American Dental Association Says Lead Aprons No Longer Needed During X-Rays

A panel of experts deemed the aprons unnecessary and said the aprons can prevent dentists from getting required imaging, potentially leading to more X-rays.

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Lead aprons are no longer required during dental X-rays, according to the American Dental Association (ADA). The new recommendations, published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, are the first update in more than a decade and seek to improve radiation protection and clinical outcomes for patients.

In establishing the new guidelines, an expert panel reviewed 95 pertinent articles, guidance documents, and regulations.