Quality control of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) equipment used in dental applications according to RDC 611

Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) is a powerful and a versatile tool that has revolutionized the way dentists plan and perform treatments. Several advantages are attributed to this modality, including: the equipment is compact, image acquisition is fast, it has high spatial resolution and produces detailed images. However, when compared to other imaging diagnostic methods used in dentistry, CBCT often administers higher doses, emphasizing the need for careful use and the application of radiation protection principles. For example, the effective dose of an intraoral radiograph is less than 1.5 µSv. The effective dose of a panoramic radiograph ranges between 2.7 and 24.3 µSv, while the effective dose of a CBCT scan ranges from 64 to 674 µSv. This study evaluated a CBCT device that underwent the tests recommended by current Brazilian regulations, assessed the doses generated by the device, and implemented a quality assurance program in a dental radiology service that uses this technology, to promote maximum efficiency, safety, and accuracy, optimizing the radiation doses administered and ensuring the quality of the images acquired. This is the first step in the development of a quality control (QC) protocol for the service under evaluation. It is part of the implementation of a certification program to be applied initially in the Galeão Air Force Hospital (HFAG) service, which will serve as a model for other radiology services of the Brazilian Air Force.