DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Test

The statement that lead aprons only protect against external radiation is accurate because lead aprons are designed primarily to shield the body from scatter radiation that can occur during radiographic procedures. When X-rays are produced, some of them may scatter away from the primary beam, and the lead in the apron serves as a barrier to absorb this scatter radiation, preventing it from reaching sensitive areas of the body, particularly the reproductive organs and thyroid gland.

In the context of the other choices, while lead aprons are an important safety measure, they are not universally mandated for all dental procedures, as indicated in the first option. The suggestion that they can be reused without cleaning overlooks the importance of hygiene in a clinical setting. Lastly, the idea that lead aprons are unnecessary with digital radiography is misleading; despite reduced radiation exposure with digital technologies, lead aprons still offer protection against secondary radiation and are considered a precautionary measure. Therefore, the focus on lead aprons providing protection specifically against external radiation is the reason this statement is considered true.