AERB warns against dental X-rays for age determination

Indian atomic energy regulator AERB, disapproving the practice of taking dental X-ray for determination of a child's age, on Friday warned such practice are deviations from the terms of its licence and registration.

In a statement, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), citing news reports where birth certificates are issued based on dental X-rays, said it, as the regulator for radiation safety in the use of X-rays for medical diagnostic applications, does not approve such routine use of dental X-ray examination solely for the purpose of age determination.

According to AERB, every X-ray examination results in radiation exposure to the person being examined, albeit small.