DHYG 103 - Dental Radiography

PREREQUISITES: Admission into the Dental Hygiene Program.
COREQUISITES: DHYG 101 - Fundamentals of Dental Hygiene, DHYG 102 - Fundamentals of Dental Hygiene Lab, DHYG 104 - Dental Anatomy, DHYG 105 - Nutrition and Oral Health, DHYG 106 - Oral Histology and Embryology, DHYG 107 - Head and Neck Anatomy
PROGRAM: Dental Hygiene
CREDIT HOURS MIN: 2
LECTURE HOURS MIN: 2
DATE OF LAST REVISION: Fall, 2018

Comprehensive study of the principles of ionizing radiation and application of radiographic theory in dental hygiene practice. Radiation safety for operator and patient is emphasized.

MAJOR COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of this course the student will be expected to:

The basic principles and concepts of radiation in general and x-radiation in particular.
The component parts and workings of the dental x-ray machine and the production of x-rays.
Factors affecting the quality of the x-ray beam and the radiographic image.
The effects of ionizing radiation on living tissues.
Radiation bioeffects, health and safety.
Radiation protection procedures for the operator and the patient.
Selection of appropriate radiographic surveys, film types, duplicating, and record keeping.
Intraoral techniques for bitewings, occlusal films, and periapicals including currently accepted methods, but emphasizing the paralleling technique for periapicals.
Technique of proper film processing, handling, and record keeping.
Quality assurance procedures.
Viewing techniques and principles of interpretation.
Panoramic radiography and other extra-oral radiographic techniques with instruction in interpretation as appropriate.
Alternate imaging modalities.
The appearances of normal radiographic landmarks, artifacts, and shadows.
Developmental abnormalities and basic disease process of teeth and supporting structures.
Legal issues related to dental radiography.

COURSE CONTENT: Topical areas of study include -