Is CBCT a must for the dental office?

Authors:

ABSTRACT

Editorial

The question is whether a CBCT machine is necessary in the dental office. Setting aside the important aspect of the financial resources of both the dentist and the patient, there is still doubt about the need for a cone-beam CT system within the practice.
The possibility to perform an immediate second-level radiological examination is an unquestionable benefit for both the dentist and the patient, but it’s also a luxury that (at least in Italy) obligates compliance with provisions, national and regional laws, as well as circulars and regulations. It’s here, in the seemingly endless authorization requirements, training, continued education, informed consent and competence limits, that the average Italian dentist loses his way, as the path is not straightforward.
The quest for the perfect CBCT protocol requires dental professionals to go back to square one, which is the question: “To have or not to have?”. In the case of young patients, protection from unnecessary radiation is even more important. In Italy, this complex matter is regulated by the Ministry of Health through special guidelines aimed at growing subjects [2017]. These guidelines require adaptation of work practices and retention of documents (such as internal processes, patient information notes, informed consent, technical documentation, etc.), in addition to the ability to show documentary evidence of appropriate, complementary, contextual, integrated and undeferrable diligent application of the above.
I do believe in the importance of reflecting on the cost-benefit aspect in order to decide whether having CT Cone Beam Scanning capabilities in the dental office is worth the trouble!
In conclusion: yes or no to CBCT? To each his own opinion. In this respect, I’d like to ask my colleagues what the status is in their countries regarding this important topic.
Is the CBCT use widespread in dental practices, are there any guidelines in place for each country?
I’ll look forward to your input and insights, which we will gladly publish in our journal!

Reference

Ministry of Health. National Guidelines for Dental Diagnostic Imaging in the Developmental Age. 2017.
https://www.salute.gov.it/imgs/C_17_pubblicazioni_2690_ulterioriallegati_ulterioreallegato_0_alleg.pdf
https://www.salute.gov.it/imgs/C_17_pubblicazioni_2690_allegato.pdf

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