Course Offerings

Intraoral Dental Radiography Certification

Course ID: DEN-3018A3
Overview
Course Outline
Requirements
Intended Audience
More Details

This course provides a basic view of the principles and procedures of radiology as they apply to dentistry. Topics include techniques in exposing, processing, and evaluating digital images, as well as radiation safety, quality assurance, and legal issues. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate at a minimum competency manikin level in the production of diagnostically acceptable dental images using appropriate safety precautions.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to met the following overall course goals:

1. Describe the formation of dental images on image receptors
2. Explain how x-rays are produced in the x-ray tube
3. Differentiate between diagnostically acceptable and unacceptable dental images
4. Discuss errors that result in non-diagnostic images and describe how they can be corrected
5. Demonstrate proficiency in the production of diagnostically acceptable digital images (Full Mouth Series) using appropriate safety precautions
6. Identify and implement operator and patient safety precautions when obtaining digital images

Outline of instruction

Week #1: The student will be able:

#1. Define Key Terms:
• Tooth Numbers
• Tooth Surfaces (Medial, Distal, Lingual, Facial, Occlusal, Incisal)
• Tooth ID (Anterior, Posterior, Centrals, Laterals, Canines, Premolars, Molars)
• Dentitions (Primary and Permanent)
• Radiology
• Radiograph
• Intra-oral
• Extra-oral
• Mesial
• Distal
• Perpendicular
• Superimposition
• Occlusal
• Tube Head
• Bitewing
• Interproximal
• Stabe
• Vertical Angulation
• Horizontal angulation
• Paralleling technique
• Elongation
• Cone cut
• Control Panel
• Extension arm
• Image receptor
• Interproximal
• Periapical
• Parallel
• Horizontal
• Bitewing
• Radiolucent
• Radiopaque
• FMX
• Foreshortening

#2. Prepare the radiography operatory for exposure of dental images (each lab session)
• Demonstrate the safest place for the operator to stand to avoid scatter radiation
• Identify the parts of the x-ray machine
• Demonstrate proper placement and storage of the lead apron for intraoral images
• Select the correct exposure settings for specific projections
• Assemble XCP instruments correctly for specified image projections
• Demonstrate the steps used for the paralleling technique of image exposure
• Position the image receptor correctly for exposure of specified intraoral images
• Position the PID correctly for specified intraoral images
• Differentiate between periapical and horizontal bitewing projections
• Mount digital dental images correctly
• Recognize and correct common intraoral technique errors
• Arrange full mouth series of intra-oral images in the correct anatomical location
• Identify exposure errors, angulation errors, incorrect beam alignment, and improper packet placement of periapical and bite-wing radiographs.
• Expose, mount and evaluate diagnostic intra-oral images consistently

#3. Identify radiography equipment need to expose an image

#4. Describe the role of images (radiographs) in dentistry

#5. Differentiate between radiolucent and radiopaque on an image

#6. Describe the formation of a radiographic image

#7. Identify and discuss the function of the basic components of the intraoral x-ray
Machine

#8. Discuss the purpose of image receptors/care

#9. Describe how the x-ray beam is attenuated when passing through an object

#10. Identify intra-oral image receptors and how to properly utilize

#11. Differentiate between periapical and bitewing images

#12. List/implement precautions which should be taken for the protection of the patient
and operator during exposure of images (radiographs)

#13. Describe the safest place for the operator to stand during an exposure

#14. List and describe the steps involved when using the paralleling technique

#15. Discuss advantages and disadvantages of the paralleling technique

#16. Discuss errors caused by incorrect packet placement, vertical angulation, horizontal
angulation and centering of exposure field

#17. Recognize common technique errors and discuss how they could be avoided

#18. Describe the purpose and advantages of bitewing image/radiographs

#19. Describe requirements for bitewing images/radiographs

#20. Describe the purpose and use of digital imaging

#21. Discuss the fundamentals of digital imaging

#22. Explain a basic principles of radiation physics
• Define matter and discuss the states in which it exists
• Define energy and list examples
• Describe how ions are produced
• Identify and state the function of the components of the x-ray machine
• Differentiate between a step-up transformer and a step-down transformer
• Discuss the purpose of filtration and collimation
• Describe the process involved in the production of x-rays
• Differentiate between primary, secondary and scatter radiation

#23. Explain basic radiation biology and protection principles
• Describe the mechanisms, theories, and sequence of radiation injury
• Differentiate between the short term and long-term effects of radiation exposure
• Differentiate between the somatic and genetic effects of radiation exposure
• Discuss the ALARA principle
• Differentiate between direct and indirect radiation effects
• Define maximum permissible dose and apply the formula used to determine radiation dose for workers
• Explain how cells may be affected by radiation
• Discuss units of radiation measurement
• Describe methods that should be used to reduce radiation exposure to the patient and operator

