Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 19, 2026

Making MR Imaging Child's Play - Pediatric Neuroimaging Protocol, Guidelines and Procedure
Published on: July 30, 2009
Prescription of Panoramic Radiographs in Children: A Health Services Assessment of Current Guidelines
Juan F Yepes1, Elizabeth Powers2, Tim Downey3
1School of Dentistry, Indiana University, Riley Hospital for Children, Indianapolis, Ind., USA. jfyepes@iupui.edu.
Purpose:
To (1) determine adherence to guidelines when prescribing panoramic radiographs (PR) for patients 18 y.o. and younger; and 2) compare PR prescriptions between general dentists (GPs) and pediatric dentists (PDs).
Methods:
A retrospective analysis of insurance claims included codes for PRs and associated codes for two cities between 2008 and 2015. Chi-square tests ascertained the likelihood of a PR being associated within three days of routine exams.
Results:
A total of 81,699 pediatric patients were seen by 2,077 GPs and 103 PDs. There were 11,993 PRs, 119,068 routine exams (7,343 associated with a PR), 13,819 orthodontic procedures (378 associated with a PR), 798 third molar procedures (172 associated with a PR), and 16,636 procedures for acute problems (1,670 associated with a PR). Patients aged eight years old and younger had the largest discrepancy between GPs and PDs. GPs prescribed proportionally more films in patients five years old and younger, but PDs prescribed more in seven and eight year olds. Nine- to 18 year olds. had more similar patterns between GPs and PDs, except for 14- to 15 year olds, when GPs prescribed more.
Conclusions:
GPs prescribed PR in patients younger than five years old more often and were somewhat less likely to follow guidelines.
Related Concept Videos
Radiological Investigation I: X-ray and CT
Imaging Studies I: CT and MRI
Description of the Procedures
Computed Tomography (CT) scan:
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use X-ray technology to generate detailed images of bones, organs, and tissues. During the scan, the patient lies on a moving table...
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
Radiological Investigation III: Pulmonary Angiogram and PET Scan
Pulmonary Angiogram
A Pulmonary Angiogram is an invasive procedure involving injecting a contrast medium through a catheter threaded into the pulmonary artery or the right side of the heart to visualize the pulmonary vasculature. Computed Tomography (CT) scans have mainly replaced this...
Legal Guidelines for Documentation
X-ray Imaging

