Re[3]: unuseful dental x-ray

[Steven.Rima@DOEGJPO.COM (Steven Rima)]

     Let's keep some perspective in this discussion. First, from my 
     experience in doing consulting with dentists on radiation safety 
     issues, they do not have any requirement regarding ALARA for patients. 
     Second, ALARA is supposed to balance benefit versus risk. Benefit does 
     not have to be medical, it can also be monetary, as Bob Flood already 
     noted.
     
     Third, and most important in my opinion, a typical AP or PA dental 
     x-ray results in only a few mrem effective dose equivalent to the 
     patient. If we are going to worry about an exposure of less than 10 
     mrem, and try to apply the ALARA concept, we are guilty of doing what 
     we complain about the regulatory agencies doing. What is the REAL risk of 5 
     - 10 mrem to try to apply ALARA??? Personally, I don't worry about any 
     single exposure under 10 mrem, unless I get LOTS of them. :-)
     
     Steven D. Rima, CHP
     Manager, Health Physics and Industrial Hygiene
     MACTEC-ERS, LLC
     steven.rima@doegjpo.com

______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re[2]: unuseful dental x-ray
Author:  Kim D Merritt <kdmerri@sandia.gov> at Internet
Date:    10/28/97 3:25 PM


     
     Remember though that the picture could be of anybody's mouth.  An 
     x-ray would uniquely identify your mouth.  Not that I think that this 
     is a good practice.
     
     
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: unuseful dental x-ray
Author:  SPenning@aol.com at hubsmtp 
Date:    10/28/97 2:04 PM
     
     
I would have refused having the exam and found a new dentist if the dentist 
couldn't give me a better explanation.  If he truly needed such evidence, I 
would think a photograph would have served the same purpose.