Exposure to dental X-rays may increase the risk of developing thyroid cancer, according to a new study.
Researchers from Brighton and Sussex Medical School, the University of Cambridge, and Kuwait University examined more than 300 cancer patients and found that those who have been x-rayed by dentists were 10 times more likely to develop this rare form of cancer .
According to the researchers, the radiation given off by X-rays affects the thyroid gland in the neck – a danger which they claim if often overlooked.
They argue that like chest (or other upper-body) x-rays, regular dental X-rays should only be prescribed to cater for a patient’s "specific clinical need", rather than "as part of a routine check-up or when registering with a dentist ".
Dr Anjum Memon of the Brighton and Sussex Medical School, who led the study, said the results were in line with previous reports of increased risk of thyroid cancer in dentists, dental assistants and X-ray workers.
However, he stressed that further research is needed to confirm the link between dental radiography and thyroid cancer as comprehensive historical dental X-ray records were not available from the clinics.
"It is important that our study is repeated with information from dental records including frequency of x-rays, age and dose at exposure," he said.
"If the results are confirmed then the use of x-rays as a necessary part of evaluation for new patients, and routine periodic dental radiography (at 6-12 months interval), particularly for children and adolescents, will need to be reconsidered, as will a greater use of lead collar protection.
Dr Memon added that dental X-rays have also been linked with an increased risk of brain and salivary gland tumours.
