One of the most significant aspects of good medical care is the use of x-rays to diagnose and define the extent of disease or physical injury. The per capita use of x-rays in medicine and dentistry has expanded rapidly in the United States due to wider availability of services, new equipment, and an increase in sophisticated diagnostic examinations. Although many procedures now produce less exposure per film, the increased number of procedures has increased the radiation exposure to the population. The most important factor in reducing radiation exposure is to eliminate clinically unproductive procedures. The factors involved in accomplishing this goal were examined by the Subcommittee on Prescription of Exposure to X-rays which was made up of physicians, dentists, and physicists from the three military services, the Veterans Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 32-33).