X-Rays
Dear doc.
Last week I went to see a new dentist. I basically just wanted a cleaning but they were advertising a special that included and exam and cleaning. When I got to the office I was informed I would be required to have x-rays taken in order to get my cleaning and exam. When I refused they told me that American Dental Association mandated it. I felt I was being scammed for an extra $75 so I left. Isn't that a lot for x-rays? What's the story; does the ADA require the dentist to take x=rays in order to have a cleaning and exam?
Thanks Phil
Phil the American Dental Association does get involved in the development of the “parameters of dental care”. However it does not have any legal jurisdiction in the actual practice of dentistry. There is no requirement that a dentist be a member of the ADA, membership is purely voluntary. The practice of dentistry is regulated by the state under the auspices of the Dental Board Of California. The actual laws are found in the dental practice act.
The way in which your dentist operates his practice is largely at his or her discretion. The dental practice act does not dictate how actual procedures are to be preformed. The general rule is, a procedure must be preformed within the “standards of care”. If the standard of care in your area requires x-rays be taken for a specific procedure and your dentist ignores the standard, he or she could be held legally at fault, should a problem arise.
A common problem that might arise if a dentist didn’t take x-rays is failure to diagnose a serious problem that could only be diagnosed with the aid x-rays. Many times patients assume since they are not experiencing any symptoms, that they are in fact, free of oral disease. This in fact may not be the case! Many times decay, abscesses and bone loss are asymptomatic. On a more serious note, I have seen patients in my practice that were symptom free, yet with the aid of dental x-rays, and a thorough oral exam, cancer was detected.
The seventy-five dollar charge for full-mouth x-rays is well within the norm for area.
You did not mention whether or not the ad stated that x-rays would be required at an extra charge, if not I feel the ad is misleading. Medically speaking I don’t feel your new dentist was scamming you. It is in the patients’ best interest to have x-rays taken, to facilitate a complete and thorough exam.
Better Smiles for all,
John J. Russo DDS
