An In-Depth Evaluation of Radiation Safety in Dental Facilities for Tc-99m MIBI Patients Undergoing Nuclear Medicine Myocardial Perfusion Scintigraphy

Background: This study aimed to determine the radiation doses that may be received by dentists when examining or performing interventional procedures on patients who have undergone myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) for the evaluation of ischemic or scarred myocardial regions. Additionally, it sought to identify appropriate radiation protection measures from the perspective of dental practitioners.

Methods: A total of 37 patients undergoing MPS were included in the study. Each patient received a cumulative activity of 1110 megabecquerels (MBq) of technetium 99m methoxy isobutyl isonitrile (Tc-99m MIBI) for stress and rest imaging. Following both stress and rest imaging, radiation dose rate measurements were obtained using a radiation detector from the neck, thoracic, and abdominopelvic regions at distances of 5 cm, 15 cm, 30 cm, 60 cm, and 100 cm within 0.5-3.0 hours after radiopharmaceutical administration.

Results: The mean dose rates measured from the thoracic region at 5 cm, 15 cm, 30 cm, 60 cm, and 100 cm distances were 156.7 ± 23.5 μSv/h, 134.3 ± 23.2 μSv/h, 79.7 ± 29.6 μSv/h, 34.1 ± 17.6 μSv/h, and 15.1 ± 5.9 μSv/h, respectively.

Conclusion: From a radiation safety perspective, it was determined that a patient who has undergone MPS can safely undergo dental examination and treatment at least 7 hours after imaging. For pregnant dental practitioners, a minimum waiting period of 10 hours is recommended to ensure radiological safety.