Just as I thought. There is nothing written in stone about Dental X-ray requirements by my state.
Dental X-ray Laws
X-rays are often a part of dental exams, and while there is no statutory direction as to how often a dentist must take X-rays, there is a general liability issue.
Dentists should take X-rays in a "reasonable" time span to justify that he or she didn't disregard patients' oral health care. A dentist isn't legally required to take X-rays every six months or every year, particularly in patients who generally enjoy good oral health. However, if the dentist doesn't take X-rays and something happens, then he or she will be judged by the standards of the profession which indicate that it is proper to use X-rays for diagnostic purposes; it is difficult to do a thorough diagnosis without taking X-rays at reasonable intervals throughout the patient's "lifetime" at the dental office.
Dentists should take X-rays in a "reasonable" time span to justify that he or she didn't disregard patients' oral health care. A dentist isn't legally required to take X-rays every six months or every year, particularly in patients who generally enjoy good oral health. However, if the dentist doesn't take X-rays and something happens, then he or she will be judged by the standards of the profession which indicate that it is proper to use X-rays for diagnostic purposes; it is difficult to do a thorough diagnosis without taking X-rays at reasonable intervals throughout the patient's "lifetime" at the dental office.
While dental patients have the right to refuse X-rays, the dentists also have the right to set a policy in their office dictating how often they take them for diagnostic purposes. X-rays provide your dentist with a valuable diagnostic tool that helps assess the overall condition of your teeth and their roots, jaw placement and overall composition of your facial bones. X-rays help your dentist see diseases of the teeth and surrounding tissue that cannot be seen with a basic visual oral examination and find and treat dental problems early in their development. This can potentially save you money, unnecessary discomfort and maybe even your life.
If the dentist has a policy that X-rays are to be taken at a given interval, and the patient refuses, the dentist has the right (although he or she may choose not exercise it) to dismiss the patient from his or her practice. The reason for this is that both the patient and dentist should be comfortable with the dentist/patient relationship and, should there be disagreement on fundamental treatment, then both parties would be better served in an environment where they both are comfortable.
--pepindds.com
--pepindds.com
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I took exception to my Dentist's requirement that I have a full-mouth, panoramic dental x-ray ... which in reality is 17 X-rays of my teeth. It's been a couple of years, says he. As far as I knew, my teeth and gums were fine. I had no cavities, toothaches nor open sores. So, why not do the simple, twice-yearly dental cleaning without me having to compromise my health via radiation, for pete's sake?!! Office overhead $$$ getting a bit too much for you, Mr Dentist-with-the-expensive-indoor-waterfall?!!
Still, I am grateful to live in this beautiful, clean country of the U.S. of A! Watch the dental video below from India. It'll make you either wince, gag, cry, laugh. Maybe all 4.
Dentists' Office on the Streets of India:
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