Patient management in dental radiology
Before exposures
• 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
• 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 high-perceived 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
Top Related