DENTISTS- any around, and anyone know about X rays?

[BagWoman]

I'm going to change my dentist due to location. Been with previous one for 20 years. Both new and old are private. I have regular check ups and cleans. I have had a few re-fillings of very od fillings - but all ok otherwise.

I am pretty sure that a new dentist will want to carry out X rays ' to see what's going on underneath' is always the reason.

I don't want these- partly because of the unnecessary cost which adds up, but mainly because of the risks with X rays per se, when they are not really necessary.

Can I refuse and would a dentist refuse to accept me as a patient if I refused?

You can refuse, it's not a problem. They do tend to pick up weak enamel/holes/root problems though. Your dentist won't refuse to treat you if you say no.

Do you avoid flying because of the risk of increased radiation?

In any case, they are very useful for spotting early decay and gum disease, they are compulsory for some treatments. I wouldn't be happy taking on a new patient and having no radiographs at all, they help us detect decay and gum disease as well as allowing us to monitor the progression and health of the nerves inside the teeth and rarer issues such as resorption.

Your dentist will have his or her own opinion. You could always pay to have your old ones copied and take them with you?

I avoid unnecessary exposure to radiation MrsMorton. I would rather treat any problems as they arise rather than have unnecessary X rays- at the dentists or anywhere.

I query the logic in having regular treatment / check ups with one dentist- without X rays unless I report a problem- to then being subjected to 'routine' X rays- which is what they amount to- simply because I see someone else 5 miles down the road.

Holes and gum disease are visible without X rays.

I also think dental X rays are outrageously expensive for what they are and a bit of a 'con'.

So you didn't want the opinion of a dentist as per your thread title, you just wanted to complain. That's fine. Good luck with your new dentist.

I'm with you BagWoman. I have refused dental x-rays on several occasions as I think in some practices they are becoming a standard. (I'm a serial ex-pat so live all over the place).

MrsMorton far from reassuring me with your professional opinion, you have made me even more sceptical. Being so aggressive and stroppy simply because I don't agree with your opinion is rather childish IMO.

You haven't addressed the issue of over exposure to X rays- I already have regular mammograms ( am over 50) and I don't want to add to the radiation I receive with X rays that are not essential. I am concerned that the small benefit of possibly spotting a dental problem early, is outweighted by the risks of too many X rays.

You don't seem to want to enter into a real discussion- you seem to want to say your piece- most arrogantly IMO- without addressing my concerns- other than in a rather sarcastic tone.

There are dentists around who simply want to make as much money as possible- 25 years ago one dentist wanted to rip out all my fillings and replace them, saying they were old and no good. I was sceptical and left the practice. My next dentist told me no such thing and bar re-filling of two teeth the old fillings are going strong.

You'd add value to your profession if you weren't so sarcy and a bit more helpful. God knows what you are like when you have a drill in your hand. :(

I have only been x-rayed when I have had tooth ache.

You did ask for a dentist's opinion and mrs Morton gave it. She even suggested taking your old ones with you. They are all digital now, why isn't that a good idea? She's right xrays are very useful diagnostic tools but why not discuss it with your new dentist and get their opinion rather than strangers?

I've changed dentist and didn't need X-rays taken... but in the occasion I did it was worthwhile as I had a curved root which they couldn't see without the X-ray...
but speaking as a radiographer... any X-rays taken have to be justified and would not be taken without need. wether it's paid for or not.. there are very strict guidelines for radiation exposures..
yes your exposed to more radiation whilst in a plane than you are for a chest X-ray.. and then theres the naturaly occurring radiation down in the south west of uk..

the amount of radiation you revive from a dental X-ray is very very low.

Bitdifferent I will discuss of course- but what's the point of a forum per se if we could find the answers in RL . MN may as well shut up shop if we all just talk to real people!

I was coming at this wearing two hats and one of them was cycnical because X rays are expensive- and some ( but not all) dentists do try to make money out of their patients by suggesting things that are not absolutely essential- like 6 monthly check ups when the dental council has said that every 12 months is fine for most adults.

We've just had X-rays as part of our ongoing care (thnk thy do them every 2/3 years) and they where included in the standard NHs fee (iirc £17.50)

The "dental council" has nothing to do with the guidelines that we use. The faculty of general dental practitioners give guidelines that say bite wing radiographs should be taken on a 6 month to 2 yearly basis depending on individual risk factors.

These are all included in your NHS treatment no matter what band of treatment you're having you won't pay more for x rays on the NHS.

I'm reading with interest as my NHS dentist for over 10 years, who then became private, has never taken any X rays, despite my mouthful of ancient fillings.
I used to have dental X rays when I lived overseas, as a matter of course. I have queried this but no one seems concerned. I specifically asked, a few years ago, and they did them and all was well.
Hmm...

NICE has given guidelines on patient recall intervals of between six months and two years, again based on individual risk.

shadow there are reasons why it wouldn't be necessary/appropriate to take radiographs as well so you could ask why the difference?

It's all based on the individual, there is no "rule".