Dental X-rays- but of a scam?

[Miljah]

I have an NHS dentist. I am mid 50s with 'OK' teeth. Thus, as we now know to be true, a visit every 2 years should suffice.

Natch they want you to attend every 6 months which strikes me as a bit daft, anyway. You don't get a colonoscopy or a body CT every 6 months, 'just in case' do you? 😊

Anyway, I tire of the attempt to X-ray your teeth most visits, as an 'over-view', as opposed to checking out a specific issue, like pre root-canal or crown, which is justified.

I see the images and the fact is, many are not well done, and there's only 1/2 to 2/3 of the root on them (I'm talking intra-oral, not OOG, here). Plus you're getting a radiation dose.

Do you think it's just a money spinner, and do you, like me, refuse?

BIT of a scam!

Wish we could proofread titles as well as body of text!😂

I don't get offered xrays at every visit. I'm in Scotland so my check ups are free too. I didn't even need a scale and polish this time (it is chargeable)

My mum is a private dentist, but doesn't charge me! Gets me to go every 6 months, bite wings annually and the whole mouth X-ray every couple of years if I recall correctly.
She's not making any money from me so I assume she thinks it's worthwhile.

Well, caries (tooth decay) progresses at varying rates depending on several factors including a patient’s general health; dietary habits; medications and other things. The intervals at which you should have a dental recall aren’t just random; they are informed by the dentist’s clinical knowledge and experience, and professional guidelines. Why do you think you’re qualified to say how often it should be for anybody?

Also, a standard radiograph (“x Ray” to you) is not intended to examine tooth roots, just the crowns (the part you see in your mouth, which has enamel and dentine where caries occurs).

I have pretty crap teeth but can't remember the last time I had an x-ray, which suggests that you aren't supposed to have them that often.

Dental X-rays are taken every two years as part of the nhs exam - no additional fee - included in a Band One treatment. They don’t show the root, they show the areas of the teeth that are more likely to decay - the interproximal surfaces ie in between the teeth, the areas that don’t get brushed by your toothbrush, the area where food collects. Teeth can decay very quickly, and decay can damage teeth extensively within six months if left. The radiographs known as bite-wings also show the levels of bone loss if you’re suffering from gum disease too.

So. No. Not a scam.

It entirely depends on the patient how often radiographs are taken. Low risk usually 2yearly as an example. To answer your question, it's highly unusual for patients to refuse IME. You explain the rationale for the radiograph to the patient and if they still refuse you would counsel them as to why that was unwise and document the conversation in your clinical notes.

My dentist says my teeth are good. Go every ten months and have X-rays every couple of years. DS is 15 and goes every six months, has had one X-ray a year or so ago.

Standard X-rays, I guess you mean bitewings if they are not showing all the root surface, can also check the bone levels around teeth.
We don’t just take them for the sake of it and if you’re in England on the NHS they won’t actually cost you anything unless they show work that needs doing so hardly a money spinner.

Also a examination visit every 2 years as per your OP is highly unlikely. Stable patients ie low risk for caries & periodontal disease, are on 12-18 month recalls. But, the majority of dental patients in an average general dental practice will still need 6 monthly recalls.

Surprised at the posters confirming they x-rays are not for roots. I went to a new dentist for my last checkup and after the x-rays she was acting all terribly shocked and concerned and told me that my wisdom teeth roots were all impacted and this was very very serious and meant my jaw was at risk of exploding or words to that effect. £2,000 to sort it all out. I’ve never once had any bother with my wisdom teeth and not a scrap of pain so said I’d think about it, which she seemed very concerned I shouldn’t let too much time pass doing. But she couldn’t actually see the roots in the x-rays then?

100% not a scam. Such a pity our dentists and all other medical professionals can be shown such lack of respect in clinical judgement by someone who has presumably not spent years training in this area or speciality. Dr. Google knows best it appears... a waste of NHS funds and time when problems develop later requiring more time and materials to fix rather than nipping them in the bud at an early manageable time! :-(

🤦‍♀️oh dear god, there are lots of different types of dental radiographs. Some views are meant to show roots, others, those taken at timed patient intervals don't show the roots. Look, all this is is evidence-based not merely on a whim of the dentist.

