Experts question methodology of study - kypost.com

CINCINNATI - There's a frightening new study in the journal of cancer connecting X-rays with brain tumors.

The study shows people who have dental X-rays at least once a year have a 40 to 90 percent higher chance of developing a meningioma tumor.  The new research shows the risk is even higher in children.

Most meningiomas are usually non-malignant and can cause some serious symptoms, including vision and hearing loss, headaches, seizures and memory loss.  Most meningiomas can be surgically removed.

Researchers asked 1,400 people diagnosed with brain tumors about their dental history as well as a similar sized control group composed of healthy subjects. The group with the tumors were twice as likely to remember having a bitewing X-ray and five times more likely to remember having a panorex film, the kind that sweeps around the head before the age of 10.

We talked to Dr. John Breneman, a professor of radiation oncology and neurosurgery at UC health, about the study. 

"One of the things about this study that is really important is this looks at dental X-rays that were done many years ago.  The technology continues to improve and the exposure a person would get from a dental X-ray today is a lot less than an X-ray 15 to 20 years ago," said Dr. Breneman.
    
However, some health experts criticize the methodology.  ABC's Chief Medical Editor Doctor Richard Besser says we should consider that medical records were not used in the study, that the number of dental X-rays came from memory.  Dr. Besser says you should not be getting X-rays at pre-set intervals.

"I do think that we are getting too many dental X-rays.  Even the America Dental Association says you shouldn't give people X-rays on a set schedule like every year. You should do it based on their age and their dental history.  For example a young child may need a dental X-ray every one to two years.  A healthy adult with no dental problems no more than two to three years many dentist give X-rays every single year," said Dr. Besser.

Dr. Besser suggest you can limit the amount of X-rays you get by asking simply questions:
1. Why am I getting this X-ray?
2. How is it going to change my care?
3. Do I need to get this X-ray every year and is there any way to get the information?

According to Dr. Besser, there have been a lot of studies on over testing this has been another great  example of over testing.  It is over testing clear and simple.

The American Dental Association responded to the study by saying it recommends members to order dental X-rays only when necessary.   

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