dental x-rays?

[stafl]

Ok, so I had my teeth cleaned this morning. Hygenist says it's time for x-rays and I politely refuse. She got mad at me, and threatened me that if I didn't get x-rays next time, they would refuse to clean my teeth. Then she goes into a long spiel about how dentist could be liable if he said nothing was wrong, and there really was something wrong they didn't know about that the x-ray would have shown.

well, that's all fine and well, but I have perfect teeth. I have only ever gotten one filling (last year, at the age of 34), and that was a "surface occlusion" in the crown of one of my molars, not a cavity. The x-ray would look just like all the other x-rays they've ever taken of my teeth. Besides, I'm not so sure of the safety (I am breastfeeding) - I mean, if they are so safe, why does the hygenist leave the room when she turns the machine on?

What would you do? I so want to write a letter or talk with my dentist about how the hygenist got nasty with me, when I am certain it is my right as the patient to refuse expensive procedures that I feel aren't needed.
anyone have info on the safety of x-rays?

[Blowfish]

I would of course get the x-ray.
They are harmless unless you are exposed to them all the time, which is why we see professionals take precautions.

[momto l&a]

I wouldn’t get the x-ray either. The reason being I cant remember where I read but anyway the gist of the article was the most x-rays today are low dose which is kind of bad because our cells don’t realize they have been harmed and thus don’t die off and continue on with their life even though they are damaged. I do so wish I could remember the article better. : and where I read it.

It’s your body thus I feel you should take responsibility for it, if you don’t want x-rays that Hygienist should respect your wish/demands.

I do so hate when health professionals try to cram their wishes down our throats. :

Edited to add that if x-rays are so "harmless" then why do they drape our bodies with a lead apron

[stafl]

Originally Posted by Blowfish

I would of course get the x-ray.
They are harmless unless you are exposed to them all the time, which is why we see professionals take precautions.

Care to elaborate? Why would you get the x-ray? Just because they may be safe isn't a good enough reason to me to have it done.

Two things (besides the questionable safety factor) make me hesitant. First is that I don't have any sort of history of dental problems, and I had an x-ray last year sometime. Second is because of how the hygenist threatened me. I have half a mind to find a new dentist, even though this is the only dentist I have ever seen, and I really like him (in spite of my extreme fear and anxiety of doctors of any sort). I mean, I just went in for them to clean my teeth. Maybe I'll go back to seeing the dentist once every three or four years like I used to before getting insurance.

[TiredX2]

I would clarify with the dentist, first, the actual policy.

I would complain about the rudeness no matter what.

If he is insistent that he cannot see you w/out x-rays I would seek another dentist. That is just more coercion that I would want to deal w/in a doctor.