Basic principles for use of dental cone beam computed tomography: consensus guidelines of the European Academy of Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology.

OBJECTIVES: To develop "basic principles" on the use of dental cone beam CT by consensus of the membership of the European Academy of Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology.

METHODS: A guideline development panel was formed to develop a set of draft statements using existing European directives and guidelines on radiation protection. These statements were revised after an open debate of attendees at a European Academy of Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology (EADMFR) Congress in June 2008. A modified Delphi procedure was used to present the revised statements to the EADMFR membership, utilising an online survey in October/November 2008.

RESULTS: Of the 339 EADMFR members, 282 had valid e-mail addresses and could be alerted to the online survey. A response rate of 71.3% of those contacted by e-mail was achieved. Consensus of EADMFR members, indicated by high level of agreement for all statements, was achieved without a need for further rounds of the Delphi process.

CONCLUSIONS: A set of 20 basic principles on the use of dental cone beam CT has been devised. They will act as core standards for EADMFR and, it is hoped, will be of value in national standard-setting within Europe.