Some radiographs - not bitewings - show roots. I’ve never heard of jaws exploding due to impacted wisdom teeth strangely enough. I’d probably listen to your dentist, after all she/he has trained to be a dentist for a good 5-6 years. At the very least - get a second opinion.

Posts about dentists and teeth make my blood boil. So many people giving dentists a bad name.

@ComtesseDeSpair - did you have an x-ray that travelled all around your head, or ones you bit onto, or did the dentist slide it between your bottom teeth and your tongue?
3 different types that all show very different views.

@BlueUggs - the bitey one and possibly between teen and tongue but I can’t remember exactly. Definitely not a full head one.

There should be no such thing as "routine" dental x rays - they have to be clinically justified. Two years since the last one is not clinical justification. If you have signs of caries then you may get it monitored at some appointments but i would argue with any dentist who told me i needed a routine x ray. Nothing to do with cost - I'm with nhs dentist so intra oral imaging would be included with appointment price. But many dentists are a bit over keen to take images that will have no bearing on their patient's treatment (this is speaking from professional experience, not an uninformed grudge)

I love my dentist. I think my X-rays are three yearly but have quarterly hygienist and sixmonthly dental appointments. (Private - on a plan - well worth the money)

Thing is that the majority of patients are lovely and appreciative of your efforts to do your best for them. However, there are a small minority ( a bit like the OP) who make you wish you'd done a different & easier job for a lot more money than dentistry😡

“But many dentists are a bit over keen to take images that will have no bearing on their patient's treatment (this is speaking from professional experience, not an uninformed grudge)”

I’d be pretty pissed off with any dentist that was taking any radiographs that didn’t need taking. Especially as the ones that would be affected by that (despite it being a small risk) are the dentist themselves and their nurse.

And this is from professional, trained experience too.

They’re not taking them for fun.

At my dentist's office, the dentist and the nurse leave the room when they do x-rays, so I don't think they are putting themselves at risk.

I hate routine x-rays too. The NHS does not keep a register of how many x-rays each individual has. Dental x-rays every couple of years, mammograms, chest x-rays at immigration if you are coming from a country with high levels of TB....they all add up. Then there are diagnostic x-rays if you have broken a bone or have a persistent cough, cosmic radiation from flying, high levels of background radiation if you live near granite or in a high-radon area. I do wonder if the guidelines on recommended frequency of dental x-rays might be updated soon.

article about 6 monthly dental visits

I know, having just asked my colleagues, and including my family, that every single one of the 13 people I have identified are asked to make a 6 monthly appointment with this dental practice.

[[https://www.bda.org/library/student-services/PublishingImages/radiographybundle/RB-Radiog-6.pdf Guidelines on the timing and frequency of bitewing
radiography: a systematic review]]

"Radiography is associated with a radiation
dose and this means that its use must be justified
on an individual basis rather than used indiscriminately.
Justification involves weighing the
potential benefit against the radiation risk, but a
more practical aid is to consider whether a radiographic
examination has a reasonable chance
of changing management of the patient".

I feel 'Oh, Ms Miljah, it's been 3 years since your last xrays! Let's do some more' is a bit 'indiscriminate', actually.

Final note- old style bite wings gave you a way higher dose of radiation than a chest xray since intensifying screens were invented!

I do wonder if the guidelines on recommended frequency of dental x-rays might be updated soon

The regulations relevant to protection of patients from exposure to ionising radiation were updated last year. There are no limits on how many X-rays or other treatments involving ionising radiation a patient can have. They only have to be beneficial and clinically justified.

Dentists follow guidelines that tell them when it is appropriate to take an X-ray, as explained by what looks like a few dentists on this thread.

The above regulations now include a requirement to explain the benefits and risks of having an X-ray taken to patients. The risk is so small that it's really not worth worrying about. About the same as a very short plane flight or less than a day's worth of background radiation exposure.

So pleased to see many people complying with IRMER here! 👌😅

I see a private dentist every 6 months. X rays every 2 years. Hygienist every 6 months too....although she is always a voice of doom and makes me panic a bit even though my teeth are pretty good!