My chosen dentist referred me for dental X-rays. I went to ZD Kranj. When I entered the room, the radiology technician gave me a lead apron to put on. I asked how large a dose in mS I would receive, but she looked at me in surprise and said that she did not know, that she was not a physicist, and that the machine would show it after the imaging. I asked about the instructions for the imaging procedure and whether they had any brochure for patients, but she said they did not, and she did not want to explain it either. When I nevertheless insisted, she reluctantly told me that the head is positioned in the middle of the machine and the rays travel around the head and take images... and added, with some irritation, that other patients were waiting outside and that she was wasting time with me.
Because of the lack of requested information, I refused the imaging. She wrote "refused imaging" on the referral and gave it to me to sign. I told the lady I would sign only if she added that she had not wanted to provide the requested information, but she did not respond to that at all.
It would be right for patients to be informed about the procedure beforehand. We cannot simply place our heads into a machine without information...
Question: do you think patients are entitled to ask and find out what I describe, from their dentist or on site before the procedure?
Dentist Tomaž Rotar answers:
Dear Sir/Madam!
Considering that you found our website, I am sure you will also find precise answers to your question on the same site. The received doses are minimal and negligible compared with other harmful influences encountered in normal life. Digital radiology, such as that used in Kranj, is even safer in this respect than conventional analog radiology. In addition, the information obtained from the imaging is more reliable. Nevertheless, even an apparently trivial healthcare service is a double-edged sword, and it is certainly right that you inform yourself about it. I also support your personal decision, because you are primarily responsible for your own health. You also decide on subsequent procedures for which X-ray imaging is a fundamental examination. Professional doctrine requires the dentist to perform basic diagnostic procedures that must be followed, because without them the dentist cannot continue the work. Your question is primarily a matter of trust in the therapist. If that trust is absent, then for the good of both of you I ask you to find another one.