Xrays & thyroid.

[Rufie]

Hi everybody! Im a retired dental nurse & as i have an underactive thyroid & was exposed to xrays several times a day, i went into the subject quite thoroughly! The conclusion to my research is, that if ur dentist uses digital xrays then u are exposed to less radiation than if you took a short haul plane flight! Older machines do expose u to more rays. But generally shields are only used now for peace of mind of the individual. Hope this helps?! Rufie xxx

[shaws Administrator]

Thanks very much for this info.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Does that include panoramic x-rays?

I ask because if there were any contribution from x-rays to my thyroid issue, I think the highest dose in the years leading up would undoubtedly have been from panoramics rather than "simple" direct shots of roots.

Rod

[boo16]

I expect that you were also constantly exposed to the mercury vapours in the amalgam fillings as you were mixing it?

[Rufie]

Hi Rod! Im not 100% certain on panoramic xrays. We used to send our patients down the road to another dentist to have them done. I know they were digital, so lower risk from radiation. Will find out over the wkend from my dentist friends & dentist Auntie.

Boo16 - yes was eR very worried about Mercury! When i was training at Tech College (remember those?!) We used to mix amalgam fillings in our bare hands - no gloves - and squeeze excess mercury through gauze back into container!!! I was 16 at the time & never questioned what we were taught! It's a wonder im not madder than i am!!! I often wonder if this has all got a lot to with my health now?!

Best wishes all! Ruth xxx

[Hidden]

Hi Rufie

I too used to be a dental nurse. In the very early days I used to stand quite close to the patient and press the button on the Xray machine. These days all staff vacate the surgery before the machine is switched on.

Amalgam I used to mix by hand and squeeze excess mercury out using a napkin and then massage the resulting mix in the palm of my hand! These days it is all done by machine and under a protective cover.

Sometimes I wonder that I am still here - now in my seventies!

[Rufie]

Hi Kathleen! Yes i did all those things. I am 61 & retired last year. We used 2 stand outside the door 2 take xrays. Our surgery was in a big Victorian house which was just recently taken over by new dentist who is refurbishing whole building according to new Care Quality Commission. This means all walls have to be lead lined now as we were also zapping people in loo if they happened to be in there when we were taking xrays! Best wishes, Ruth xxx