DEN 164 Dental Radiology 1

Lecture Hours: 2
Lab Hours: 3
Credits: 3

Provides information pertinent to the principles of dental radiology, and legal aspects regarding the use of radiation. Includes the history of dental radiology; terminology; radiation physics; machine operation and equipment use; biological effects of x-rays; principles of radiation health, safety, and protection; anatomical landmarks; dental films and darkroom processing techniques. Students use x-ray manikins to practice film placement and exposure techniques. Two patient full-mouth radiographic series are required and exposed films are processed and evaluated.

Prerequisite: Second term standing in the Dental Assisting program.
Student Learning Outcomes:

Recognize the names of important people associated with the history of dental radiology and identify their contribution.
Employ and apply terminology pertinent to dental radiology.
Understand principles of radiation physics, radiation health, safety, and protection.
Differentiate between normal anatomical landmarks of the skull and suspected pathologies.
Demonstrate infection control techniques during laboratory and clinical practice.
Identify characteristics important to a diagnostic radiograph.
Demonstrate correct procedures involved in obtaining, processing, evaluating, and mounting dental films.
Explain the legal responsibilities regarding use of ionizing radiation
Apply technical theory to complete diagnostic radiographs.

Content Outline

History of X-Rays
- Discovery
- Important People and Their Contributions
Terminology
Principles of X-Rays Generation (Use of X-Ray Machine)
- Tube Head Interior
- Ionizing Radiation (nature of x-rays)
- Electromagnetic Radiations (Radiation Units)
- The Atom: Proton, Electron, Neutron
- Interaction of X-Rays with Matter
Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation
- Radiation Health and Safety
- Principles of Radiation Protection
  - Patient
  - Dental personnel
- Low Dose Techniques
Dental Receptors
- Types and Uses
- Sizes
- Radiation Effects to create image
Radiographic Exposure Techniques
- Infection Control
- Bisection
- Paralleling
- Quality Control
Image Processing
- Infection Control
- Quality Control
Anatomical Arrangement of Images (Mounting)
Anatomical Landmarks
- Radiolucent
- Radiopaque
- Pathological Lesions
Applicable Radiation Regulations-Legal Aspects
- Oregon Board of Dentistry
- Oregon Dental Practice Act
- Oregon Health Division
  - Radiation protection services
  - Administrative rules
Film Evaluation (Film Critique)
- Diagnostic Versus Non-diagnostic
- Corrections
  - Exposing
  - Processing
  - Mounting