I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Dental Radiology II

2. Course Prefix & Number:
DENT 1129

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 2

Lecture Hours: 2

4. Course Description:

This course is a continuation of Radiology I. This in-depth course will cover the history of radiation, radiation physics, and differing radiation characteristics. The course will also include dental film components and processing techniques, panoramic techniques, and quality assurance protocols.

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

No placement tests required

Score:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

7. Other Prerequisites
Grade of “C” or higher in all Fall semester DENT courses except for DENT 1116 Dental Clinic I, which must be a grade of “B” or higher.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

III. Course Purpose

1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):

Dental Assisting, AAS and Diploma

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Analyze and follow a sequence of operations	Explain the sequence of how an x-ray is generated.
Apply abstract ideas to concrete situations	Describe how x-ray characteristics impact the final radiographic image.
Utilize appropriate technology	Use dental terms for radiology procedures.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Define radiographic terminology;
• Summarize radiation physics;
• Identify x-ray machine components and summarize the x-ray generation process;
• Describe radiation biology and patient protection techniques;
• Summarize panoramic techniques;
• Summarize dental film components, processing techniques, and quality control procedures; and
• Compare dental radiation image characteristics.

 

 

 

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Dental terminology
• Learning Objectives
• Radiographic terms
2. Radiation physics
• Learning Objectives
• Atomic and molecular structures
• X-radiation ionization process, radiation, and radioactivity
• Electromagnetic radiation properties and concepts
• Radiation x-ray properties
3. Dental radiograph machine components
• Learning Objectives
• X-ray machine tubehead and tube components and functions
4. X-ray generation process
• Learning Objectives
• X-ray production steps
• Types of x-rays produced
• X-ray interactions
5. Characteristics of dental images
• Learning Objectives
• Image characteristics
• Image errors
• Image correction methods
6. Radiation biology
• Learning Objectives
• Radiation injury, contributing factors, and sequencing
• Radiation effects
• Radiation risks and benefits
• Radiation measurements, traditional and international
7. Panoramic techniques
• Learning Objectives
• Panoramic radiographic techniques, including patient management and positioning
8. Radiographic film characteristics
• Learning Objectives
• Radiographic film components and functions
• Intra-oral film types, speeds, and sizes
• Traditional film methods
• Film errors and corrections
• Latent image formation
9. Film processing knowledge and skills
• Learning Objectives
• Film processing fundamentals
• Visual film image formation
• Radiographic film processing equipment, steps, and chemicals utilized
• Film duplication components, process steps, and exposure factors
10. Dental radiation image characteristics
• Learning Objectives
• Radiation quality and quantity characteristics and contributing factors
• KVp, mA, and exposure time factors and variables
• X-ray beam intensity and contributing factors
• Inverse square law and PID relationship
11. Radiographic quality assurance techniques
• Learning Objectives
• Radiographic quality assurance principles, functions, tests, and procedural steps
• Quality assurance administration plan and requirements
12. Radiographic radiation safety and protection
• Learning Objectives
• Patient protection methods
• Operator protection guidelines and techniques
• Personnel and equipment monitoring devices
• Radiation safety protection methods and techniques