At the Dentist with a Radiation Dector - in the waitng area for 1 hour 9 Minutes

Remembering stories of radiation poisoning to dental assistants and x-ray techs is the middle of last century I was very excited about taking my radiation detector to the dentist’s office.

It was not my appointment so I spent the entire time in the patient waiting area. The clinic was a modern building with at least 7 or 9 different dental offices located inside of it.

I know for a fact the person I accompanied had 3 x-rays taken - one from the front, one from the right, one from the side. It seems logical to assume that during the one hour and nine minute span I sat there taking readings that at least one other patient somewhere in the building also had x-rays taken.

The results were disappointing. Not only did I not detect any spikes, but also the natural radiation levels were lower than most of the areas I have tested so far. The range between high and low readings was also less.

You can conclude that either the machines were aimed away form my direction, I did not get a reading during the time of an x ray, or that very little excess radiation is released by the new generations of x-ray machines. The data from this test shows less background or other radiation then even a grocery store I tested.

If I recall correctly the radiation dose from a dental x ray is about 5 to 10 μSv/h (Micro Severts).

Keep in mind this test was with a Geiger Counter only. I did not do any testing for either high or low EMFs (Electromagnetic Frequencies).

It would be a fun project to have multiple devices running at one-minute intervals and checked over a one-week period. However time and money does not allow for this. I also suspect the results may be very disappointing, except for perhaps the unit in the room with the x-ray device. It would not surprise me if that was also a bit lack luster.

Next time I am in the chair, I will have a device in a side pocket that will not be blocked by the lead shield should I be given a dental x-ray. I also how to do so low level EMF testing there as well some day.

Below are my readings for a 1 PM appointment on December 9, 2013.

Here are the Coordinates for the office:  41.179199, -85.114308

Counts 69
Min reading 0.06 μSv/h
Max readinf 0.13 μSv/h
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Product model: Radex RD1212
Serial number: XXXXXXX
File name:     H:\Gieger Counter readings\Inside Dr Coopers Office Dec 9 2013.txt
Period      From                     μSv/h
-----------------------------------------------------------
1m          12/09/2013 13:50:13      0.13
1m          12/09/2013 12:42:49      0.06
1m          12/09/2013 12:44:00      0.08
1m          12/09/2013 12:45:00      0.08
1m          12/09/2013 12:46:00      0.11
1m          12/09/2013 12:47:00      0.08
1m          12/09/2013 12:48:00      0.09
1m          12/09/2013 12:49:00      0.09
1m          12/09/2013 12:50:00      0.09
1m          12/09/2013 12:51:13      0.08
1m          12/09/2013 12:52:13      0.08
1m          12/09/2013 12:53:13      0.08
1m          12/09/2013 12:54:13      0.09
1m          12/09/2013 12:55:13      0.08
1m          12/09/2013 12:56:13      0.06
1m          12/09/2013 12:57:13      0.09
1m          12/09/2013 12:58:13      0.08
1m          12/09/2013 12:59:13      0.06
1m          12/09/2013 13:00:13      0.13
1m          12/09/2013 13:01:13      0.07
1m          12/09/2013 13:02:13      0.10
1m          12/09/2013 13:03:13      0.08
1m          12/09/2013 13:04:13      0.10
1m          12/09/2013 13:05:13      0.09
1m          12/09/2013 13:06:13      0.12
1m          12/09/2013 13:07:13      0.06
1m          12/09/2013 13:08:13      0.10
1m          12/09/2013 13:09:13      0.11
1m          12/09/2013 13:10:13      0.11
1m          12/09/2013 13:11:13      0.10
1m          12/09/2013 13:12:13      0.08
1m          12/09/2013 13:13:13      0.10
1m          12/09/2013 13:14:13      0.12
1m          12/09/2013 13:15:13      0.09
1m          12/09/2013 13:16:13      0.09
1m          12/09/2013 13:17:13      0.09
1m          12/09/2013 13:18:13      0.09
1m          12/09/2013 13:19:13      0.08
1m          12/09/2013 13:20:13      0.08
1m          12/09/2013 13:21:13      0.09
1m          12/09/2013 13:22:13      0.10
1m          12/09/2013 13:23:13      0.06
1m          12/09/2013 13:24:13      0.10
1m          12/09/2013 13:25:13      0.12
1m          12/09/2013 13:26:13      0.13
1m          12/09/2013 13:27:13      0.07
1m          12/09/2013 13:28:13      0.08
1m          12/09/2013 13:29:13      0.07
1m          12/09/2013 13:30:13      0.11
1m          12/09/2013 13:31:13      0.08