2. X-ray
People who get regular dental X-rays
are more likely to suffer a common
type of brain tumors.
3. FACTS AND STUDIES
• Data from 1,433 US patients who were diagnosed with the
tumors between the ages of ages 20-79.
• Dental patients today are exposed to lower radiation levels
than they were in the past. A m e n i n g i o m a i s a t u m o r t h a t f o r m s i n t h e m e m br a n e a r o u n d t h e b r a i n o r s p i n a l c o r d . M o s t o f t h e t i m e t h e s e t u m o r s a r e b e n i g n a n d s l o w g r o w i n g , b u t t h e y c a n l e a d t o d i s a b i l i t y o r l i f e - t h r e a t e n i n g c o n d i t i o n s .
• A meningioma is a tumor that forms in the membrane around
the brain or spinal cord. These tumors are slow growing, but
they can lead to disability or life-threatening conditions.
4. Dental Patients Today
• Dental patients who are children
should only get 1-2 X-rays every
other year
• The percent of children patients X-
rayed yearly were still low
• Adult dental patients should get X-
rayed every two to three years.
• Teen dental patients should get X-
rayed should have one every 1.5 to
three years.
