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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To not let the dentist xray DD at a check up?

46 replies

SoSoMamanBebe · 10/09/2012 07:47

She's 6 and had an xray 6 months ago at the same dentists as she was claiming a sore tooth (twas a school avoidance ruse!).

The assistant got cross with me this time when I had refused, explaining that if the dentist needed to see something more clearly then perhaps, but certainly not as a default. She mumbled something about 'digital' not radiation and then got the dentist.

Then the dentist came in did a rapid check, said 'All fine, see her in 6months, when she WILL need an xray' and walked out. Not entirely making me want to take DD back.

Do dentists need to xray children every six months and is there any reason to think this could harm them?

OP posts:

YouOldSlag · 10/09/2012 08:16

But she had an xray six months ago- surely she has been fine since and you had plenty of time to look up risks after that but didn't? If she had one six months ago, it's hardly being caught on the hop.

b) if it's a money spinner- ask how much it will cost. If it's included in the appointment fee you may as well.

c) There's standing up for your rights and then there's refusing to take medical advice and wanting to go elsewhere rather than talk it through with the dentist.

Northernlurkerisbackatwork · 10/09/2012 08:16

The money spinner thing is inetresting. My mum's old private dentist was much keener on x-rays after he moved practice to be independant. As an aside he later went to prison for defrauding the NHS, saying he'd done treatments when he hadn't.

missmartha · 10/09/2012 08:16

My dentist is private too. I reckon they only insist on routine x-rays to bump up the fee.

I don't like that.

Original poster

SoSoMamanBebe · 10/09/2012 08:21

YouOldSlag If there isn't a problem why conduct an xray? Surely no xray is better than not if there is no underlying issue? She hadn't had an xray previously at our last location's dentist and so I had no reason to suppose she would have one at this appointment. I don't have an x-ray everytime I go to the dentist.

It's not included in the appointment fee and costs £50.

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 10/09/2012 08:21

I'd change your dentist then if you don't trust them. Mine never gives routine anything.

ArthurShappey · 10/09/2012 08:22

I don't know if I'm repeating anyone but... Under IRMER 2000 regulations all radiation medical exposure must be justified, so ask the dentist what his justification is, why she/he feels it's the only option in your daughter's case. The dose she receives must be ALARP (As Low As Reasonably Practicable) so ask him what methods he will go to to ensure this.

To be honest the radiation dose is very low. And the risk is negligible. Most radiation safety experts would actually say there is no risk at all (in terms of other risks). I won't quote you the radiation dose of flying to e.g. the USA because I can't remember it off the top of my head, but your DC are exposed to radiation (background and cosmic) and depending on where you live and how often you fly you may receive more dose just from existing than you would from a dental X-ray. But you are entitled to have concerns where your 6 year old is concerned so make sure she/he addresses them.

Northernlurkerisbackatwork · 10/09/2012 08:26

£50 for a child's x-ray is excessive. Change dentist!

ArthurShappey · 10/09/2012 08:27

To be honest if you ask your dentist about IRMER (ionising radiations (medical exposures) regulations 2000). They should be able to discuss this with you. Obviously you can't accuse them of just trying to make money out of you.

If they genuinely feel your daughter needs an X-ray they should be able to explain to you why.

Original poster

SoSoMamanBebe · 10/09/2012 08:30

arthur thank you for all that info.

OP posts:

princessnumber2 · 10/09/2012 08:32

I meant OTT on a regular basis as standard. It's obviously not always necessary as some dentists only do it if they think there might be a problem.

My dd loves the dentist and I think regular x rays might have scared her off a bit.

YouOldSlag · 10/09/2012 08:32

Well If it's £50 then I would ask for a reason. Fair enough.

ArthurShappey · 10/09/2012 08:37

No problem.

But can I also add if a medical professional told me my child required diagnostic radiation exposure I would consent, if I was happy myself that they are able to explain their justification (I don't have to understand their justification as such but I would want it explained to me).

ReallyTired · 10/09/2012 08:48

I think £50 for an xray is astronomical. I think you are better with a treatment plan. The great thing about a treatment plan is that it encourages preventative medicine.

We have private dentistry for the children and we pay into a health plan a set amount a year regardless whether the children need treatment or not. Ds is seen by the hygienist and dentist twice a year and all fluoride mouth wash, treatment, sealents, X rays, diet analysis is included in the cost at £200ish per year. Ds had the dental hygienist teach him how to brush his teeth well.

Ds has only ever had one x ray at the private dentist and there was definate justification as he did have tooth decay in a baby tooth.

diddl · 10/09/2012 09:57

But if she had an xray 6months ago for a pretend problem, why would she need another if there still isn´t a problem?

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 10/09/2012 12:13

she didnt have an Xray 6 months ago as the OP refused

vodkaanddietirnbru · 10/09/2012 12:17

she did have an x-ray 6 months ago as per her first line in her first post:

She's 6 and had an xray 6 months ago at the same dentists as she was claiming a sore tooth (twas a school avoidance ruse!).

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 10/09/2012 12:26

ok, that was just a bit confusing

Xayide · 10/09/2012 12:56

My NHS dentist says it now considered good practice to x-ray every 2 years.

I was a bit taken back in regards to DC - could understand for DH and me as now at age where problems can arise.

VodkaJelly · 10/09/2012 14:06

But did you tell the dentist that DD only pretended to have a sore tooth to get off school? If you didnt then he could be x-raying her again to check that nothing else has changed to set the tooth off hurting again.

ArthurShappey · 10/09/2012 17:33

Xayide I need to check because I'm not sure what your dentist is saying is entirely legal. To routinely X-ray every 2 years is essentially diagnostic X-ray exposure for screening purposes. Okay for mammography when there is justification for screening especially in high risk patients, but I'm not sure dental diagnostic X-ray screening is ever justifiable. I can find out for you tomorrow.

MrsRobertDuvallHasRosacea · 10/09/2012 17:41

I don't get charged to have an x ray at my dentist.

Ds had one as his front canine wasn't coming through, then had to go to orthodontist for a more specialised one.

I have no problems with x rays or my children having one.

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