What is the recommended approach to pregnancy for female patients of childbearing age?

• A. Obtain Information From the Patient and Treat as Pregnant Unless Known Otherwise
• B. Always Assume Not Pregnant
• C. Only Consider Pregnancy If the Patient Volunteers
• D. Do Not Consider Pregnancy in Radiographic Exposure

Answer: (A)

Before exposing a female patient of childbearing age to dental X‑rays, you must establish whether she could be pregnant. This is essential because fetal exposure carries potential risk, and the safest approach is to minimize any uncertainty by treating the situation as if pregnancy could be possible. The best practice is to obtain clear information about pregnancy status from the patient and proceed with radiography only if there is certainty that she is not pregnant. In the interim, apply ALARA principles: use the lowest reasonable dose, proper collimation, fast imaging when appropriate, and a lead apron with a thyroid collar. If pregnancy is possible or known, postpone elective radiographs unless they are medically urgent, and seek alternatives or additional precautions to reduce fetal exposure. This approach protects the fetus while ensuring patient care can continue when imaging is essential.