Aim: Calcifications in the projection of carotid arteries on orthopantomographs usually represent calcified atherosclerotic plaques. Carotid atherosclerosis is one of the most common causes of stroke. Our primary aim was to determine the significance of calfications in the projection of carotids on orthopantomographs for detection of carotid artery stenosis. Secondary aims of the study were to analyse the relationship between stroke risk factors, calcifications in the projection of carotids on orthopantomographs, and the degree of carotid stenosis, and to determine the prevalence of sociodemographic features, habits and previous cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases of the subjects with calcifications on orthopantomographs. Materials and methods (participants and methods): Carotid color Doppler ultrasound, carotid MR angiography and brain MRI were performed on 70 subjects with visible unilateral or bilateral calcifications in the projection of carotid arteries on orthopangomographs performed for dental indications. Carotids were screened ultrasonically for the presence of atherosclerotic plaques, and the degree of carotid stenosis was determined by ultrasound and MR angiography. Brain MRI was screened for existing cerebrovascular disease. Anamnestic data relevant for stroke risk were gathered. Results: Clinically significant carotid stenosis (>50%) was found for almost 16% of the ultrasound subjects, and for 10% MR angiography subjects. Further 30% of the subjects had a clinically non­significant, but existing stenosis of 30 – 50%. No statistically significant correlation between calcifications in the projection of carotids on orthopantomography and significant stenosis was found. A significant correlation between bilateral carotid calcifications on orthopantomographs and hypertension (p<0,01) was found, and also between bilateral carotid calcifications on orthopantomographs and diabetes, as well as stroke (p<0,05). Subjects with stenosis <30% had 10kg lower body weight compared to Mia Smoljan Basuga, disertacija______________________________________________________ subjects with higher degrees of carotid stenosis. Subjects afflicted by stroke were approximately five years older than those without previous stroke, and subjects with signs of chronic microvascular disease on brain MRI were approximately ten years older than those without it. Conclusion: One in every six to seven subjects with calcifications in the projection of carotid arteries on orthopantomographs has significant carotid stenosis, and one in three to four exhibits a 30 to 50% stenosis. By detecting the calcifications in the projection of carotids on orthopantomographs in their daily practice, dental medicine doctors can take part in primary stroke prevention, and should refer those patients to further diagnostics, especially those with stroke risk factors, in particular hypertension and diabetes.