Are Dental X-rays Risky Business?

Are dental X-rays necessary?

No prudent dental clinician would consider performing a surgical procedure, something as simple as a cavity preparation, without x-ray information to help them characterize the disease process and make an informed clinical decision. In most cases, our profession does a good job of determining what dental, panoramic, and now even cone beam x-ray procedures are necessary for patients. Again, these selection criteria published by the FDA, the ADA and our radiology specialty in several journal publications are available to give the clinician guidelines for the safe use of x-ray radiation. The first publication of these selection criteria was actually in the Journal of the American Dental Association in 1988. However, like collimation, these guidelines have largely been ignored.

So yes, most dental x-rays performed by our profession are necessary. What we need to do better is use the publish selection criteria for ordering our images and use the most contemporary radiologic devices such as solid-state detectors and x-ray collimation to ensure that we move forward in step with the concept of ALARA – As Low As Reasonably Achievable. Rectangular collimation, although a seemingly small step will indeed result in a huge reduction of x-ray exposure dose to the patient. Now that it has been made simple, economical and widely available, there is simply no valid reason for not employing it in our dental practices. The ADA, the FDA and many specialty organizations in dentistry recommend it. Our patients will begin to demand it, especially in light of all the recent concerns raised in the journalistic media.

Why not jump on the bandwagon now, accept the inevitable, and “do the right thing” in your practice? You can even market your new “radiation hygiene” to your patients, on your website and in your marketing materials.