You can handle some xrays
I agree, but to require x rays in order to proceed with an oral hygiene session is beyond my comprehension.
X rays are overrated, they often show cavities that are non existent and totally miss other issues that might be important (especially panoramic x rays, the kind usually prescribed), a skillful dentist should be able to get a much better picture of the dental health of a patient in the course of the hygiene procedure itself (actually the main reason to perform it in the first place).
Sure enough if the hygiene is performed by the dentist assistant (as usually happens) and that assistant is not well prepared (since it only needs to be "cheap" for the dentist to pay)...
I would suggest to ask who is going to perform the hygiene, if is not the dentist no wonder that an x ray will be required, the only way for the dentist to get an idea of what is going on (and too often to find an excuse to perform some costly interventions).
It is the whole approach that is wrong, relying on an x ray for a diagnosis, let someone else do the "dirty job", get a nice amount of money without having to actually "work" and hopefully make much more of it on some (often) unnecessary or inappropriate intervention based on thin air.
The mouths you can see around are the proof of it.
If you need to see what is going on with your leg bone an x rays is probably more appropriate than cutting your leg open just to peer inside...but to open your mouth it is not going to be that invasive after all, isn't it?
Getting an idea of someone mouth by an x rays is like judging a used car conditions by looking at a picture of it instead of driving, getting underneath, inspecting the engine, etc...
Of course dental x rays do have their place but eventually AFTER in order to clarify a doubt, not BEFORE just because everybody does so.
In most cases is quite disturbing to notice the dentist paying very little attention if any to that "indispensable" x rays you have been forced to provide, it happens much more often than you think (consider that even for a very.skillful radiologist is not as straightforward to "read" x rays properly, it takes TIME, attention and a great deal of expertise).
I do agree that bitewings are a much better diagnostic image (and much less radiations) than panoramic.