The CDA recently submitted feedback to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) regarding proposed changes and updates to x-ray machine regulations for healthcare providers. The changes are intended to align state x-ray regulations with national standards that were updated in 2015.
In response to the broad proposed changes, the CDA’s comment letter urged the state to:
- reject the annual evaluation of dental machine operators, a requirement that does not exist for other healthcare professionals
- ensure dental operator training requirements are aligned with Colorado Dental Board policies
- modify new requirement for annual evaluation of protective apparel and auxiliary for facilities without x-ray imaging means on-site
- exempt dental offices using CBCT equipment from facility accreditation requirements
- exempt panoramic imaging from the thyroid shield use requirement
- clarify language regarding operation of radiation machines to prevent misinterpretation that only licensed individuals may operate
- exempt hand-held dental devices from the shielding design requirements that apply to permanent equipment
- revise duplicative/unnecessary anatomic programming controls requirements in specialty areas where applications are readily apparent
- modify rectangular collimation requirements to allow sufficient time for implementation and exempt circumstances where it is not feasible
All of the CDA’s comments aim to make the revised regulations as reasonable and streamlined to implement as possible for dental offices.
You can read the full comment letter here.