“Dr. W. Mark Donald, a general dentist in Louisville, Miss., and spokesman for the Academy of General Dentistry, says that, in general, adults and children should have two to four ‘bite wing’ X-rays twice a year to make sure all incipient cavities and other problems are caught early. But he and other dentists caution that this is just a general recommendation and that the actual frequency of X-rays varies significantly among patients, depending on the patient’s history of dental problems and the dentist’s judgment. If a patient is at low risk for dental problems, never has new cavities, eats a healthy diet and practices excellent oral hygiene — brushing and flossing daily — he or she may need X-rays only once every two to three years, said Dr. Dara Cunnion, a pediatric dentist at the Boston University School of Dental Medicine.” (04/12/08)