That “AERB Audit” Email: How to Go from Dread to Done

By: Dr. Asma Abidin

November 21, 2025

Ah, the dental X-ray. Our diagnostic superhero. It peers through enamel, uncovers hidden trouble, and gives us the superpowers we need to plan the perfect treatment. But every superhero has a rulebook. In India, that rulebook is written by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), and the “final exam” is the radiation safety audit.

Let’s be honest. If you saw an email with “AERB audit” in the subject line, your jaw might clench just a little. It sounds complex, intimidating, and like a mountain of paperwork.

But what if it wasn’t? What if it was just a chance to prove the high standards you already follow every single day? With a little prep, you can turn that “oh no” into “we’ve got this.”

Why This Isn’t Just ‘Red Tape’

First, let’s get the “why” out of the way. This whole process is built around one, crucial principle: ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable). It’s our professional promise to minimize radiation exposure for both our patients and our team.
The stakes for non-compliance are real, and they’re not just fines. An inspector can and will seal non-compliant X-ray equipment. That means a day of chaos, cancelled appointments, and a major hole in your diagnostic workflow. A successful audit, on the other hand, is a powerful trust signal for your patients.

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Your 3-Point Audit-Ready Checklist

Forget the panic. Being “audit-ready” just means building three simple habits into your practice.

1. Get Your Paperwork in Order (The “File”)

This is the first thing an inspector will ask for. Think of it as your clinic’s report card.

eLORA License: Is your license from the AERB’s e-Licensing portal current for every X-ray unit you own (IOPA, OPG, CBCT)?
Type Approval: Do you have the AERB Type Approval certificates for all your machines?
Service Logs: Can you show a clear record of when each unit was last serviced or repaired?

2. Check Your People & Your Place (The “Physical”)

This is all about your physical setup and your team’s daily habits.

TLD Badges: Is your staff actually wearing their TLD (Thermoluminescent Dosimeter) badges? A common “fail” is finding them all in a desk drawer. They must be worn by all operators during X-ray use.
The Apron Test: Are your lead aprons and thyroid collars hung up properly? If they’re folded in a cabinet, the lead inside can crack and become useless.
Room Check: Are your shielded walls and doors in good repair?

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3. Nail Your Quality Assurance (The “Proof”)

This is the part that often trips up even the best clinics. The AERB mandates that your X-ray machines are regularly tested to ensure they’re safe and accurate. This is called Quality Assurance (QA).

This is where tools designed for dentists come in. A great example is the Tarsier X by Eikona X. Using a tool like this proves you are proactively managing your equipment’s safety. It’s a straightforward way to check beam alignment, output, and all the technical bits an auditor wants to see, turning a major compliance headache into a simple, routine check.

An AERB audit isn’t a boogeyman. It’s a system of checks and balances that protects us all.

By having your documents in order, your team on board, and a smart system like the Tarsier X), you’re not just “passing an audit.” You’re building a fortress of trust and proving what you already knew: your clinic is a safe, high-quality centre for care.

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About the Author

Dr. Asma Abidin

BDS

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November 21, 2025