Radiography/X-ray
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June 27, 2025
In today’s high-tech dental world, quality assurance (QA) often brings to mind automated sensors and software calibration. But there's one old-school, low-tech tool that remains just as essential as ever: the step wedge. Health Canada’s Safety Code 30 and best practice guidelines still recommend regular use of this tool to ensure your dental radiography systems are functioning correctly (Health Canada, 2022). If your practice is overlooking step wedge testing, or not logging it properly, you may be putting diagnostic accuracy and patient safety at risk.
What Is a Step Wedge Test?
A step wedge is a radiographic quality control tool made of graduated thicknesses of aluminum. When exposed to X-rays, it produces a pattern of varying density levels on the image. This test helps evaluate the consistency of image quality and monitor changes in exposure, sensor calibration, or processing systems (for fil
