Evaluation of the requests for radiographs received by dental radiologic clinic

Abstract

The aim of this study was to eva- luate the requests for radiographs received by a Dental Radiologic Cli- nic during the first semester of 1997. Copy of the radiographic written reports and the purpose of the radio- graphic examination were analyzed, and it was observed that the patient selection criteria for radiographic examination were followed for pa- noramic, lateral cephalometric and periapical radiographs. Most of the patients submitted to radiographic examination were women and most of the professionals who ordered for radiographic examination were men; the specialty that requested more radiographic examinations was Orthodontics followed by Oral Surgery. Then, it was concluded that the patient selection criteria for radiographic examination must be more divulged and be a part of the curriculum of the Dental Scho- ols all over the country, because of its efficacy and its benefits for patients. Key words: patient selection, ra- diograph, panoramic radiograph, dental radiograph.