Lead Apron Use

[John Brand]

I measured the doses at 17 sites within the head and neck using
rectangular collimation (Rinn PID) at 75 kV and 2.7 mm Al HVL.  No
radiation was measured at the thyroid gland from 14 of the 20 intraoral
films in a complete survey despite exposing TLDs to 100 times the normal
exposure.  You could conclude that rectangular collimation, e-speed film
and time-temperature processing eliminates the need for lead aprons for
gonadal protection.  On the other hand after a lifetime of dental care
when we present patients with a thyroid collar and no lap apron, they
might wonder where to wear it.  Lead aprons are reasonably achieveable,
but is the patient more at risk from a contaminated apron?