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Q: Dentistry ( No Answer,   3 Comments )
Question  
Subject: Dentistry
Category: Health > Medicine
Asked by: iseecords-ga
List Price: $5.00
Posted: 31 Dec 2004 07:01 PST
Expires: 30 Jan 2005 07:01 PST
Question ID: 449645
I recently saw an antique dental cabinet.  Why are the doors lead-lined?
Answer  
There is no answer at this time.

Comments  
Subject: Re: Dentistry
From: owain-ga on 31 Dec 2004 12:44 PST
 
The cabinet was probably used for holding a radioactive material, that
could be used as a source of radiation for radiography (X-Rays, though
not necessarily using X ray radiation). Probably cheaper and more
portable than an 'electronic' X Ray machine in the days of valve
electronics.

Owain
Subject: Re: Dentistry
From: tlspiegel-ga on 31 Dec 2004 12:55 PST
 
Owain is correct.  

"Our operatory walls and cabinets are lead-lined to prevent any
unnecessary x-ray exposure to patients and staff."
http://www.elmtreedental.com/safety.html
Subject: Re: Dentistry
From: crabcakes-ga on 31 Dec 2004 14:00 PST
 
I would expect the cabinet to be used to STORE unexposed glass x-ray
plates, to keep it from getting exposed to scattered rays from an old
x-ray machine.(Old x-ray machines used coated glass plates as opposed
to the x-ray film used now) The first dental x-ray was taken in 1896.
Today radiology department walls are lead-lined to prevent scatter
from leaving the area, and unexposed x-ray film is protected in a lead
lined box or cabinet still.
http://www.ada.org/public/topics/history/timeline_19cent.asp

http://www.lateralscience.co.uk/xray/

~crabcakes

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