O.T'd
 It is also a legal requirement to ensure your x ray equipment tested.
This ensures it is safe to use, operates correctly and the environment where it is used is suitable.
Servicing
Vehicles need servicing according to manufacturers recommendations.
X ray units also need servicing to manufacturers recommendations.
This includes an annual electro mechanical check.
This is not carried out during the radiation test.
There are also some regulations and guidance which pertain to this:
​

• Regulation 33 of the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 states:

“33.—(1) Every employer who has to any extent control of any equipment or apparatus which is used in connection with a medical exposure must, having regard to the extent of its control over the equipment, ensure that such equipment is of such design or construction and is so installed and maintained as to be capable of restricting so far as is reasonably practicable the exposure to ionising radiation of any person who is undergoing a medical exposure to the extent that this is compatible with the intended clinical purpose or research objective. 

• The Health and Safety Executive's Guidance Note PM77 (third edition) entitled "Equipment used in connection with medical exposure" states:

"Equipment used in connection with medical exposure should be under some form of maintenance/service contract, often with the manufacturer or installer. Alternatively, arrangements may be made with in-house engineers and technical staff.”
Although this document PM77 is not strictly legally binding, it could be used by the HSE to pursue a prosecution where failure to follow its guidance has led to an incident or injury involving ionising radiation.

• The Electricity at Work Regulations (EWR)

There is a legal responsibility for employers & employees to comply with these regulations & as practically possible adopt a duty of care to ensure that no danger results from using
electrical equipment.

Why are Digital Dental different?

Expertise from 23 years specialising in dental x ray systems 
We use the latest electronic test equipment which delivers instant results.
So we can make immediate adjustments and offer immediate advice.
This can often result in a failing unit being adjusted to pass the test.

We do all the work. So you don't have to.
​No postal packs where you have to carry out the tests. 
No confusing and long winded forms you have to fill out.
No online surveys or questionnaires  you have to complete.
We carry out all of the tests and complete all of the paperwork.
The test reports, certificates and RPA reports are then sent via email.

No searching for lost reports and certificates.
All reports are digitally stored by us if you ever need copies.​

No panicking that your units don't conform because they haven't been tested.
We will send timely reminders when the units are due for testing.
​

​​What's included?

Check x ray exposures and all safety features/warning devices
​ i.e. all shielding, collimation and lamps.
Carry out an environmental risk assessment of the area where the x ray equipment is used.
Then provide you with a report and a diagram of the room. The diagram would show the controlled area, main beam direction, operator position, isolator location and other requirements.
The report will provide recommendations and any actions required.

​The comprehensive testing of 3D Cone Beam CT machines require specialist  electronic test and calibration equipment.
The testing and evaluation of the results will take at least 4 hours.

Hand held x ray units require the same tests as wall mount x rays with additional leakage/safety tests.

Current regulations and Guidance

​
Guidance Notes for Dental Practitioners on the Safe Use of X-ray Equipment
​https://www.fgdp.org.uk/publication/guidance-notes-dental-practitioners-safe-use-x-ray-equipment

Regulations and guidance governing x ray testing and servicing.IRR 2017 Legislation
www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2017/1075/contents/made

​IRMER 2017 Regulations
​www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2017/1322/contents/made

Guidedance on Safe Use of CBCT
www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/340159/HPA-CRCE-010_for_website.pdf

Regulatory recommendations and requirements.

• CQC Outcome 11: Safety, availability and suitability of equipment.

The registered person must make suitable arrangements to protect service users and others who may be at risk from the use of unsafe equipment by ensuring that equipment provided for the purposes of the carrying on of a regulated activity is properly maintained and suitable for its purpose; and used correctly

• Regulation 33 of the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 states:

“33.—(1) Every employer who has to any extent control of any equipment or apparatus which is used in connection with a medical exposure must, having regard to the extent of its control over the equipment, ensure that such equipment is of such design or construction and is so installed and maintained as to be capable of restricting so far as is reasonably practicable the exposure to ionising radiation of any person who is undergoing a medical exposure to the extent that this is compatible with the intended clinical purpose or research objective. 

• The Health and Safety Executive's Guidance Note PM77 (third edition) entitled "Equipment used in connection with medical exposure" states:

"Equipment used in connection with medical exposure should be under some form of maintenance/service contract, often with the manufacturer or installer. Alternatively, arrangements may be made with in-house engineers and technical staff.”
Although this document PM77 is not strictly legally binding, it could be used by the HSE to pursue a prosecution where failure to follow its guidance has led to an incident or injury involving ionising radiation.

• The Electricity at Work Regulations (EWR)

There is a legal responsibility for employers & employees to comply with these regulations & as practically possible adopt a duty of care to ensure that no danger results from using
electrical equipment.