Application of liquid scintillation light guide (LSLG) to scattered X-ray measurement from dental panoramic radiography system

A 1.2 m flexible liquid scintillation light guide (LSLG) detector connected to a portable electric device was developed and applied to monitor X-rays scattered from a panoramic dental X-ray imaging apparatus. The X-ray absorption of the LSLG tube was simulated for 20 and 40 keV X-rays. The LSLG detector was calibrated by comparing doses measured by a 3-inch NaI(Tl) detector using Am-241 and Cs-137 sources. A linear relationship was obtained between dose rates (μSv/h) and count rates (cps). The elapsed time profile of scattered radiation from a panoramic dental X-ray imaging apparatus was determined. Local absorbed doses were measured with small OSL dosimeters on the LSLG tube suspended over the shoulder and the eyeglass. Behind the ears and neck (in the center of the LSLG tube) showed high doses. The LSLG detector was useful for real-time monitoring of scattered X-rays. •A new flexible LSLG detector was applied to scattered X-ray measurements for a dental panoramic X-ray equipment.•The X-ray absorption of the LSLG tube was simulated with the PHITS Monte Carlo simulation program.•Excellent correlation between count rate and dose rate with LSLG tube was shown using 241Am and 137Cs sources.•Flexible LSLG tube was able to measure X-ray radiation in real-time within a maximum count rate (106 cps).•Local head, respiratory, and neck during dental radiography was estimated by micro OSL dosimeters.