KUWAIT: A radiology doctor based in Kuwait refuted recent news reports that dental x-rays are linked to thyroid cancer. In an interview with the Kuwait Times yesterday , Dr Mohammed Al-Sammak countered news reports that connect dental x-rays to thyroid cancer. "[The] dental x-ray procedure is very selective or specific. If a doctor advised only one tooth for an x-ray, our x-ray machine would select only one tooth. It's not connected to the thyroid, not at all," Dr Sammak said. A new Kuwait-based study condu
cted by scientists working in Britain found a link between exposure to dental x-rays and thyroid cancer.

The study was reportedly conducted in Kuwait because the rate of thyroid cancer here is higher than in other countries. The news reports said that patients who were exposed to dental x-rays are ten times more likely to develop thyroid cancer. Sammak was confident that the findings of the study were unfounded. "In the x-ray procedure at any dental clinic in Kuwait a neck shield is always recommended to protect a patient's thyroid from being exposed to radiation.

When asked if accidental exposure could really cause thyroid cancer, Dr Sammak said "not for one or two x-ray exposures. It could perhaps affect a person if done continuously." Sammak further admitted that the thyroid gland is one of many sensitive organs that should be protected, especially during x-rays. "Neck protection is important during x-rays to avoid developing thyroid problems. It is the same protection we use for ovaries and testicles because they are considered the most sensitive human organs,
he explained.

Another dentist in Kuwait shared a similar view. Dr Chie Umandap, a dental doctor currently connected to the office of the assistant undersecretary at the Ministry of Health, said that there is no link between X-rays and thyroid cancer. "For some emergency purposes, such as pregnant women, we allow X-rays, and it has never affected babies," he said. "Take note though that a pregnant woman should not be exposed to an x-ray, especially during the first three months. In a dental procedure we allow x-rays beca
use they are very safe. Also, radiation dosage is minimal compared to other types of body x-rays," he added.

Umandap further explained that a dental x-ray is not similar to the X-ray used on the chest or other parts of the body. "In dental x-rays we use little radiation dosages because only an alveolar bone and thin tissue cover the teeth," he said. According to another doctor, who spoke with Kuwait Times on the condition of anonymity, argued that the study's findings could be true because dental procedures in Kuwait are very specific, even for a simple tooth ache.

Here in Kuwait a simple dental problem requires a patient to undergo an x-ray, even schools follow the same practice," he said. "Imagine if a milk tooth is x-rayed first. After they remove the tooth another x-ray is recommended. It's an excessive exposure to radiation," he pointed out.

According to the same doctor, in other countries they examine the teeth first. "Dentists check [a patient's] history and if an x-ray is recommended it will be done, but only for major orthodontic-cases. "A simple dental problem will never be X-rayed. In Kuwait's government clinics though they will x-ray even a simple tooth ache. It becomes a routine," the doctor admitted. He made clear however that repetitive X-raying is never followed by private dental clinics here.  - Kuwait Times