If cost is a concern, perhaps seek out a different provider, try a University setting,
I pretty much guarantee that a university setting is going to require them as well. I used to work there, and my coworkers kids went to the pediatric clinic and they are SOP there.
I dont have have a problem with a baseline or if there are issues but every year? We have delta dental and looking at the site above, it doesn't appear yearly X-rays are the mandatory standard of care.
this article states yearly X-rays are excessive and unnecessary
My son is five and gets dental e-rays once a year. My daughter just went for the first time at almost 3. She did not get x-rays, but will next time. I'm not concerned about the radiation. According to what sent said, the only way to tell if they have cavities is by looking at x-rays, so annual doesn't seem excessive to me. However, if it was going to cost me as much as it costs you, I would probably try to space it out as much as possible.
You can't quote an article that an insurance company touts as proof that you don't need certain procedures. There is a giant conflict of interest there.
The only way to tell if they have cavities in between the teeth, also known as interproximal caries, is with bitewing x-rays. Cavities on other surfaces of the teeth can be detected without x-rays during a clinical exam.
And yes, definitely LOL at an insurance company trying to dictate a standard of care.
Sooooo...when did all these xrays become the standard of care? I'm just asking because I don't remember getting a set until I was more like...8? Old enough that I remember it clearly at least. If kids can have all these cavities hiding in their baby teeth - were we all just super lucky as kids that our teeth didn't rot out of our heads?
I know the "well back in my day" argument is a bunch of crap when medical science has improved since 30 years ago, but...no really...did they do this back in my day and I'm just not remembering?
My baby teeth DID rot out of my head. That's why x-rays earlier is now the standard of care.