Quality assurance: acceptance testing for digital dental intraoral sensors

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the need for acceptance testing with digital dental intraoral sensors (DIOS) as the first step of a comprehensive quality assurance (QA) program.

Five commercially available DIOS were tested by using a QA test phantom, satisfying the requirements for intraoral QA testing as specified in American Dental Association Technical Report No. 1094 (TR 1094). All DIOS were evaluated for sensor discrepancies. QA parameters of contrast perceptibility, spatial resolution, dynamic range, and latitude were measured. Optimal radiation exposures for the adult molar bitewing were determined and compared with the diagnostic reference level (DRL), achievable dose (AD), and entrance skin exposure (ESE) for each DIOS.

Thirty-five of the 147 DIOS (23.8%) evaluated were found to have discrepancies. The discrepancies included nonuniformity, latent images, delamination, a damaged USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector, and intermittent termination of image acquisition after radiographic exposure without generation of a radiographic image. Only 1 manufacturer's DIOS products were free from defects. The optimal exposure dose for every DIOS was within published limits.

Acceptance QA testing was effective in detecting discrepancies and establishing optimal exposure doses that were within the DRL and AD established by the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements and the ESE established by the state of Texas.