Which items should be affixed to an extraoral radiographic image to aid identification and orientation?

Which items should be affixed to an extraoral radiographic image to aid identification and orientation?

• A. Patient name or ID number
• B. Date of exposure
• C. Right and left side orientation
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

Labeling extraoral radiographs includes three essential pieces of information that should be affixed: patient name or ID, date of exposure, and right/left orientation. The patient’s name or ID ties the image to the correct chart, preventing mix-ups in a busy practice where many patients’ radiographs are stored together. The date of exposure documents when the image was taken, which matters for tracking changes over time and coordinating with clinical notes and treatment milestones. Right and left orientation markers are crucial on extraoral views because the projection can make it easy to mistake one side for the other, leading to incorrect diagnosis or planning. When all three are present, the image is clearly identified, correctly timed, and oriented, reducing errors and improving the reliability of the radiographic record.