South Africa Dental Association Issues Assurance over Safety of X-rays
The South Africa Dental Association has assured members of the public that dental X-rays are safe, following the publication of an American research study, which suggests that dental X-rays increase the risk of a form of brain tumour called meningioma.
The study suggested that patients who had bitewing and Panorex dental X-rays were more likely to develop the tumours, which are usually benign and do not spread.
Dental ombudsman for the South Africa Dental Association, Dr Jeff Michelson, said that the notion was “unfounded” and added that it was important for people to realise that meningioma, the type of tumour mentioned in the research study, is a very rare, non-cancerous type of tumour which develops very slowly and rarely causes any problems.
Dr Michelson also added that modern X-ray equipment uses much smaller amounts of radiation than older X-ray machines.
Representatives from the SADA warned that avoiding dental X-rays could increase the incidence of missed dental conditions.
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