Questions about when to take a child’s first radiographic examination are common, says Dr. Reza Nouri, a certified specialist in pediatric dentistry in the Greater Vancouver Area. Timing a child’s first radiograph depends on the patient’s individual circumstances, and not their age, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPDY guidelines on prescribing dental radiographs for infants, children, adolescents, and persons with special health care needs. The AAPD guideline states, “Because each patient is unique, the need for dental radiographs can be determined only after reviewing the patient’s medical and dental histories, completing a clinical examination, and assessing the patient’s vulnerability to environmental factors that affect oral health.”

PDG’s own, Dr. Nouri, shares examples from his practice that illustrate the individual factors he considers when deciding when to take a child’s first radiograph. Click here to check it out!