Final answer:
The technique recommended by the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology and the American Association of Dental Schools includes using shielding, increasing distance from the radiation source, and limiting exposure time to minimize radiation dose during dental X-rays.
Step-by-step explanation:
Recommended Radiology Techniques by Professional Associations
The technique recommended by the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology and the American Association of Dental Schools for minimizing radiation exposure, particularly in dentistry, involves the use of proper shielding, maintaining distance, and reducing exposure time. To protect both the patient and the dental technician during an X-ray, shielding is used to absorb radiation, which can be achieved using various materials, including air. Increasing the distance from the radiation source helps spread out radiation, thus decreasing intensity, and exposure time should be minimized to reduce the dose received. These measures ensure that the doses from most medical diagnostics have decreased over the years, thanks in part to technological advancements such as faster films.
In addition to optimizing traditional X-ray techniques, more sophisticated imaging techniques like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) help to avoid radiation exposure entirely. MRI creates highly detailed two- and three-dimensional images using radio waves without the risks associated with ionizing radiation.