Final answer:
The occupancy factor for a secretary sitting constantly adjacent to a dental operatory where radiographs are taken could theoretically be 10%, reflecting minimal expected direct exposure if proper shielding is in place. However, a definitive answer cannot be provided without specific information about the office setup.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is related to the occupancy factor of an area adjacent to a dental operatory. The occupancy factor indicates the percentage of time the space is occupied and thus potentially exposed to radiation during radiographic procedures. Considering a secretary who sits in this area constantly, one could argue that the occupancy factor is high.
In professional practice, measures are taken to ensure that radiation exposure to occupational workers is as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA principle), which includes the use of barriers, proper shielding, and maintaining a distance from the source of radiation. If a secretary's desk is properly shielded and is not directly in the path of the X-ray beam when it is in use, then the occupancy factor could be 10% or possibly lower, reflecting minimal expected direct exposure.
However, without specific information about the shielding or the setup of the office space, a definitive answer cannot be given; this is a theoretical situation to illustrate the concept of occupancy factor in radiation protection.