Which factor influences the prescription for radiographs?

• A. Hair color
• B. Past caries incidence
• C. Eye color
• D. Blood pressure

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is that the decision to prescribe dental radiographs is driven by caries risk and history. If a patient has a history of caries or is considered at higher risk for new decay, radiographs are more likely to be prescribed and scheduled more frequently to detect lesions that aren’t visible during a clinical exam and to monitor changes over time. In contrast, demographic traits like hair color or eye color don’t affect disease risk or the need for imaging, and blood pressure doesn’t determine whether radiographs are needed in routine dental care. So, past caries incidence is the factor that best informs how often and when radiographs are used.