What can be done to further minimize radiation exposure during dental radiography?

Using the highest film speed available is a highly effective way to minimize radiation exposure during dental radiography. Film speed refers to the sensitivity of the film to radiation; faster films require less radiation to produce a diagnostic image. By utilizing faster film, dental practitioners can reduce the overall amount of radiation that the patient receives while still obtaining high-quality images necessary for diagnosis and treatment planning.

In this context, employing high-speed film enables dental professionals to maintain diagnostic standards while prioritizing patient safety and minimizing exposure. Faster films can vastly decrease the amount of time the patient is exposed to x-rays, making this strategy fundamental in radiation safety practices.

The other options would not effectively achieve the goal of minimizing radiation exposure. Increasing exposure time, for example, would result in a higher dose of radiation for the patient, while using higher doses of radiation directly contradicts the principle of reducing exposure. Positioning the x-ray source farther from the patient can optimize beam geometry but does not necessarily lessen the radiation dose received; it's the film speed that plays the key role in minimizing that exposure.