Case control studies implicating dental X-rays in the genesis of intracranial 
meningiomas have yielded conflicting results. To further evaluate what risk, if 
any, that intracranial meningioma might be associated with dental X-rays, we 
examined the association of benign brain tumor incidence with the number of 
dentists and other correlates of oral health in U.S. states and the District of 
Columbia. We compared these correlations to the association of the same markers 
of oral health with Alzheimer's death rates. Poor oral health, especially 
periodontal disease, is a well-established risk factor for dementia.
RESULTS: Pearson correlations, number of cases (49, no data from Kansas or 
Maryland) and significance (2 tailed p values) of benign brain tumor incidence 
and parameters of oral health are presented. None of the correlations approached 
statistical significance. In contrast, Alzheimer's deaths by state were 
negatively correlated with number of dentists and other markers of oral health.
CONCLUSION: Our finding of a total lack of correlation between benign brain 
tumors and markers of oral health and, by implication, dental X-rays, suggests 
there may be no relationship between dental X-rays and meningioma or other 
benign brain tumors. This conclusion is strengthened by our demonstration of the 
known negative correlation between Alzheimer's and dental care.