T. Sairir, BDS,MS,Dip. ABOMR,*  l.A.N. Al Agil, PhD,**
V. Manoharan, BE***
* Division of Radiology, College of Dentistry, King Saud University
** College of Science, Department of Physics, King Saud University
*** Department of Biomedical Engineering, King Khalid University Hospital

Thermoluminescent dosimetry was employed to measure the efficiency of the lead barriers in the Dental X-ray operatories. A monthly radiation dose of 2.7 milli rad detected by one dosimeter, located outside an operatory. The remainingforty seven dosimeters placed in the corridors did not register any dose. The incorporated lead thickness in the walls of the operatories was found to be 2mm, ten times than the required lead thickness. The annual occupational radiation exposures around the operatories was estimated to be well below the backround radiation levels in City of Riyadh.

Saudi Dental Journal 1989;1(2):51-55.