In 2024, the ADA released new evidence-based recommendations for radiation safety in dentistry.
These recommendations included the following guidance (Excerpt from JADA article published April 2024) :
…thyroid collars are no longer recommended for any imaging modality. Thyroid collars and abdominal (gonadal) shielding can introduce artifacts by blocking the primary beam, potentially resulting in additional radiographs being taken, and do not protect against internal scatter radiation. Patient radiation doses can be minimized most effectively with proper use of rectangular collimation, optimal patient positioning during imaging procedures, and implementing appropriate dose-reduction procedures.
In dentistry, appropriate selection of patients for imaging and rectangular collimation when taking intraoral radiographs offer the best protection against radiation exposure to the thyroid, when combined with guiding principles of radiation safety. Patient thyroid shielding during diagnostic intraoral, panoramic, cephalometric, and CBCT imaging no longer should be used in routine practice for pediatric or adult patients. As necessary, federal, state, and local regulations and guidance should be revised to remove any actual or implied requirement for routine protective shielding for intraoral, panoramic, cephalometric, and CBCT imaging.
In adherence to this new evidence and guidance, Willamette Dental will no longer use lead aprons for dental x-rays.
Learn more about this research.
Willamette Dental adheres to all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, and practices the guiding principle for the safe use of radiograph-based imaging (X-rays) – the ALARA principle, As Low As Reasonably Achievable. This means that patients are exposed to the lowest dose of radiation possible for the shortest possible exposure time.
We also use rectangular collimation, which is a key recommendation from the American Dental Association (ADA) to minimize radiation exposure. Rectangular collimation reduces the X-ray beam to focus on the specific area needed for diagnosis and can reduce radiation exposure significantly.
