Clinical justification of dental radiology in adult patients: a review of the literature.

Although the radiological doses used by dentists are low individually, patients are often exposed to many repeat dental radiographic examinations. The "routine" use of dental radiography, such as screening of all patients using dental panoramic radiography (DPRs) or a random decision to take a dental radiograph, will inevitable lead to unnecessary patient exposure. The use of Radiographic Referral Criteria has now become a legal requirement for all practitioners following the adoption of European Legislation. All exposures to x-rays should be clinically justified and each exposure should be expected to give the patient a positive net benefit. Recently the European Commission has published guidelines on radiation protection in dental radiology. Guidelines have previously been available in a number of European countries and also within the United States. At the present time, no specific guidelines have been published within Spain. The aim of this review article is to provide the Spanish dentist with guidance as to the appropriateness of different radiographic techniques for a variety of clinical conditions and also the frequency with which they should be taken. It is hoped that this document will act as a useful work tool in daily dental practice.