X-ray and HARP Testing
Dental Fix provides X-ray Quality Assurance and Acceptance Testing services to dentists and podiatrists in the province of Ontario as mandated by the Healing Arts Radiation Protection (HARP) act.
What are the requirements?
There are various aspects of testing that are required under the H.A.R.P. ACT.
A number of forms are required by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care when a new office is opened, new equipment is purchased or there is a change of ownership. Government Forms
Dental Testing Requirements
Dental Testing Requirements
Items 2,3 and 4 from Table 3 of the HARP Act (reproduced below) outline the annual testing requirements for dental x-ray machines.
| Item | Test or Procedure | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Photographic quality control* | Every operational day |
| 2 | Patient entrance exposure measurements | Every twelve months and upon alteration or servicing of the machine |
| 3 | Collimation | Every twelve months and upon alteration of servicing of the machine |
| 4 | Half-value layer | Every twelve months and upon alteration or servicing of the machine |
R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 543, Table 3.
Click link to print out your “Digital Daily Quality Control Data Sheet”
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I need to test my x-ray machine?
In Ontario, the H.A.R.P. Act states that for new or newly installed used machines, testing is required within 60 days of installation (H.A.R.P. 8.4,5), furthermore, annual testing of Patient Entrance Exposure, Half Value Layer and Beam Diameter at the Patient Entrance Surface is required. Annual type testing is also required after alteration or servicing of the unit.
Who is responsible to ensure testing is done in a timely manner?
It is the responsibility of the Radiation Protection officer of each office to ensure testing is done
How long must I hold onto the QC reports?
The Act states that these must be held for 6 years at the location of the x-ray machine.
We’ve gone digital. Do we still need to do the annual QC testing?
Yes. Upgrading to digital radiography usually means a decrease in typical exposures but x-ray radiation is still being used to produce the digital image so testing is still required.
How does the government check that we are doing testing?
The X-ray Inspection Service of the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care checks on compliance in several ways. They have inspectors that perform office visits. While they are in the office they check the qualifications of the staff taking x-rays and look at past reports of x-ray QC and photographic QC. The Ministry also send out requests that back copies of QC testing be sent into the Ministry.
If an x-ray inspector has just been in my office do we still need to do our regular QC testing?
Yes. An office inspection does not replace annual testing.
Our office is moving. What type of paperwork is required by the Ministry?
Form1: http://www.forms.ssb.gov.on.ca/mbs/ssb/forms/ssbforms.nsf/GetFileAttach/014-1782-53~1/$File/1782-53E.pdf is used to register the new x-ray equipment.
Form 2: http://www.forms.ssb.gov.on.ca/mbs/ssb/forms/ssbforms.nsf/GetFileAttach/014-1612-53~1/$File/1612-53E.pdf is to register the new office and
Form 3 http://www.forms.ssb.gov.on.ca/mbs/ssb/forms/ssbforms.nsf/GetFileAttach/014-6616-53~1/$File/6616-53%20Bil.pdf is also to register the new office.
Detailed plans of the new location must also be submitted and approved by the Ministry prior to approval.
Are there different testing requirements for panoramic and cephalometric x-ray machines?
Yes – each type of dental x-ray machines have their own set of criteria that must be tested.
