Radiation Safety Across Radiology, Emergency, Dental, and Epidemiological Healthcare Settings: A Theoretical Review of Protection Strategies and Exposure Reduction

Abstract

This study explored radiation safety practices across radiology, emergency medical, dental, and epidemiological healthcare settings and evaluated strategies for reducing radiation exposure among patients and healthcare professionals. Particular attention was given to radiology professionals, epidemiology technicians, emergency medical technicians, and dental assistant technicians because their responsibilities intersect with imaging referral, patient preparation and transfer, dental radiography, occupational surveillance, incident reporting, and safety education. The increasing use of diagnostic, interventional, portable, and dental imaging has intensified concern about cumulative exposure and associated biological risks. The study employed a theoretical review of peer-reviewed literature published between 2015 and 2026 using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Evidence was synthesized on dose optimization, occupational protection, monitoring systems, artificial intelligence, staff education, and multidisciplinary communication. Findings indicate that low-dose protocols, iterative reconstruction, appropriate shielding, real-time monitoring, standardized workflows, and adherence to the ALARA principle reduce unnecessary exposure while preserving diagnostic value. The review also shows that safety improves when epidemiology technicians support surveillance and trend analysis, emergency medical technicians communicate prior imaging and protect patients during transfer and portable examinations, and dental assistant technicians apply correct positioning, barrier, and exposure-control procedures. Sustainable radiation safety therefore depends on technology, institutional governance, role-specific education, and coordinated practice across departments.