Week #2: The student will be able:

#1. Describe where major anatomical landmarks are located and state whether they
appear radiolucent radiopaque on the radiograph

#2. List and discuss the purposes for mounting radiographs

#3. Describe and demonstrate the procedure for mounting a full series of radiographs

#4. Describe location of anatomic structures located in the oral cavity

#5. Arrange full mouth series of intra-oral images in the correct anatomical location

#6. Identify and describe the appearance of film exposure errors, angulation errors,
incorrect beam alignment, and improper packet placement of periapical and bite-wing radiographs

#7. Differentiate between radiolucent and radiopaque areas on a radiograph

#8. Describe what constitutes a diagnostically acceptable dental image/radiograph

#9. Describe methods that should be used to reduce radiation exposure to the patient and operator

#10. Identify and describe the bony landmarks, soft tissue images, and air space images as viewed on the panoramic radiograph

#11. Identify normal anatomic structures as seen on intraoral images/radiographs.

#12. Identify structures as either radiolucent or radiopaque

#13. Discuss the importance of clinical and radiographic examinations in the diagnosis of caries

#14. Prepare the radiography operatory for exposure of dental images (each lab session)
• Demonstrate the safest place for the operator to stand to avoid scatter radiation
• Identify the parts of the x-ray machine
• Demonstrate proper placement and storage of the lead apron for intraoral images
• Select the correct exposure settings for specific projections
• Assemble XCP instruments correctly for specified image projections
• Demonstrate the steps used for the paralleling technique of image exposure
• Position the image receptor correctly for exposure of specified intraoral images
• Position the PID correctly for specified intraoral images
• Differentiate between periapical and horizontal bitewing projections
• Mount digital dental images correctly
• Recognize and correct common intraoral technique errors
• Arrange full mouth series of intra-oral images in the correct anatomical location
• Identify exposure errors, angulation errors, incorrect beam alignment, and improper packet placement of periapical and bite-wing radiographs.
• Expose, mount and evaluate diagnostic intra-oral images consistently
#15. Explain and demonstrate how to reduce the need for re-takes.

#16. Discuss legal issues in relationship to dental images.
• Patient relations and the dental radiographer
• Patient education and the dental radiographer
• Infection Control
• ALARA
• Prescribe Images
• Quality Assurance in the Dental Office
• Monitoring Devices

Week #3: Student will be able to:

#1. Answer or demonstrate student learning outcome

#2. Participate in a question-and-answer session prior to the final exam

#3. Complete the final full mouth series evaluation/proficiency

#4. Prepare the radiography operatory for exposure of dental images (each lab session)
• Demonstrate the safest place for the operator to stand to avoid scatter radiation
• Identify the parts of the x-ray machine
• Demonstrate proper placement and storage of the lead apron for intraoral images
• Select the correct exposure settings for specific projections
• Assemble XCP instruments correctly for specified image projections
• Demonstrate the steps used for the paralleling technique of image exposure
• Position the image receptor correctly for exposure of specified intraoral image
• Position the PID correctly for specified intraoral images
• Differentiate between periapical and horizontal bitewing projections
• Mount digital dental images correctly
• Recognize and correct common intraoral technique errors
• Arrange full mouth series of intra-oral images in the correct anatomical location
• Identify exposure errors, angulation errors, incorrect beam alignment, and improper packet placement of periapical and bite-wing radiographs.
• Expose, mount and evaluate diagnostic intra-oral images consistently

Contact Hours

CEUs

Industry Standard, State or National Certification

None

CE or CU Articulation

Prerequisites

None

Text and Supplies Needed

Supplies:
• Closed toe shoes for lab setting/comfortable for standing on hard floors during lab.
• Clothing for lab will be pants (no jeans) and a shirt. Uniforms are also acceptable attire.
• 2 inch 3 Ring Binder

Clinical Site/Special Facilities

Perry Health Sciences Campus - room number TBD for the lecture and HB 312 Dental Clinical Facility for lab portion of course.

Requirements for Successful Completion

90% attendance"Students will be required to complete three full mouth digital series. The 3rd full mouth series will be graded as the final competency. The student must achieve a grade of 80 or above on a manikin final FMS competency during the indicated lab session and pass the final written exam with a grade of 80 or above to be issued the radiography certificate upon course completion.
a. 1st series using digital sensors (practice series for feedback\unlimited retakes)
b. 2nd series using digital sensors (practice series for feedback\unlimited retakes)
c. 3rd series using digital sensors (final competency for grade\5 retakes)
"