Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which u
ntrained, unlicensed, and unregulated auxiliary dental personnel are permit
ted by law to expose radiographs.
Study design. A survey questionnaire was mailed to the agencies regulating
dental practice of the 50 US and 3 regional jurisdictions. Information was
requested regarding agency laws regulating who was permitted to prescribe d
ental radiographs, who was permitted tu expose dental radiographs, and who,
if anyone, was specifically prohibited.
Results. Survey data show that 47.3% of the US population live in jurisdict
ions thai have no regulations prohibiting untrained, unregulated auxiliary
denial personnel from exposing patients to ionizing radiation.
Conclusions, The clinical implications for private dental practice in this
era of expanding use of auxiliary personnel are that the need exists for in
creased training and formal licensing of all auxiliary personnel involved i
n dental radiography.