DENH 1030 - Radiology for the Dental Hygienist

1. Radiation history, physics, characteristics, biology, and protection
2. Digital radiography
3. Radiography of patients with special needs
4. Normal anatomy: Intraoral films
5. Normal anatomy: Panoramic films
6. Introduction to radiographic interpretation
7. Descriptive terminology
8. Identification of restorations, dental materials, and foreign objects
9. Interpretation of dental caries and periodontal disease
10. Quality assurance in the dental office
11. Dental radiographs and the dental radiographer
12. Patient relations and education and the dental radiographer
13. Infection control and the dental radiographer
14. Radiographic technique: paralleling, bisecting, bite-wing, occlusal, localization, and panoramic
15. Radiographic exposure and technique errors
16. Interpretation of trauma and pulpal and periapical lesions

1. describe the production and effects of radiation.
2. perform radiograph exposures, processing and mounting while avoiding cross-contamination as specified by OSHA and program policies and protocols.
3. identify radiographic anatomical landmarks.
4. interpret normal and abnormal or pathological conditions visible on dental radiographs.
5. evaluate radiographic processing quality.
6. demonstrate safe handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste.
7. discuss radiation safety.
8. discuss appropriate rationale for exposing radiographs
9. explain risk/benefit ratios of exposing radiographs to patients.
10. perform x-ray film exposure on manikin and evaluate diagnostic quality.
11. describe technique errors and how to avoid and/or correct them.
12. identify differences between digital radiography and traditional radiography.

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