I like to give the patient examples of comparisons:
4 bitewings: 79 times less radiation than a year of background radiation from the environment
4 bitewings = 0.5 mrem of radiation, in comparison:
flying in a plane: 5 mrem
1 mrem/year from a smoke detector
10 mrem/year cooking on natural gas stove
10 mrem/year living in a brick house
36 mrem/year smoking a pack of cigarettes per day
2 mrem/year sleeping next to your spouse
Even eating a banana gives you more mrems than dental X-rays!
I explain to my patients that radiographs today are not the same as they once were. Technology has evolved and now especially with digital radiographs the amount of radiation we are exposed to for routine exams is less than walking outside in the sun. I also explain how important it is to diagnose caries early in order to reduce larger issues from arrising 🙂 its all about explaining the benefits and its all about being preventive while still understanding and making them feel as if their concerns are heard.
Always compare to the a Sun!!! The Sun fixes everything!!! ☀️ Can you tell we’ve had a long winter!!!
I tell them that with digital X-Rays the radiation is MUCH less then with the standard X-Rays. I also tell them they probably get more radiation flying.
I was nervous about X rays myself, because I worked in a practice with the hand held Nomad. I couldn’t leave the room & I felt I needed to get a lead apron for myself. After much research & speaking with several radiologist my fears were gone. Radiation to a digital FMX is equivalent to eating a banana. Even with traditional X ray exposure, it is extremely low due to increased speed of the film. What is considered really low exposure is a chest X rays & dental X rays aren’t anywhere close to that. For every 2 hours you fly in a plane you get a chest X rays worth of radiation. Pilots aren’t showing any signs of excessive radiation so I think we are all going to be ok.
The best is when they are concerned about radiation exposure but they are super tan. I of course do all the explaining and comparisons, and then make them sign the chart if they don’t want them.
I tell patients that digital X-rays give off a lot less radiation than standard. I also say you get more radiation from your microwave or being out in the sun.
I tell them they get less radiation from four BW than they do from being in the sun. I also explain benefits of BW for a complete exam.
I say that the new digital sensors cut the radiation to one third that needed for the films used in the past, and also use environmental exposure and flying references. Most people just want to be heard and if they are at low risk for caries we discuss adjusting the time interval to suit the patient’s needs.
I agree with all if the above comments. But I have never heard the banana theory. Cute and funny. I need to research so I can be knowledgeable about it. I would love to use that one!
See table 1 under the pedrad.org site below
Table 1. Comparison of Radiation Effective Dose from Various Dental and Medical Image Procedures to Natural Background Radiation
I educate them how advanced digital technology is and how low the exposure is, less than being outside, microwave, cell phone usage!
I cringe when patients ask this question. I tell them digital is so much better. I too say that it’s less than being out in the sun for an hour.
I use the sun, flying and brick house. (I live in a brick house and wonder how much I am really getting 🙂 I stay away from numbers because I can’t remember them all. Banana??? that is a new one. Thanks for the link Hygenius.
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Please send me the link or resource for this information. Thank you. Jane Weiner,RDH
Jane
I would also like the link or resource for this information. Thank you, Gina Foster, RDH
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