ALARA
Pronunciation: ah-LAR-ah
Also written as: ALARA — As Low As Reasonably Achievable
An acronym for 'As Low As Reasonably Achievable,' the guiding radiation protection principle requiring that patient exposure to ionising radiation be kept to the minimum necessary for diagnostic purposes.
Full Definition
ALARA — As Low As Reasonably Achievable — is the fundamental radiation protection principle applied in dental and medical radiology. It mandates that clinicians and radiographers reduce radiation dose to patients to the lowest level consistent with obtaining a diagnostically useful image, taking economic and social factors into account. In dental radiology, ALARA underpins decisions about radiograph selection criteria, frequency of exposures, and choice of imaging modality (e.g., preferring intraoral radiographs over CBCT where adequate). Editors will encounter ALARA in guidelines, consent forms, and methods sections; it should always appear in full capitals as it is a true acronym. The phrase should be expanded on first use in formal documents.
Usage
Usage note: Always write in full capitals (ALARA). Expand to 'as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA)' on first use in formal documents. Reference to the ICRP framework may be appropriate in regulatory or research contexts.
In Context
- "Radiograph selection was guided by the ALARA principle, with exposures limited to those clinically justified." — Radiological audit report
- "In accordance with the ALARA principle, a small-FOV CBCT scan was chosen over a large-FOV scan to minimize unnecessary radiation exposure." — CBCT justification note