DXX 128 - Dental Radiography

This course is offered in the typical lecture/lab format and is also offered in modules. 

DXX 128A (Dental Imaging Techniques on Manikins) - Lecture topics include physics of ionizing radiation, radiation biology, safety precautions, and equipment management. The laboratory experience consists of image receptor placement, and exposure of radiographs on x-ray manikins. Students self-evaluate images for diagnostic quality.

DXX 128B (Dental Imaging Techniques on Patients) - Clinical experiences include image placement techniques and patient management while exposing radiographs. Students identify anatomical land marks, processing errors, dental materials, and dental disease on patient radiographs.

2. Practice and produce diagnostically acceptable radiographs on an x-ray manikin, taking bitewing, periapical, occlusal, and panoramic radiographs, using the paralleling and bisecting technique.

3. Apply and understand the effects of ionizing radiation on living tissues.

4. Practice and apply radiation protection methods during manikin and patient x-ray exposures.

5. Produce diagnostic quality radiographs on patients’ x-ray exposures, adult and child patients.

6. Identify and name normal anatomical landmarks normally observed on intraoral radiographs of the maxilla and mandible.

7. Identify and describe restorations and dental materials on dental images.

8. Identify and describe classifications of decay on dental images. 

9. Identify and describe classifications of periodontal disease.

10. Describe how radiographic interpretation can be used to educate a patient.

11. Develop a plan to implement a solution to a problem or issue with dental radiographs and/or a dental x-ray patient. 
Course Outline:
I. Radiation History (1 Hour)

A.  Dentistry and X-radiation

B.  Discovery of X-radiation

C.  Pioneers of Dental X-radiation

D.  History of Dental X-radiation Equipment and Film

E.  History of Dental Radiographic Techniques

II. Radiation Physics (2 Hours)

A.  Fundamental Concepts

B.  X-ray Machine

C.  Production of X-rays

D.  Interaction of X-radiation

III. Radiation Characteristics (2 Hours)

A.  X-ray Beam Quality

B.  X-ray Beam Quantity

C.  X-ray Beam Intensity

IV. Radiation Biology (3 Hours)

A.  Radiation Injury

B.  Radiation Effects

C.  Radiation Measurements

D.  Radiation Risks

E.  Radiation Protection

F   Operator Protection

G.  Radiation Exposure Guidelines

H.  Radiation Protection and Patient Education

V. Dental X-ray Equipment (2 Hours)

A.  Dental X-ray Machines

B.  Dental X-ray Film Holders and Beam Alignment Devices

VI. Dental X-ray Image Characteristics (1 Hour)

A.  Visual Characteristics     

B.  Geometric Characteristics

VII. Introduction to Radiographic Examination (1 Hour)

A.  Intraoral Radiographic Examinations

B.  Extraoral Radiographic Examinations

C.  Prescribing of Dental Radiographs

VIII. Paralleling Technique (1 Hour)

A.  Basic Concepts

B. Advantages and Disadvantages 

IX. Bisecting Technique (1 Hour)

A. Basic Concepts

B. Advantages and Disadvantages 

X. Dental X-ray Film Processing (1 Hour)

       A.  Automatic Film Processing

XI. Introduction to Radiographic Interpretation (1 Hour)

A. Interpretation Terminology

B. Guidelines

I. Who Interprets Radiographs

II. Interpretation Versus Diagnosis

III. Interpretation and Patient Education

XII. Normal Anatomy: Intraoral Radiographs (4 Hours)

A. Definitions of Terms

B. Normal Anatomical Landmarks

C. Normal Tooth Anatomy

XIII. Film Mounting and Viewing (3 Hours)

A. Film Mounting Methods

B. Step-by-Step Procedure

C. Film Viewing  

XIV. Exposure and Technique Errors (1 Hour)

A. Film Exposure Errors

B. Technique Errors

C. Miscellaneous Technique Errors

XV. Normal Anatomy: Panoramic Radiographs (2 Hours)

A. Normal Anatomic Landmarks

            I. Bony Landmarks of the Maxilla and Surrounding Structures

           II. Bony Landmarks of the Mandible and Surrounding Structures

B. Soft Tissue Images Seen on Panoramic Radiographs

XVI. Self-evaluate all images for technical errors. (2 Hours)

        A. Self-evaluate each image exposed using the criteria listed on the grade sheet.

XVII. Infection Control and the Dental Radiographer (1 Hour)

            A. Infection Control Basics

XVIII. Dental Radiographs and the Dental Radiographer (1 Hour)   

            A. Uses of Dental Radiographs

            B. Benefits of Dental Radiographs

IXX.  Patient Relations and the Dental Radiographer (2 Hours)

            A. Interpersonal Skills

            B. Patient Relations

            C. Patient Managements Skills during Radiographic Exposures

XX.  Patient Education and the Dental Radiographer (1 Hour)

            A. Patient Education

            B. Methods of Patient Education

            C. Common Questions and Answers

XXI. Radiography of Patients with Special Needs (2 Hours)

            A. Patients with Gag Reflex

            B. Patients with Disabilities

            C. Patients with Specific Dental Needs

XXII.  Occlusal Radiographs (2 Hours)          

A. Occlusal Techniques

B. Localization Techniques

C. Basic Concepts

XXIII.  Panoramic Radiography (4 Hours)

A. Basic Concepts

B. Common Errors

C. Advantages and Disadvantages

D. Normal Anatomical Landmarks Visible on Panoramic Radiographs

XXIV. Extraoral Imaging (2 Hours)     

A. Lateral Jaw

B. Skull Imaging

C. Three Dimensional Digital Imaging

XXV. Intraoral Radiographs-Normal Anatomy (4 Hours)            A. Normal Anatomical Landmarks Visible on Intraoral Radiographs    

B. Normal Tooth Anatomy

C. Primary and Mixed Dentition                      

XXVI. Image Interpretation (5 Hours)

A. Define the roles of the dentist, RDH, and RDA in the interpretation of images.

B. Use of Radiographs for Image Interpretation

C. Descriptive Terminology used for Image Interpretation

D. Identification of Restoration, Dental Materials, and Foreign Objects on Dental Images

E. Interpretation of Caries on Radiographs

F. Classification of Caries on Dental Images

G. Interpretation of Periodontal Disease on Radiographs

H. Interpretation of Trauma Pulpal Lesions and Periapical Lesions

                        i. Trauma Viewed on Dental Images

                        ii. Resortption Viewed on Dental Images

                        iii. Pulpal Sessions Viewed on Dental Images  

                        iv. Periapical Lesions Viewed on Dental Images

XXVII. Quality Assurance in the Dental Office

(2 Hours)  

A. Quality Control Tests

B. Quality Administration Procedures

C. Operator Competence

XXVIII.  Legal Issues and the Dental Radiographer ( 2 Hours)

A.  Federal and State Regulation

B.  Risk Management

C.  Malpractice Issues

D.  Patient Records

E.  Patients Who Refuse Dental Radiographs

Total Lecture Hours =56

In Class Group Activities: 5-10% 

Manikin and Patient Radiograph Requirements: 40-60%
Mandatory Course Components:
3 CMRS Process Evaluations: 30-40%

DXTTR Complete Mouth Radiograph Series Competency

Lecture: 35-45%

Examinations and Quizzes: 5%

Group Exercises: 4-6%

Panoramic Process Evaluation 

DXTTR Complete Mouth Radiograph Series Competency 

Patient Radiography Experiences: 50-60%

1)  2 Patient CMRS

2)  3 Panoramic Images

3)  1 set of Bite-wing images on a mixed dentition patient.
Equivalent Courses:
DXX 117 and DXX 127