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

Describe the formation of dental images on image receptors

Explain how X-rays are produced in the X-ray tube

Differentiate between diagnostically acceptable and unacceptable dental images

Discuss errors that result in non-diagnostic images and describe how they can be corrected

Demonstrate proficiency in the production of diagnostically acceptable digital images (full mouth series) using appropriate safety precautions

Identify and implement operator and patient safety precautions when obtaining digital images

Outline of Instruction

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, radiolucent, radiopaque, FMX and foreshortening

Prepare 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

Identify Radiography Equipment Needed to Expose an Image

Describe the Role of Images (Radiographs) in Dentistry

Differentiate Between Radiolucent and Radiopaque on an Image

Describe the Formation of a Radiographic Image

Identify and Discuss the Function of the Basic Components of the Intraoral X-ray Machine

Discuss the Purpose of Image Receptors/Care

Describe How the X-ray Beam is Attenuated When Passing Through an Object

Identify Intra-oral Image Receptors and How to Properly Utilize

Differentiate Between Periapical and Bitewing Images

List/Implement Precautions That Should be Taken for the Protection of the Patient and Operator During Exposure of Images (Radiographs)

Describe the Safest Place for the Operator to Stand During an Exposure

List and Describe the Steps Involved When Using the Paralleling Technique

Discuss Advantages and Disadvantages of the Paralleling Technique

Discuss Errors Caused by Incorrect Packet Placement, Vertical Angulation, Horizontal Angulation and Centering of Exposure Field

Recognize Common Technique Errors and Discuss How They Could be Avoided

Describe the Purpose and Advantages of Bitewing Images/Radiographs

Describe Requirements for Bitewing Images/Radiographs

Describe the Purpose and Use of Digital Imaging

Discuss the Fundamentals of Digital Imaging

Explain 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 and differentiate between primary, secondary and scatter radiation

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; and describe methods that should be used to reduce radiation exposure to the patient and operator

Describe Where Major Anatomical Landmarks are Located and State Whether They Appear Radiolucent or Radiopaque on the Radiograph

List and Discuss the Purposes for Mounting Radiographs

Describe and Demonstrate the Procedure for Mounting a Full Series of Radiographs

Describe the Location of Anatomic Structures in the Oral Cavity

Arrange a Full Mouth Series of Intra-oral Images in the Correct Anatomical Location

Identify and Describe the Appearance of Film Exposure Errors, Angulation Errors, Incorrect Beam Alignment and Improper Packet Placement of Periapical and Bitewing Radiographs

Differentiate Between Radiolucent and Radiopaque Areas on a Radiograph

Describe What Constitutes a Diagnostically Acceptable Dental Image/Radiograph

Describe Methods That Should be Used to Reduce Radiation Exposure to the Patient and Operator

Identify and Describe the Bony Landmarks, Soft Tissue Images and Air Space Images as Viewed on the Panoramic Radiograph

Identify Normal Anatomic Structures as Seen on Intra-oral Images/Radiographs

Identify Structures as Either Radiolucent or Radiopaque

Discuss the Importance of Clinical and Radiographic Examinations in the Diagnosis of Caries

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 intra-oral 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 intra-oral technique errors; arrange a 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; and expose, mount and evaluate diagnostic intra-oral images consistently

Explain and Demonstrate How to Reduce the Need for Retakes

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

Answer or Demonstrate Student Learning Outcome

Participate in a Question-and-Answer Session Prior to the Final Exam

Complete the Final Full Mouth Series Evaluation/Proficiency

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 intra-oral 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 intra-oral image; position the PID correctly for specified intra-oral images; differentiate between periapical and horizontal bitewing projections; mount digital dental images correctly; recognize and correct common intra-oral technique errors; arrange a 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; and expose, mount and evaluate diagnostic intra-oral images consistently

Contact Hours

CEUs

Industry Standard, State or National Certification

Certification

None

Website

None

Certification Learning Outcomes/Requirements

CE or CU Articulation

Prerequisites

None

Learning 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 third 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. First series using digital sensors (practice series for feedback/unlimited retakes). Second series using digital sensors (practice series for feedback/unlimited retakes). Third series using digital sensors (final competency for grade/five retakes).