The handheld X-ray unit captures radiographs more quickly as the clinician doesn’t need to leave the room.15 CONCLUSION Radiographic exposures and techniques may require adjustment to ensure that high-diagnostic, good-quality images are captured. Patients with special needs may have a difficult time during dental treatment, including radiographic exposures. Clinicians must implement various radiographic techniques to best serve patients with special needs. Each patient will have varying abilities in which radiographic exposures can be tolerated and the modifica- tions that may be necessary. With new technology, alternative options are available to expose radiographs. Radiographers should stay current in vari- ous types of radiographic exposures and size image receptors to be best prepared for the patients with special needs that will continue to be seen in dental offices and clinics. REFERENCES 1. United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC: 1 in 4 US Adults Live with a Disability. Available at: cdc.gov/media/releases/2018/p0816- disability.html#:~:text=One%20in%204%20U.S.%20adults,Morbidity%20and%20Mortality%2 0Weekly%20Report. Accessed June 30, 2023. 2. United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Disability and Health Promotion. D Available at: cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/disability.html. Accessed June 30, 2023. 3. Vartanian, B. People with disabilities still face barriers accessing dental care. Available at: deltadental.foundation/blog/people-with-disabilities-still-face-barriers-accessing-dental-care. Accessed June 30, 2023. 4. Doherty AJ, Atherton H, Boland P, et al. Barriers and facilitators to primary health care for people with intellectual disabilities and/or autism: an integrative review. BJGP Open. 2020;4:bjgpopen20X101030 5. Bernhard B. Dental students will soon be trained to care for those with special needs. Available at: disabilityscoop.com/2019/09/03/dental-students-trained-care-special- needs/27108. Accessed June 30, 2023. 6. Espinoza K, Hayashi J, Shimada Y, Tagami J, Sadr A. Optical coherence tomography for patients with developmental disabilities: a preliminary study. Sensors (Basel). 2021;21:7940. 7. Paeds in a Pod. Sensory Processing and our 8 Senses Explained (yes, 8 not 5!). Available at: paedsinapod.com.au/sensory-processing-and-our-8-senses-explained-yes-8-not-5. Accessed June 30, 2023. 8. Williamson GF. Intraoral imaging: basic principles, techniques and error correction. Available at: dentalcare.com/en-us/ce-courses/ce559. Accessed June 30, 2023. 9. Mordini L. Maintaining oral health in patients with special needs. Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. 2018;16(2):37-42. 10. Thompson EM, Johnson,ON. Essentials of Dental Radiography for Dental Assistants and Hygienists. 10th ed. New York: Pearson Education Inc; 2018;159:215-225. 11. Iannuci JM, Howerton LJ. Dental Radiography, Principles and Techniques. 5th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier/Saunders; 2017;175:228–284. 12. Schwartz S, Jayaraman J. Radiographic techniques for the pediatric patient. Available at: dentalcare.com/en-us/ce-courses/ce63. Accessed June 30, 2023. 13. Casamassimo PS. Radiographic considerations for special patients — modifications, adjuncts, and alternatives. Available at: aapd.org/globalassets/media/publications/archives/casamassimo- 03-s2.pdf. Accessed June 30, 2023. 14. Abu El-Ela WH, Farid MM, Mostafa MS. Intraoral versus extraoral bitewing radiography in detection of enamel proximal caries: an ex vivo study. Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2016;45:20150326. 15. Scott AM, Reed WM. Panoramic radiography and patients with disability: a new simple breathing technique to reduce common airspace error. J Med Radiat Sci. 2022;69:261–266. dimensionsofdentalhygiene.com July/August 2023 • Dimensions OF DENTAL HYGIENE 19 Circle 6 on card PROPHYLAXIS AIR MOTOR NSK America Corporation • www.nskdental.com 1800 Global Parkway, Hoffman Estates, IL 60192 Tel: +1 (888)675-1675 • Fax: +1 (800) 838-9328 100% AUTOCLAVABLE SLEEK DESIGN WHISPER QUIET The slim and ergonomic design is up to 15% lighter & 10% shorter - designed to fit better in your hand to reduce hand fatigue The unique two-part construction allows for the nosecone and motor to separate for sterilization Enhance your patient’s comfort with the iProphy Air’s virtually silent operation
