New U.S. guidelines for prescribing dental radiographs--a critical review

Most national dental organizations have approved recommendations which set out principles to guide the profession in its use of diagnostic radiation. In 1987, the Center for Device and Radiological Health (an agency of the United States government) published detailed guidelines. This significant initiative should encourage and accelerate the practical application of these principles. In this article, we identify and discuss what we determine to be a major flaw in the guidelines regarding radiography for children in the transitional dentition stage. As well, we have suggested revisions to the guidelines to eliminate some less serious flaws which we believe add unnecessary complexity to the chart.