Patient management in dental
radiology
Before exposures
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Obtain informed consent
Explain procedures to the patient
Be confident
Be compassionate as patients may have
had a bad experience before
Before exposure- some “DOs”
• Make settings on machine before placing
film in patient’s mouth
• Ask patient to remove all intraoral objects
and eyeglasses
Before exposure-some “Do not”s
for intraoral radiographs
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Don’t use the word ”Hurt”
Don’t say “Ooops” if you make a mistake
Don’t pickup anything you drop on floor
Don’t start the exposures in the molar area
Don’t position the film on a torus
Cont’d
• Follow a definite order or sequence in
placing and exposing films
• Align the BID with the aiming ring of the
film holder
• Ask the patient not to move
What can you do to reduce gagging
• Start with films in the anterior region
• Tell the patient that the gagging may occur
and that everything will be OK
• Remedies for gagging:
- Topical on tongue or palate
- Put some salt on tongue
- Distract the patient
Dental radiographs have a highperceived risk but low-actual risk
• Personal risk form dental radiographs is
less than driving to appointment
• FMX with E films is equivalent to 3 days of
background radiation exposure
Patient refuses x-rays due to fear
of radiation
• Explain to patient that the doses of
radiation are small compared to the
BENEFIT of diagnosing problems
• Explain that the doctor cannot give a full
exam without the x-rays
• Postpone x-rays during pregnancy