DHYG-111 Dental Radiology
This course will introduce radiation protection and the use of standard, panoramic, and computerized digital radiographic equipment. Students will master the technique of radiographic image exposure, processing, mounting, and identification of standard, panoramic, and computerized radiographs and intraoral images; critiquing of oral radiographic images and identification of normal and abnormal anatomy and artifacts; and interpretation of radiographic and pictorial pathology of the hard and soft structures of the oral cavity with the use of radiographs.
Hours Weekly
2.25 hours theory, 3 hours lab weekly
Course Objectives
- 1. Summarize the discovery of x-radiation/recognize the pioneers in dental x-radiation and
their contributions to dental radiography. - 2. Identify and label the parts of the x-ray machine, dental x-ray tube head, dental x-ray
tube, and processing equipment. - 3. Calculate an example of radiation intensity using the inverse square law.
- 4. Explain how the half value layer determines the penetrating quality of the x-ray beam.
- 5. Describe the mechanisms, theories and sequence of radiation injury and discuss the doseresponse
curve and radiation injury. - 6. State the maximum accumulated dose (MAD), maximum permissible dose (MPD) and
the ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) concept of dental x-ray machines at the
federal, state, and local levels. - 7. Describe in detail film composition and latent image formation.
- 8. List the factors that influence density and contrast, high contrast and low contrast, shortscale
contrast and long-scale contrast, sharpness, magnification and distortion. - 9. List and discuss the 5 steps of manual film processing, and basic solutions used for film
development. - 10. Demonstrate the use of protective equipment for the dental professional as well as the
patient while exposing dental radiographs, concepts in prescribing dental radiographs. - 11. Utilize infection control procedures in the dental hygiene clinic when exposing dental
radiographs. - 12. Demonstrate the exposure sequence for 15 periapical receptor placements using the
paralleling and bisecting technique with modifications that are used for patients with a
shallow palate, bony growths, special needs, or sensitive premolar region, mastering the
bite wing process. - 13. Demonstrate to competency level the ability to take periapical, bite wing, and full mouth
series radiographs on an x-ray mannequin as well as patients in the clinic. - 14. Interpret radiographic landmarks, radiographic errors, dental materials, restorations,
pathology, dental caries, and foreign objects.
Course Objectives
- 1. Summarize the discovery of x-radiation/recognize the pioneers in dental x-radiation and
their contributions to dental radiography. - 2. Identify and label the parts of the x-ray machine, dental x-ray tube head, dental x-ray
tube, and processing equipment. - 3. Calculate an example of radiation intensity using the inverse square law.
- 4. Explain how the half value layer determines the penetrating quality of the x-ray beam.
- 5. Describe the mechanisms, theories and sequence of radiation injury and discuss the doseresponse
curve and radiation injury. - 6. State the maximum accumulated dose (MAD), maximum permissible dose (MPD) and
the ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) concept of dental x-ray machines at the
federal, state, and local levels. - 7. Describe in detail film composition and latent image formation.
- 8. List the factors that influence density and contrast, high contrast and low contrast, shortscale
contrast and long-scale contrast, sharpness, magnification and distortion. - 9. List and discuss the 5 steps of manual film processing, and basic solutions used for film
development. - 10. Demonstrate the use of protective equipment for the dental professional as well as the
patient while exposing dental radiographs, concepts in prescribing dental radiographs. - 11. Utilize infection control procedures in the dental hygiene clinic when exposing dental
radiographs. - 12. Demonstrate the exposure sequence for 15 periapical receptor placements using the
paralleling and bisecting technique with modifications that are used for patients with a
shallow palate, bony growths, special needs, or sensitive premolar region, mastering the
bite wing process. - 13. Demonstrate to competency level the ability to take periapical, bite wing, and full mouth
series radiographs on an x-ray mannequin as well as patients in the clinic. - 14. Interpret radiographic landmarks, radiographic errors, dental materials, restorations,
pathology, dental caries, and foreign objects.