Occupational radiation exposure doses of dental hygienists reported as radiation workers in medical institutions: 2020–2024 annual report on personal radiation exposure doses of radiation workers in medical institutions

Vollständiger Abstract

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Objective: To compare occupational radiation exposure doses among dental hygienists using annual reports on individual radiation exposure doses of radiation workers in medical institutions. Methods: The distributions of personal radiation exposure doses among dental hygienists were evaluated using the annual reports on individual radiation exposure doses of radiation workers in medical institutions published by the Korea disease control and prevention agency between 2020 and 2024. Differences in radiation exposure dose distributions across the years were assessed. Results: Between 2020 and 2024, >70% of dental hygienists were consistently classified within the ≤0.1 mSv dose interval each year. Among the 13 dose intervals, the percentage of dental hygienists in the >0.1 to ≤0.2 mSv interval decreased significantly, from 13.1% in 2020 to 10.8% in 2024. Conversely, the percentage in the >0.4 to ≤0.5 mSv interval increased significantly, from 1.8% to 2.4%, during the same period. Conclusions: This study provides an overview of the characteristics of occupational radiation exposure among dental hygienists and offers foundational data to support improvements in radiation safety management and the evaluation of current exposure levels.