Re: Dental radiation risk

["Gibbs, S Julian" <s.julian.gibbs@vanderbilt.edu>]

Insurance companies have been a major factor in requesting 
"administrative use" of x rays, i.e., radiologic exam with 
no health benefit to the subject/patient.  This is now 
regarded as a definite no-no.  There are other ways, such 
as photography, for verification that treatment has been 
provided.
The only justification for deliberate exposure of a patient 
to x ray is reasonable expectation on the part of the 
clinician that the patient will derive a health benefit 
from that exposure.  The one exception is use of x ray in 
medical research, in which case the expectation of benefit 
applies to the population instead of the individual patient.

***********************************************************
S. Julian Gibbs, DDS, PhD               Voice: 615-322-3190
Professor of Radiology                    FAX: 615-322-3764 
Dept. of Radiology & Radiological Sciences
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville TN 37232-2670 Email:s.julian.gibbs@vanderbilt.edu
***********************************************************
The national budget must be balanced. The public debt must 
be reduced; the arrogance of the authorities must be 
moderated and controlled. Payments to foreign governments 
must be reduced, if the nation doesn't want to go bankrupt. 
People must again learn to work, instead of living on 
public assistance.
                  -- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 55 B.C.

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