Expert Advice

A key requirement of both the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17) and the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 (IRMER17) is the need to seek expert advice. In the case of dental practices this will always be from external consultants. Practices are required to appoint Radiation Protection Advisers (RPA) and Medical Physics Experts (MPE).

Radiation protection adviser (RPA)

The RPA provides you with advice on practical radiation protection as well as legislative compliance. The law requires you to address a number of issues, such as carrying out a risk assessment, ensuring the suitability of the workplace, ensuring adequate supervision of the work etc and you would expect your RPA to provide you with advice and assistance on such matters. UKHSA provides an RPA service recognised in the United Kingdom by the Health and Safety Executive and in the Republic of Ireland by the Environmental Protection Agency Ireland (EPA).

Medical physics expert (MPE)

The MPE provides advice on the measurement and optimisation of patient doses and quality assurance as well as providing general advice on complying with IRMER17.