Each digital shot is about 75% less of the standard cone beam x-ray. You would think that the lower dose would benefit everyone operating and receiving an x-ray, but we are seeing higher exposures to both patients and x-ray technicians. There are at least 2 reasons for this phenomenon: 1. Taking digital x-rays is technique sensitive, and it is common for the technician to have to shoot 4-5 retakes. This overexposes patients to more than standard x-ray radiation. (Relate this information with your own digital camera. Because it is so easy to retake photos we take a lot more shots with our digital cameras than we did with our old film cameras). 2. Even though digital is “safer” than standard x-rays, there is no “safe” dose of radiation. However, because they believe the lower doses will not adversely affect their health, technicians are staying in the room with the patients (something few would do with standard x-rays) and clicking the button again, and again, and again which exposes them to more radiation than ever.
A simple solution to knowing if patient and dental office staff are being over exposed to radiation is to use radiation monitors. High tech x-ray badges are now available to provide exposure doses instantly with USB computer connection built into the badge. In the dental office or at home, the wearer can check their radiation via a website as often as they like to insure their environment is safe, and or that they have been following safe operating procedures.
I have seen monthly technician exposure reports with readings higher than the total annual allowable employee exposure allowed by OSHA. The State of Maryland reported that this phenomenon is causing “undue exposure for the public.” Some States (like CA, CO, NC) have required anyone using x-ray equipment to have a Radiation Safety Program in place. We have heard news about medical radiation overdoses sickening and even killing patients. Tanning lights, cell phones, microwaves, and other radiation producing gadgets are reported to cause cancer and other radiation induced diseases. Recently, a man with cancer in his salivary gland filed a lawsuit against his dentist because he believed he over radiated him with unnecessary x-rays. Here is his story…
'[Dick Handscombe from London was diagnosed with cancer of the salivary glands in 1993 after having multiple x rays as a child and adult. He has no doubt that unmonitored, repeat x rays are dangerous. “I used to have X rays all the time, if you went for a filling it was unlikely that you didnt have an X ray” he says. It wasn't until 1993 when he was waking every morning with a mouthful of blood and could feel a lump in his mouth that he was referred to a specialist who confirmed that he had cancer of the salivary gland. One of the first questions the doctor asked Dick was how many X rays he had had as a child. Exposure, particularly in childhood, is an acknowledged risk factor for thyroid cancer. Cancer survivor Dick believes that the risk of repeated unprotected dental X rays is too great. After two rounds of surgery to remove a tumour from his salivary gland and surrounding lymph nodes, he was given the all clear and advised to refuse dental X rays in the future. We spoke with Dick about ht edander of cummulative radiation, its implications for patients as well as dental staff and how we can protect ourselves using radiation monitoring badges.
Are you currently seeking legal compensation from your dentist for what has happened to you?
I could but I believe the radiation accumulated from decades of dentist visits. I was visiting doctors years ago who were using 1940s technology, there is no one dentist who can be blamed for this, since I have probably visited nine separate dentists throughout the course of my life when living and working in various different places. The cancer built up over these years as my X ray exposure went unmonitored.
If you had had the option as a patient to wear an x ray monitoring badge to all your dental visits, would you have accepted it?
Absolutely. X ray monitoring badges are a great idea. This would be ideal for patients.
Do you think dental radiation monitoring services should be pushed to the greater public, not just dental assistants and dentists themselves?
Dentist now claim there is a very low risk of harmful radiation with the newest machines and technology, but then observe that they still do not stay in the room themselves when they are taking x rays since radiation is cummulative , but why should this differ for a patient who has to make multiple visits a year to a dentist? So yes, patients should wear these badges as well, but ultimately its the dentists decision if they purchase and use this safety device.
Do you think that dentist using digital xrays are posing a greater risk to the general public?
There is a lot of proof that radiation can affect you, so yes. The fact that you can click a hundred times and think its safe because its digital is absurd, no amount is safe.
how is your current health, are you feeling better? Have you received treatment already?
My health is currently good, I have now avoided having x rays for 17 years. I have just celebrated my fifth year of cancer survival and am looking forward to taking my first pension.
Additional sources: The Daily Mail Health June 8 2010
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