Revised 08/2020
DNH 130 - Oral Radiography for the Dental Hygienist (2 CR.)
Course Description
This course presents a study of physics, biology, safety, and exposure techniques for intra- and extra-oral radiographic surveys. Laboratory provides practice in exposure, processing methods, mounting, and interpretation of normal findings. Lecture 1 hours per week. Laboratory 3 hours per week. Total 5 hours per week.
General Course Purpose
This course provides students with the fundamental background and theory for the safe and effective use of x-ray radiation. Laboratory sessions emphasize the placement, exposing, processing, mounting, and interpretation of dental radiographs.
Course Prerequisites/Corequisites
Prerequisites: ENG 111, NAS 162, NAS 162, SDV 101. Corequisites: DNH 111, DNH 115, DNH 141.
Course Objectives
Upon completing the course, the student will be able to:
- Discuss the principles of x-ray physics and x-ray production.
- Discuss the characteristics and effects of x-ray radiation.
- Discuss methods of radiation exposure and the importance of patient education.
- Discuss the components, types, sizes, speeds, and uses of dental x-ray films.
- Discuss the methods and the chemicals used for processing dental x-ray films.
- Discuss the importance of quality assurance and quality control.
- Describe and identify anatomical landmarks and structures of the maxillae and mandible.
- Describe and identify radiographic anomalies and pathology.
- Describe and recognize types of radiographic errors.
- Describe and demonstrate basic positioning of the patient, x-ray film, and x-ray tube for the paralleling and bisecting angle techniques.
- Demonstrate the ability to utilize the paralleling and bisecting angle techniques when exposing dental radiographs.
- Demonstrate the ability to place, expose, process, mount, and interpret dental radiographs.
- Demonstrate the ability to expose a full mouth series, a bite-wing series, and an occlusal survey on a manikin.
- Demonstrate the ability to expose a full mouth series on adult patients.
- Demonstrate the ability to expose a bite-wing series and a panoramic radiograph on a pediatric patient.
- Demonstrate the ability to expose a panoramic radiograph on an edentulous or partially edentulous patient.
- Discuss the importance for practicing proper methods of infection control when exposing and processing radiographs.
Major Topics to Be Included
- Principles of X-Ray Physics
- The X-Ray Machine, Components, and Function
- Principles and Characteristics of X-Ray Production
- Effects of Radiation Exposure
- Methods of Radiation Protection and Patient Education
- Dental X-Rays Films
- Processing of Dental X-Ray Films
- Quality Assurance and Quality Control
- Infection Control Methods in Dental Radiography
- Intraoral Radiographic Anatomy
- Radiographic Anomalies and Pathology
- Identification of Radiographic Errors
- Intraoral and Extraoral Radiography
- Radiography for the Pediatric and Edentulous Patient
- Advances in Dental Radiography