As a dental hygiene clinical instructor, I have observed a number of patients not consenting to dental radiographs. Declining dental radiographs can have repercussions across several areas of dental care. It compromises diagnostic accuracy, impedes effective treatment planning, undermines preventive care measures, poses challenges in upholding legal and ethical standards, and complicates patient education efforts.
Treating patients who have declined necessary dental radiographs can be frustrating for dental professionals. Without the required diagnostic assessments, we’re essentially working blindfolded, unable to provide the comprehensive care our patients deserve.
When patients decline diagnostic assessments, they leave the clinician to depend solely on visual and tactile methods for detecting pathology. If there is undiagnosed pathology due to the absence of radiographs, the condition will likely deteriorate over time and could lead to significant adverse outcomes.
Reasons for Declining Dental Radiographs
Patients may decline dental radiographs for various reasons. They could worry about radiation exposure, feel anxious about the procedure, face financial limitations, not fully grasp the significance of the radiographs for diagnosis and treatment planning, or simply find the idea of the procedure time-consuming and/or uncomfortable.
Questions and concerns about the safety of dental imaging procedures may arise among patients because the information they sometimes encounter can be misleading, confusing, or incorrect. As a result, patients might refuse to undergo radiography based on information they received from social media or nonprofessional sources.1
Financial limitations can lead to declining recommended dental treatments or avoiding dental visits altogether. When surveyed, 21% stated they declined recommended dental treatments due to cost, and 24% reported avoiding seeing a dental professional for the same reason.2
Addressing Patient Concerns
While diagnosing and treatment planning are fundamental to dental clinicians, these may not be the primary concerns of our patients. To effectively change patient behavior, it helps to address their specific concerns based on their motivations rather than solely focusing on and exerting what we believe is important. One-sided education does not predictably lead to behavior change.3
Motivational interviewing (MI) is a method for influencing various health behaviors and can be effectively applied in dental practice. MI offers a collaborative approach to behavior change in a safe, non-judgmental, and supportive setting, empowering patients to take control of their behaviors. MI consists of four processes: engaging, focusing, evoking, and planning. These processes help guide patients toward positive behavior changes. As a patient-centered approach, MI encourages patients to identify their own motivation for change, strengthening the clinician-patient relationship and leading to improved outcomes.3
When utilizing MI to discuss the necessity of radiographs, listen attentively to the patient’s concerns and fears. Empathize with their feelings and reassure them by addressing their specific worries. Establish trust and rapport with the patient by demonstrating professionalism, competence, and compassion. Consider factors such as past experiences and personal beliefs that may influence their decision-making process. A trusting relationship can increase their confidence in accepting dental radiographs.4
Providing personalized education about the role of radiographs in maintaining oral health helps patients understand their diagnostic value. By highlighting how their unique dental history, such as previous dental caries and caries risk, root canal treatments, restorations, dental implants, and periodontal status, necessitates a comprehensive evaluation of each tooth, the importance of utilizing dental radiographs becomes clearer. This tailored approach ensures that the patient understands the necessity of these diagnostic tools in identifying potential issues and devising effective treatment plans specific to their needs.1,4
Utilizing visuals, such as intraoral photos, dental models, or videos, in the explanation process provides tangible visual evidence of the potential risks associated with not undergoing assessment modalities needed for diagnosis and treatment. These visual aids allow patients to see firsthand any existing dental issues, such as dental caries, infections, or bone loss, that may not be apparent during a regular visual examination. By presenting this information visually, patients can better grasp the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment in preserving their oral health and preventing further complications.5
Create a safe and supportive environment where patients feel comfortable sharing their concerns openly. Encourage them to ask questions and express any uncertainties they may have.4 Offer reassurance by explaining the safety measures in place that minimize radiation exposure, such as:
- Using digital imaging instead of conventional film.
- Restricting the beam size to the area that needs to be assessed (e.g., rectangular collimation) and properly positioning patients so that the most diagnostic image can be taken.
- Incorporating CBCT only when lower-exposure options will not provide the necessary diagnostic information.
- Adhering to all applicable federal, state, and local regulations on radiation safety.6
Patient Autonomy
Patients, along with their guardians or substitute decision-makers, possess the right to either consent to or decline radiographs. Finding out exactly why they refuse radiographs and addressing their concerns can help clinicians and patients make informed decisions together.7
If a patient still refuses radiographs after addressing questions and concerns, they can sign an informed refusal form. The American Dental Association (ADA) states, “Accepted refusals should be well-documented, with a clinically-supportable rationale, and a plan for gathering necessary diagnostic information within a reasonable time frame.”7
However, signing an informed refusal form essentially entails patients consenting to treatment that falls below the accepted standard of care and does not release a clinician from liability. The ADA states, “Dentists are recommended to not take on this risk and to recognize that the patient cannot “release” the dentist from potential liability for failure to diagnose by signing a waiver of liability. Of course, there are many variables involved, but routinely accepting patient refusals for radiographs can lead to non-defensible claims and/or lawsuits.”7
If the dentist believes that the refusal compromises their ability to accurately diagnose and/or provide appropriate treatment, they have the right to decline to provide compromised care as requested by the patient and dismiss the patient from their practice.7,8
In Closing
Effectively addressing patient objections helps safeguard their health and uphold professional standards. Customize your approach to fit individual needs and preferences. What works for one patient may not work for another, making it important to adapt your communication style accordingly.
Respect the patient’s right to make informed decisions about their own healthcare by avoiding pressure. Instead, focus on providing information and support to help them make the best decision for themselves. After the discussion, follow up with the patient to see if they have any further questions or concerns.
By demonstrating empathy and understanding, dental professionals can build trust and rapport with patients, leading to improved communication, increased patient satisfaction, and better outcomes in dental radiograph acceptance, hence better dental care.
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References
- Al Faleh, W., Bin Mubayrik, A., Al Dosary, S., et al. Public Perception and Viewpoints of Dental Radiograph Prescriptions and Dentists’ Safety Protection Practice. Clin Cosmet Investig. 2020; 12: 533-539. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7680142/
- Gondro, J.V., Emode, M., Ivancevic, D., Clarke, J. (2025, February 12). Cost-Related Avoidance of Oral Health Services [Statistics Canada Catalogue No 75-006]. Insights of Canadian Society. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/75-006-x/2025001/article/00003-eng.htm
- Aiman, H., Kilgariff, J.K., Marks, D., Albiston, M. Does Motivational Interviewing Have a Role in Dentistry?. Br Dent J. 2025; 238(3): 166-171. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39953022/
- Ramseier, C. A., & Suvan, J. E. (Eds.). (2010). Health Behavior Change in the Dental Practice. Wiley-Blackwell.
- Thorat, V., Rao, P., Joshi, N., et al. Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Patient Education and Communication in Dentistry. Cureus. 2024; 16(5): e59799. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11155216/
- Benavides, E., Krecioch, J.R., Connolly, R.T., et al. Optimizing Radiation Safety in Dentistry: Clinical Recommendations and Regulatory Considerations. J Am Dent Assoc. 2024; 155(4): 280-293.e4. https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(23)00734-1/fulltext
- Radiographic Imaging. (n.d.). American Dental Association. https://www.ada.org/en/resources/practice/practice-management/radiographic-imaging
- Frequently Asked Questions – Dental Radiographs. (n.d.). Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario. https://www.rcdso.org/en-ca/standards-guidelines-resources/rcdso-news/frequently-asked-questions/information-on-dental-radiographs
