The art of radiographic interpretation is not something that can be learned as a result of a series of didactic lectures to which may be added some demonstrations. It requires a sound preliminary education in anatomy, pathology, and in the general principles of medicine and surgery. After this has been acquired, it is necessary that there be a thorough understanding of the basic principles of radiographic shadow production, both normal and abnormal. This takes years of constant application if there is to be even a moderate degree of skill in radiographic interpretation. There is no branch of surgery and few branches of medicine in which radiographic interpretation is not of importance in diagnosis. Dentistry is no exception. Indeed, there is no field in which radiography is more necessary for diagnosis and treatment. Who is responsible for the vast preponderance of dental radiographic studies? Are they individuals trained adequately to interpret the findings? The writer, who has for many years spent much time teaching dentists and students of dentistry the rudiments of radiographic interpretation, is forced to reply: “In general, no!” There are, of course, exceptions to this statement, but they are relatively few. The interpretation of dental radiographs is largely carried out by the dentists themselves, though a small proportion falls to the lot of the professional radiologist. Neither of these groups is adequately trained for the task. Dentists lack the understanding of the basic principles which are familiar to their radiological colleagues. They are also usually ill-trained in the general pathology of the jaws. Many radiologists as well have neglected to make themselves familiar with the pathological processes occurring in the teeth and jaws. While x-ray apparatus is essential in most dental offices for the satisfactory performance of the mechanical and surgical procedures to be carried out, in the majority of cases its presence has not resulted in the same degree of skill in radiographic interpretation as is provided by radiologists examining other parts of the body. What can be done to remedy this state of affairs? It is too much to expect that dental students shall take from their other studies sufficient time to achieve a firm understanding of basic radiological principles. This takes years, as every radiologist knows. Furthermore, an attempt to inculcate in these same students an adequate knowledge of the pathological conditions which may be found in the jaws is not likely to succeed, for several reasons. In most dental colleges or schools the incidence of any but the most common dental and periapical lesions is so low that there is little opportunity to demonstrate examples of the less common or grosser lesions. Even if such cases were available and the students were taught the characteristics of the more abnormal conditions, they would soon be forgotten, because they are so seldom encountered in practice.