You’re an RDH who works at a busy dental office and the dentist just informed you that they’ll be out of the office next week. While reviewing the schedule, you notice there are many recare appointments booked and a few new clients. You know that the dentist doesn’t need to be in the office for radiographs to be taken. However, the dentist always sees the client and prescribes radiographs as needed before you proceed with the appointment.

In this scenario, can you take the radiographs?

If there is a client-specific prescription documented in the client chart, RDHs may take the radiograph. However, standing orders cannot be issued for radiographs. This means that instructions to take radiographs at scheduled intervals (e.g. every six months) or for every new client (e.g., two bitewings and a PAN) are not permitted.

In the scenario above, the RDH can take the radiographs if there is a client-specific prescription from the dentist documented in the client’s chart. If there is no prescription, the RDH cannot take radiographs on their own initiative.

If you have any practice questions, please get in touch with the Practice Advisors! They can be reached at 1-800-268-2346 (press 2) or advice@cdho.org.