Possible health risks of exposure to low-dose radiation in children, who appear to be more at risk than adults, include parotid, bone marrow, and thyroid cancer.22 Even though there is no conclusive evidence that the small, infrequent doses of radiation from dental radiographs increase risk of malignant disease, unnecessary radiation to the patient should be avoided, and care used to reduce radiation exposure if radiography is necessary.2,23 This can include use of a thyroid shield, use of a rectangular collimation which limits the shape of the X-ray beam and reduces radiation exposure by 50%, or use of the fastest film type (the F-type) or digital radiography.2
