Received an email from Laney Kay who is an OSHA trainer in our area on the topic of lead aprons. Take it for what you will but I found it excellent advice:

I've had several questions about whether we need to use lead aprons when taking xrays on patients.

In 2023, the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology stated that, in general, lead aprons do not need to be used. (Sept 2023 JADA). Dental supply folks jumped all over that and are saying you don't have to, and lots of folks are ready to ditch the aprons.

Do we need to use lead aprons?

The answer is YES. Here's why.

First, let me say, I don't disagree with the idea. In fact, I completely agree that the dangers of radiation exposure from dental xrays are miniscule and that dental shielding during radiography is completely unnecessary from a health and safety perspective. That being said, I would not stop shielding patients while taking xrays.

Because people are nuts.

Also, because the standard of care when it comes to xrays is ALARA...as low as reasonably achievable. By shielding patients we are ensuring that patients are protected as much as possible. Using a shield is usually not a big deal, and if it could help and doesn't hurt, we should do it.

I have a law degree, a Masters in Public Health, I’m married to a dentist and I have worked as a dental speaker since 1989. I teach classes on regulatory compliance, infection control, and risk management. As a result, I get questions from thousands of attendees who are regular dentists, hygienists, and assistants, and most often, their questions are how to deal with patient concerns.

When it comes to xrays, here’s the bottom line. Despite years of trying to educate patients about the safety and necessity of dental radiographs, many patients are still complete freaks (some might say SUPER freaks), when it comes to dental xrays.

Patients are harder to deal with nowadays. Since COVID sent many Americans down a social media rabbit hole, many patients have emerged from their isolation angrier, less rational, entitled, and they doubt the validity of science. They were already pretty sure that dental xrays were dangerous, and now, they’re convinced.

That’s why I would not stop shielding patients. Their truth is their perception. And if they later end up with thyroid cancer, or a pregnant woman ends up with a child with developmental disabilities or defects at birth, they may look to the dentist as the cause of their problems. And unfortunately, the people on the jury are likely to be people like them.

So, I agree, we should always try to educate, but as we all know, some patients are not open to education. In those cases, we need to protect ourselves from their ignorance. I would keep shielding patients as a general rule.

Hope y'all are having a fabulous week! Laney out...

If you like her style and need any CE on HIPAA/OSHA she’s a great resource. Here is her training website. I have no connection to Laney other than my team likes her training so I thought I’d share.

https://laneykay.com/classes/