Imaging for Children Requires Clear Terms, Careful Planning

For those of us who work in pediatric dentistry, we can tell you that children are not just small adults. Instead, children are a special audience, but it is still possible to achieve good quality radiographic images in a child. If a child is reluctant to have the image receptor holding device placed in the mouth, you can put a holder in your own mouth to show them how to do this simple and painless task. Remember, never place the image receptor holder in immediate contact to the teeth because this is where the most sensitive area of the soft tissues is located. Try to hold the image receptor as long as possible parallel to the occlusal surface when inserting it in the patient’s mouth before rotating the holder into the correct position. The x-ray machine should have been placed close to the patient already so as not to waste any time and to get maximum cooperation from the patient. Use the correct words to make sure the patient understands what is expected. To a child, "biting" mean more...