14.1

Importance of Patient Education

As a radiographer, it is essential to be critical as many patients do not understand the importance of dental images and patients who are more educated about comprehensive dental care are more likely to realize the benefits of dental images. It is also important to explain to patients why dental images are essential, how dental images are used, and how dental images benefit the patient.

Patient education enhances understanding, decreases fear of x-ray exposures, increases cooperation, and increases motivation for regular dental visits. Comprehensive dental health education is one of the greatest services that a dental professional can provide to the patient.

Methods of Patient Education

Methods of patient education include oral presentation, printed literature, or a combination of both. Most patients will appreciate the dental radiographer for taking the time to discuss dental images with them and are more likely to trust a dental radiographer.  It shows confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Patients may have many questions regarding dental images. The dental radiographer needs to be fully prepared to answer these types of questions:

• Necessity questions
• Exposure questions
• Safety questions
• Digital Imaging questions
• Miscellaneous questions

However, questions regarding diagnosis should only be answered by the dentist.

Necessity Questions

Patients often ask questions regarding the frequency of dental images. Questions could include:

• Are dental x-rays really necessary?
• How often do I need dental x-ray images?
• How often should children have dental x-ray images?
• Can I refuse x-ray images and be treated without them?
• Instead of taking x-ray images, can you use the dental images from my previous dentist?

In the Iannucci & Howerton, Dental Radiography Principles & Techniques, 6th Edition textbook on pages 134 – 135, refer to the sample answers.

Exposure Questions

Patients often have questions regarding the amount of exposure they are receiving from the dental x-ray images. Questions could include:

• How do you limit my exposure to x-rays?
• Why do you use a lead apron?
• Should I avoid dental x-ray exposure during pregnancy?
• Why do you leave the room when x-rays are used?

In the Iannucci & Howerton, Dental Radiography Principles & Techniques, 6th Edition textbook on pages 134 – 135, refer to the sample answers.

Safety Questions

Patients often have questions regarding how safe x-rays really are. It is important for the dental radiographer to answer these questions as accurately and honestly as possible. Questions could include:

• Are dental x-rays safe?
• Will dental x-rays cause cancer?

In the Iannucci & Howerton, Dental Radiography Principles & Techniques, 6th Edition textbook on page 136, refer to the sample answers.

Digital Imaging Questions

Dental radiographers need to be prepared to answer these questions. Questions could include:

• What are the advantages of digital imaging?
• Are risks associated with digital imaging?

In the Iannucci & Howerton, Dental Radiography Principles & Techniques, 6th Edition textbook on page 136, refer to the sample answers.

Miscellaneous Questions

The dental radiographer must be prepared for any question the patient may ask. Questions could include:

• Can a panoramic x-ray be exposed instead of a complete series?
• Who owns my dental images?

In the Iannucci & Howerton, Dental Radiography Principles & Techniques, 6th Edition textbook on page 136, refer to the sample answers.