Swasthi Prasetyarini  

Department of Radiology and forensic, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Jember, Indonesia

Alisya Rahma Putri 

Faculty of Dentistry, University of Jember, Indonesia 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19184/stoma.v23i1.60013

ABSTRACT 

Manual (chemically) radiographic film processing is still widely used in many dental healthcare facilities despite the advancement of digital technology. One common issue in manual radiographic processing is the decline in developer solution effectiveness after repeated use, marked by a decrease in pH and an increase in developing time. The activity of the developer solution can be maintained by adding accelerator materials, such as sodium carbonate (Na2CO3). The research aims to determine the effect of adding 75 grams of Na2CO3 to the developer solution that has been used for 45 film developments. This laboratory experimental research used a posttest-only control group design, involved 45 samples, and divided into 3 groups: group 1 used developer solution after 45 uses (negative control), group 2 used the 45-times-used solution without Na₂CO₃ (positive control), and group 3 used the 45-times-used solution with an addition of 75 grams Na₂CO₃ (treatment group). Developing time was measured using a stopwatch at the Radiology Laboratory, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Jember. Data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis with a significance level of p<0.05. The results showed that the average of developing time was 22.79 seconds in group 1, 41.86 seconds in group 2, and 12.06 seconds in group 3. The addition of 75 grams of Na2CO3 can change the pH of the developer solution so that it can increase the activity of the solution and reduce the duration of time for film developing. 

Keywords: Developer solution, Developing time, Film processing, Na2CO3.