Nivia Fontanez Highlights the Importance of Bone Density Screening in Preventive Healthcare
Bronx-based radiology technologist Nivia Fontanez discusses how bone density examinations help healthcare providers
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Bronx-based radiology technologist Nivia Fontanez discusses how bone density examinations help healthcare providers assess bone health, identify potential fracture risks, and support informed decisions about preventive care.
THE BRONX, NY / ACCESS Newswire / October 22, 2026 / Bone health is an important part of long-term wellness, yet bone strength can change without obvious symptoms. Nivia Fontanez, a licensed radiology technologist based in the Bronx, New York, highlights the role of bone density screening in helping healthcare providers assess bone health and identify individuals at increased risk of fractures.
Fontanez works in medical imaging and has professional experience with X-rays, CT scans, and bone density examinations. She holds a bachelor’s degree in radiology, a New York State radiology technologist license, and a contrast injection license.
Through her experience performing medical imaging examinations, Fontanez understands the importance of consistent procedures, accurate positioning, and careful attention to technical requirements.
While bone density testing is often less familiar to patients than traditional X-rays or CT scans, it can provide valuable information about skeletal health, especially for individuals at risk of osteoporosis.
Understanding the Purpose of Bone Density Screening
Bone density examinations are commonly performed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, known as DXA or DEXA. This imaging method uses low-dose X-rays to measure bone mineral density, typically at the hip and lower spine.
The results help healthcare providers assess bone strength and evaluate the likelihood of certain fractures. Bone density measurements can also help diagnose osteoporosis, a condition in which bones become weaker and more likely to break.
According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, osteoporosis is often described as a silent disease because people may not recognize that their bones have weakened until a fracture occurs.
This makes appropriate screening an important consideration in preventive healthcare.
Unlike examinations performed to investigate an immediate injury, bone density testing may be recommended to evaluate a person’s longer-term risk of fractures. Screening decisions depend on factors such as age, medical history, medications, and other individual risk factors.
Fontanez emphasizes that bone density testing is not intended to replace a broader medical evaluation. Rather, it provides information that qualified healthcare providers can interpret alongside other aspects of a patient’s health.
Why Consistency Matters in Bone Density Examinations
Although a bone density examination is generally straightforward for the patient, obtaining reliable measurements requires careful attention to established imaging procedures.
Patient positioning is particularly important. The technologist must follow the appropriate protocol to ensure that the intended anatomical areas are measured correctly.
Consistency becomes especially relevant when a patient undergoes repeat examinations over time.
Healthcare providers may compare bone density measurements to assess whether bone health has changed or to evaluate a patient’s response to treatment. Differences in positioning, equipment, or examination technique can affect result comparability.
For this reason, standardized procedures and quality control are essential components of bone density imaging.
Fontanez’s experience across several types of medical imaging has reinforced the importance of following examination-specific requirements rather than treating every procedure the same way.
In bone density imaging, even relatively small technical details can influence the usefulness of the measurements obtained.
Radiology technologists play an important role in supporting reliable examinations by preparing patients, following approved positioning protocols, and operating equipment according to established standards.
The interpretation of results and decisions about diagnosis or treatment remain the responsibility of appropriately qualified healthcare providers.
The Role of Bone Density Testing in Preventive Care
Preventive healthcare often focuses on identifying potential concerns before they result in more serious complications.
Bone health matters because fractures can affect mobility, independence, and quality of life, especially among older adults.
Certain individuals face a greater risk of developing osteoporosis, including postmenopausal women, older adults, and people with particular medical conditions or medication histories.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends osteoporosis screening for women aged 65 and older and for postmenopausal women younger than 65 who have one or more risk factors and are determined to be at increased risk using a clinical risk assessment tool. Screening recommendations for other populations depend on the available evidence and individual circumstances.
Bone density testing is one tool healthcare providers can use when evaluating those risks.
For Fontanez, the broader value of medical imaging lies in providing useful information that contributes to informed clinical decisions.
A bone density examination does not determine a patient’s entire health outlook, nor does a single measurement predict with certainty whether a fracture will occur. However, it can provide important information that supports conversations about bone health, preventive measures, and appropriate follow-up care.
Bringing Greater Awareness to an Often-Overlooked Examination
Medical imaging is frequently associated with diagnosing injuries or investigating symptoms. Bone density examinations serve a somewhat different purpose by helping healthcare providers evaluate a condition that may develop gradually.
Fontanez believes greater public understanding of the different roles of medical imaging can help patients recognize why certain examinations are recommended.
Her professional experience has shown her that X-rays, CT scans, and bone density studies each contribute different information to healthcare.
While the technology and examination procedures vary, they share a common requirement for careful preparation, consistent technique, and adherence to professional standards.
By highlighting bone density screening, Fontanez hopes to encourage greater awareness of the role imaging can play in preventive healthcare and the importance of discussing individual screening needs with a qualified medical professional.
For patients, understanding the purpose of an examination can make it easier to participate in conversations about their health. For healthcare professionals, maintaining reliable imaging practices helps ensure that the information obtained is as useful as possible.
As preventive healthcare continues to emphasize early risk assessment, bone density imaging remains an important tool for evaluating skeletal health and supporting informed medical decisions.
About Nivia Fontanez
Nivia Fontanez is a licensed radiology technologist based in the Bronx, New York. She holds a bachelor’s degree in radiology, a New York State radiology technologist license, and a contrast injection license. Her professional experience includes X-ray imaging, CT scans, and bone density examinations.
Fontanez worked on the front lines of healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic and received a Best Technologist Award in 2025. Her professional interests include medical imaging, patient care, imaging technology, and the importance of consistent procedures in healthcare.
Through her work, Fontanez advocates greater awareness of radiology technologists’ responsibilities and the role medical imaging plays in supporting patient care.
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SOURCE: Nivia Fontanez
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