How can improper processing of dental films affect patient care?

Improper processing of dental films significantly impacts patient care by leading to misdiagnosis and potentially inappropriate treatment. When dental films are not processed correctly, it can result in unclear, distorted, or entirely unreadable images. This compromises the clinician's ability to accurately analyze the patient's dental health. As a result, if an inaccurate diagnosis is made due to poor-quality images, the patient may receive treatments that are unnecessary, delayed, or even harmful. Effective diagnosis relies on high-quality radiographs, which are essential for identifying conditions such as cavities, infections, or other oral pathologies. Therefore, ensuring proper processing of dental films is critical to delivering safe and effective patient care.