X-Ray Inspection Services

X-ray machinery delivers radiation and must be used in accordance with Guidance Notes to keep you, your staff, and patients safe. Regular testing, along with a proper maintenance programme will keep your equipment operating safely and effectively for years and save you the expense of breakdowns and emergency repairs.

X-Ray Servicing and Inspection and the Law

The legislation that governs the use of medical X-ray machinery is, the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017.

This is a legally enforced standard. To comply with it you must ensure that your X-ray equipment is maintained, and you must arrange for it to be tested regularly.

Radiological tests must be carried out every 3 years, or in some cases annually, and after installation or any major repairs.

The regulations also stipulate proper maintenance, “so that [x-ray equipment] remains fit for the purpose for which it was intended.”

Most manufacturers advise that x-ray equipment is serviced annually.

Dental X-ray Equipment Servicing

Annual servicing should follow manufacturer’s guidelines.

For example, Belmont, whose x-ray equipment Bowen Dental Engineering supply, demand yearly maintenance checks by a “trained, certified service technician.” These electro-mechanical checks can be undertaken alongside radiological checks for convenience.

A Bowen Dental Engineering x-ray inspection visit will begin with ensuring that any previous concerns with the equipment have been addressed before running through a series of technical operational and safety checks. Photographs and comprehensive notes are used to record the testing and repair work, and a report is given to the practice.

A Complete Dental Engineering Repair, Maintenance and Certification Service

You can combine your x-ray testing with Bowen Dental Engineering’s other maintenance, compliance, and testing services for convenience and value.

Our experienced team of trained engineers deliver friendly and efficient repair and maintenance services (including contract maintenance) to industry-leading standards. We supply and work with all leading manufacturers of amalgam separators, autoclaves, compressors, dental chairs, and suction pumps.

In addition to our x-ray testing service we also carry out PSSR pressure testing and decontamination standards testing.

Emergency call-out visits are available for when things do go wrong.

Call Bowen Dental Engineering for advice and accurate estimates on equipment, servicing, testing and contract maintenance for all your dental equipment needs.

What will the inspection include?

• Review the paperwork from the previous visit(s) and make a note of any concerns noted which have not been addressed. If they have not been addressed, ensure they are noted and brought to your attention before the test continues
• Check serial number of the X-Ray tube head
• Mark down the operating potential [kV], tube current [mA] and filtration values from the tube head
• Check the stability of the X-Ray mount
• Check for any damage to the tube head
• Check the electrical and mechanical safety of the machine and grade its condition 1-5
• Check the condition of the X-Ray exposure control
• In the case of an intra-oral X-Ray set, check the condition and operation of the counter-balanced arm and fittings
• In the case of a panoramic X-Ray set, check the rotational movement of the X-Ray tubehead and the fitting
• Switch on the X-Ray set
• Check the operation of the dead man switch and/or emergency stops
• Complete the required numbers of exposures and record the results (patient entrance dose [mGy], kV, exposure time, filtration)
• Check the consistency of the radiation output
• Complete ‘X-Ray Service’ report paperwork accurately completing all fields
• Photograph the X-Ray equipment as a record of any concerns noted on your paperwork
• Highlight any discrepancies to you in relation to the operation of the X-Ray equipment
• Ensure that the exposure settings are as found on arrival
• Switch the X-Ray set off
• Finally, a brief formal report will then be issued to the practice