Incidence of dental radiographic procedures during a 48-month population-based study of dentate adults.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this population-based study was to quantify the incidence of radiographic procedures and the intervals between radiographic exposures.


METHODS
The Florida Dental Care Study was a prospective cohort study of a representative sample of dentate adults. In-person interviews and dental examinations were conducted at baseline, with subsequent interviews every 6 months during 48 months of follow-up. Dental record information was abstracted afterward.


RESULTS
Thirteen percent of all dental procedures, and 42% of all diagnostic procedures, were radiographic. Annual person-level incidence of receipt of any radiograph was 48%. Incidence of specific types of radiographic procedures ranged from 5% to 30%. Among the 45% of the sample population who had had more than 1 bitewing procedure, 70% of the intervals between bitewing exposures were 1 year or longer. Receiving more than 1 full-mouth series or panoramic radiographic in any 24-month period was very rare.


CONCLUSIONS
Annual incidence of radiographic procedures was substantially higher than the incidence reported in previous studies based on responses by dentists to hypothetical situations, but was stable during the 4 years of follow-up. On the basis only of intervals between exposures, and not of clinical status on the day of service, there was no substantial evidence of inappropriately frequent radiographic examinations.
Gilbert
Gregg H
GH
Department of Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 35294-0007, USA. ghg@uab.edu
Weems
Richard A
RA
Shelton
Brent J
BJ
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016300:Radiography, Bitewing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011861:Radiography, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013997:Time Factors