ADA Radiology Guidelines
Recommendations for Prescribing Dental Radiographs
These recommendations are subject to clinical judgment and may not apply to every patient. They are to be used by dentists only
Type of Encounter
|
Patient Age and Dental Developmental Stage |
| Child with Primary Dentition (prior to eruption of first permanent tooth) |
Child with Transitional Dentition (after eruption of first permanent tooth) |
Child with Permanent Dentition (prior to eruption of first permanent tooth) |
Adult, Dentate or Partially Edentulous |
Adult, Edentulous |
| New Patient* being evaluated for oral diseases |
Individualized radiographic exam consisting of |
Individualized radiographic exam consisting of |
Individualized radiographic exam consisting of |
Individualized radiographic exam, based on clinical signs and symptoms. |
| Recall Patient* with clinical caries or at increased risk for caries** |
Posterior bitewing exam |
Posterior bitewing exam at 6-18 month intervals |
Not applicable |
| Recall Patient* with no clinical caries and not at increased risk for caries** |
Posterior bitewing exam |
Posterior bitewing exam at 18-36 month intervals |
Posterior bitewing exam at 24-36 month intervals |
Not applicable |
| Recall Patient* with periodontal disease |
Clinical judgment as to the need for and type |
Not applicable |
| Patient (New and Recall) for monitoring of dentofacial growth and development, and/or assessment of dental/skeletal relationships |
Clinical judgment as to need for and type of radiographic |
Clinical judgement as to need for and type of radiographic images |
Usually not indicated for monitoring of growth and development. Clinical |
| Patient with other circumstances including, but not limited to, proposed or existing implants, other dental and craniofacial pathoses, restorative/endodontic needs, treated periodontal disease and caries remineralization |
Clinical judgment as to need for and type of radiographic images for evaluation and/or monitoring of these conditions |
Approval
It is Clinic Policy for all Diagnostic Radiographs to be approved within MiPACS AT THE TIME OF SERVICE. If not accomplished at the time of service, Approval should be accomplished within 48 hours.
If you have outstanding unapproved radiographs that are older than 48 hours, the new policy as of summer 2016 states that you will be LOCKED OUT from exposing new radiographs!!
Why this change?
- Medicolegal confusion in date of service versus date of completion
- Financial confusion with patients and lack of ability to bill for service that has not been completed & approved
- Resulting decrease in Clinic Revenue!!
*Clinical situations for which radiographs may be indicated include, but are not limited to:
- Pervios periodontal or endodontic treatment
B. Positive Clinical Signs/Symptoms
- Clinical evidence of periodontal disease