Dental & Cone-Beam CT Physics
CBCT dose evaluation, extraoral radiography testing, and shielding design for dental and ENT facilities by board-certified medical physicists. FL, MD, VA, DC, CA.
What's included
CBCT Dose & Performance Evaluation
Cone-beam CT dose characterization and equipment performance assessment using accepted dosimetric frameworks including AAPM TG-111 guidance
Extraoral Radiography Testing
Equipment performance evaluations for panoramic and cephalometric systems, including image quality and exposure parameter review
Intraoral Radiography Evaluation
Performance testing for intraoral X-ray units serving dental operatories
Shielding & Registration Support
Radiation shielding design and documentation support for dental facilities installing CBCT or other X-ray equipment
Why it matters
- Dose characterization documentation for CBCT regulatory compliance
- Equipment performance records for state radiation-control programs
- Shielding calculations for new CBCT installations
- Expert support navigating state dental radiography registration requirements
Designed for
What is dental and cone-beam CT physics?
Cone-beam CT (CBCT) and dental X-ray equipment used in dental, oral surgery, and ENT settings deliver ionizing radiation and are subject to state radiation-control registration requirements in most jurisdictions. A board-certified medical physicist can characterize equipment performance and radiation dose, support shielding design for new installations, and provide the documentation your facility needs for registration and compliance.
AAPM Task Group 111 (TG-111) provides an accepted framework for CBCT dose characterization using a standardized dosimetric approach. DRPS applies this framework and other relevant guidance to dental and maxillofacial CBCT evaluations.
DRPS provides dental and CBCT physics services for facilities in Florida, Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, California, Nevada, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Delaware.
What we evaluate
Cone-beam CT (CBCT) dose characterization
Dose measurements using accepted dosimetric methods to quantify patient radiation exposure for your CBCT unit. Documentation supports regulatory review and internal dose-management programs.
CBCT image quality and performance
Assessment of spatial resolution, image uniformity, artifact characteristics, and system performance relevant to clinical diagnostic use.
Extraoral panoramic radiography
Equipment performance evaluation of panoramic X-ray units, including exposure output, image quality, and compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
Extraoral cephalometric radiography
Performance testing of cephalometric systems used in orthodontics and oral surgery, covering exposure parameters and image quality indicators.
Intraoral radiography
Performance evaluation of intraoral X-ray units, including timer accuracy, output reproducibility, and radiation safety checks.
Shielding design support
Radiation shielding calculations and design documentation for rooms housing CBCT or other dental X-ray equipment — supporting building permit applications and state radiation-control approval.
Services
CBCT equipment performance evaluation
A comprehensive physicist evaluation of your cone-beam CT unit covering dose characterization, image quality, and equipment performance, with a written report suitable for regulatory submission.
Extraoral and intraoral radiography evaluations
Performance testing for panoramic, cephalometric, and intraoral X-ray systems — individually or as a facility-wide survey — with findings documented in a physicist report.
Facility-wide dental X-ray survey
A single-visit evaluation of all dental X-ray equipment at a practice or facility, producing a consolidated physicist report for state radiation-control records.
Shielding design for dental facilities
Room-by-room shielding calculations for new CBCT installations or facility renovations, with a design report and barrier specifications for your architect and contractor.
Registration support
Documentation and coordination support for state dental X-ray registration and inspection processes.
Regulatory framework
Services are performed in accordance with AAPM TG-111 guidance for CBCT dose characterization, applicable state radiation-control regulations for dental and oral maxillofacial radiography (FL, MD, VA, DC, CA, NV, PA, NY, NJ, DE), and relevant FDA equipment performance standards. Shielding calculations follow NCRP Report No. 145 and state-specific requirements where applicable.
FAQ
Does my dental practice need a medical physicist?
State requirements vary. Many states require radiation safety surveys or physicist evaluations for CBCT units, and some require documentation for all dental X-ray registrations. We can advise on the specific requirements for your state.
What is TG-111 and why does it matter for CBCT?
AAPM TG-111 is the report of an AAPM task group that established a standardized framework for measuring and characterizing dose from CBCT systems. It provides a consistent, defensible methodology for dose characterization that regulators and accreditation bodies recognize.
Can you help with CBCT shielding if I'm building out a new operatory?
Yes — shielding calculations and a barrier design report are a standard service for new CBCT installations. Early engagement (before construction) avoids costly retrofits.
Do you evaluate ENT or head-and-neck CBCT systems?
Yes. CBCT systems used in ENT, sinus imaging, and temporal bone imaging settings are within scope for our evaluations.
What states do you serve?
DRPS serves facilities in Florida, Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, California, Nevada, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Delaware.
Related
- Radiation Shielding Design — full shielding design service for diagnostic imaging facilities
- CT Physics Testing & Equipment Performance Evaluation — medical CT scanner physics for hospitals and imaging centers
- Cone-Beam CT Dose — Physics Pulse — technical background on CBCT dosimetry and TG-111 methodology
- Contact DRPS
Ready to get started?
Talk to a board-certified medical physicist about your facility's needs.