- 4 -
radiographic picture. The panoramic x-ray is used primarily as a
preliminary diagnostic technique, focusing attention on areas
that may pose increased concern. The cost of the radiograph that
the machine produces is cheaper than a “full-mouth” series
produced by a standard dental x-ray machine.
At the time that he acquired the panoramic x-ray machine,
petitioner had the option of purchasing, as an accessory at an
additional cost, a patient chair that could be affixed to the
base of the machine. Petitioner opted against purchasing the
patient chair. Without the chair, patients customarily stand
while holding handles to maintain stillness and “bite on a little
piece to position their head”, whereas patients who are confined
to a wheelchair are instructed to do the same while remaining
seated in their wheelchair, which is rolled directly under the
machine over a flat base. Thus, by opting not to purchase the
accessory chair, petitioner reduced the acquisition cost of the
panoramic x-ray machine and avoided the risk inherent in
transferring a disabled patient from chair to chair, but without
compromising the diagnostic value of the x-ray machine to able-
bodied patients.
Petitioner uses the panoramic x-ray machine on a daily basis
and for all of his patients without regard to whether an
individual is disabled or able-bodied. Indeed, the machine is
intended to improve the standard of care for all patients and was
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011