Dental x-rays linked to thyroid cancer

Routine use of dental x-rays as part of a routine dental consultation is being questioned following research which suggests repeated x-rays of the mouth and gums could be linked to the development of thyroid cancer.

The thyroid gland is located in the neck and is sensitive to radiation. The exposure levels are extremely low for a single dental x-ray, however research conducted on a study of 313 people has found that repeated exposure could increase a patients risk of cancer in the thyroid glands.

Thyroid cancer has become more diagnosed over the last 30 years, with over 5,000 new cases diagnosed in the US and the UK annually.

Significantly, a high proportion of those patients diagnosed are dentists, dental hygienists and people who are in regular contact with x-ray equipment. 

Pregnant women and patients with autoimmune disease are often advised not to undergo x-rays of any kind if not a medical necessity. If the research is confirmed, a change in the use of x-rays for dental consultations could be reassessed say the Kuwait University Research Grant Administration which conduted the research. 

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