A thyroid collar is worn by the patient to protect them from radiation.

A thyroid collar is worn by the patient to protect them from radiation.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. Sometimes

Answer: (A)

Protecting the thyroid from scatter radiation is a fundamental safety concept in dental radiography. The thyroid collar is a lead shield worn around the neck to absorb scatter photons that escape the primary beam, reducing radiation dose to the thyroid gland, which is highly radiosensitive. Because shielding the thyroid lowers radiation exposure, the statement that a thyroid collar protects the patient from radiation is correct. It’s commonly used during most intraoral radiographs to minimize dose, especially for children and pregnant patients, though applicability can vary with specific imaging modalities and diagnostic needs.

Protecting the thyroid from scatter radiation is a fundamental safety concept in dental radiography. The thyroid collar is a lead shield worn around the neck to absorb scatter photons that escape the primary beam, reducing radiation dose to the thyroid gland, which is highly radiosensitive. Because shielding the thyroid lowers radiation exposure, the statement that a thyroid collar protects the patient from radiation is correct. It’s commonly used during most intraoral radiographs to minimize dose, especially for children and pregnant patients, though applicability can vary with specific imaging modalities and diagnostic needs.