With the evolution of bone densitometry, differences in technologies, acquisition techniques, reference databases, reporting methods, diagnostic criteria and terminology have developed and the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) periodically holds Position Development Conferences, the latest in 2007. The Brazilian Society for Clinical Densitometry (SBDens), with support from many Brazilian societies interested in bone health, gathered numerous specialists to discuss the ISCD proposals and to evaluate the validity of the extension of those norms to Brazilian population. The SBDens reunion of consensus made a very useful document to help the understanding and interpretation of bone densitometry and other methods of bone assessment.