Aspects of panoramic radiography in general dental practice

Objectives To gather information on the types of panoramic x-ray equipment used in NHS dental practice and whether dentists satisfy the legal requirem ents for safety, to determine which practice personnel take panoramic radio graphs and to assess the prevalence of the practice of 'routine' panoramic radiography among NHS dentists. Design Postal questionnaire survey of general dental practitioners carried out during 1997 in selected FHSAs in England and Wales. Results 542 dentists returned the questionnaire, a 73.3% response. Panorami c x-ray equipment ranged in age from 27 years old to new, with 42.2% exceed ing 10 years in age. The overwhelming majority of GDPs satisfied the requir ement for regular maintenance and surveying of equipment. Almost all dentis ts (95.9%) performed a history and clinical examination prior to panoramic radiography but 42% practised 'routine screening' of new adult patients. A substantial proportion (36.7%) of dentists used unqualified personnel to ta ke panoramic radiographs. Conclusions While some aspects of this study give reassurance about the pre valence of good practice, widespread panoramic screening and using unqualif ied staff to take radiographs causes concern. These findings have implicati ons for educators and for those involved in maintaining clinical standards.