DENH 1030 - Radiology for the Dental Hygienist

Credits: 2
Hours/Week: Lecture 1 Lab 1
Course Description: Building on the basic principles of radiology, this course prepares the dental hygiene student to use radiographs during patient care and also introduces radiographic interpretation. Students must be able to perform physical tasks to complete course requirements.  Acceptance into Century College’s Dental Hygiene Program is required.
MnTC Goals
Not applicable

Prerequisite(s): None
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: None

Major Content
 

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

2. describe radiation safety.

3. determine appropriate rationale for exposing radiographs and be able to communicate it clearly with patients, including the intent, risk and benefits

4. perform digital x-ray exposure on a manikin and evaluate diagnostic quality.

5. describe technique errors and how to avoid and/or correct them.

6. identify differences between digital radiography, and traditional radiography and phosphorus plates

7. perform digital radiograph exposures, processing and digital mounting while avoiding cross-contamination as specified by OSHA and program policies and protocols.

8. identify radiographic anatomical landmarks.

9. interpret normal and abnormal or pathological conditions visible on dental radiographs.

10. demonstrate safe handling and storage of digital sensors and Nomad

11. identify different restorative materials on the dental radiographs

12. perform digital x-ray exposure using Nomad while following proper safety techniques

 
Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC): Goals and Competencies Not applicable
Competency Goals (MnTC Goals 1-6)
None
Theme Goals (MnTC Goals 7-10)
None

Practicum hours per week: 0

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