Radiographic recommendations for the transitional dentition: comparison of general dentists and pediatric dentists.

A survey which included brief case histories and intraoral photos of four transitional dentitions, including examples of ectopic and delayed eruption, as well as carious lesions, was mailed to a random sample of 2000 general dentists and 1000 pediatric dentists. Radiographic options were listed, from which each dentist was to indicate all films needed for each child's examination. Surveys were returned by 1273 (43%) dentists, including 713 (36%) general dentists and 560 (56%) pediatric dentists. The pediatric dentists took significantly more diagnostic radiographs than did the general dentists for each of the four transitional dentition cases. Pediatric dentists were more likely than the general dentists to take panoramic films and combinations which included panoramic films, bite-wing radiographs and periapical films. The most frequently ordered combinations were bite-wing radiographs plus panoramic films and bite-wing radiographs plus anterior periapical films. General dentists recommended bite-wing radiographs films only more frequently than did pediatric dentists. In view of the results of this study and the USDHHS guidelines for radiographic examinations, (1987) education must be provided for both general dentists and pediatric dentists regarding appropriate radiographic examinations for transitional dentition patients.