Oral radiographic screening in Danish children

The aim of the present study was to ascertain frequency and type of radiographic screening in the Danish Dental Service for children. A 5-item questionnaire was sent to each department of public dentistry in the 275 communities of Denmark. A total of 269 questionnaires were returned, four unanswered. Radiographic screening examinations were done on 162 respondents. Of these, 25% had bitewing screening and 25% panoramic screening. Two types of routine radiographic examinations were performed on more than one third of the respondents. The most frequent combination for screening radiography was bitewing and panorama. Even though the risks included in the use of ionizing radiation for dental screening purposes may be considered negligible, it is still ethically correct to avoid unnecessary exposure by a careful selection of patients prior to radiography. As economic support for dental health care had been cut, the radiographic screening procedure must prove itself to be cost/effective to be kept unchanged.