NYSED Issues Alert on Shielding for Dental Radiography

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has issued the dental practice alert below reminding all dental professionals that they must use radiation shielding for patients as required by law, notwithstanding studies that may recommend otherwise. 

Professional Practice for Dentists

New York State Education Law Continues to Require Protective Shielding for Dental Radiography

Reviews of recent studies and reports have led researchers to conclude that radiation doses from dentomaxillofacial imaging pose negligible risk.  These studies and reports have led some organizations to recommend the discontinuation of patient shielding during dental X-rays.  Dentists may be reading these studies and reports with interest, as well as with concern regarding how the discontinuation of patient shielding might impact their practices.  However, please note that Education Law §6611(7) still mandates the continued use of protective shielding for dental radiographs: https://www.op.nysed.gov/title8/education-law/article-133.

*Although this law does not specifically state that dental assistants must comply with this requirement, dental assistants operate under the direct personal supervision of a licensed dentist.  Therefore, the Department, in consultation with the New York State Board for Dentistry and upon its recommendation, advises that all individuals taking dental x-rays follow these precautions.