Establishment of diagnostic reference levels for dental cone beam computed tomography in Tabriz, Iran

Objectives Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans, essential for medical imaging, expose patients to radiation. To ensure safety, this study aimed to establish typical diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) and estimate median organ doses and cancer risks associated with CBCT scans in the Tabriz region, Iran.Results Patient data from 196 individuals undergoing common CBCT procedures were collected. Effective and organ doses were estimated using VirtualDoseCT software. Lifetime attributable risk of cancer incidence was estimated using BEIR VII report. DRL values were established based on gender and indication. Indication based values were 341 mGy.cm2 for implants, 387 mGy.cm2 for lesions, and 342 mGy.cm2 for sinus scans. Effective doses (EDs) were analyzed, yielding values of 30 mu Sv for males and 20 mu Sv for females. Organ doses analysis revealed that salivary glands received the highest dose, while thymus had the lowest in both genders. Lifetime attributable risk of cancer incidence was evaluated and found to be 0.0027 in 100 000 for male patients and 0.0084 in 100 000 for female patients.Conclusions The study highlights the importance of minimizing radiation exposure in CBCT examinations to reduce the risk of cancer and heritable effects. Tailored scan protocols and optimization measures can enhance patient safety by lowering doses. The results offer valuable guidance for dental and maxillofacial imaging practices on radiation doses and DRLs in CBCT examinations.