MCCCD Program Description

Dental Radiography

Course: DHE117

First Term: 2021 Fall

Lecture 2.0 Credit(s) 2.0 Period(s) 2.0 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S - Standard Load

Description: Physics of radiography, theory of radiation production, exposure techniques, radiation protection, image processing, mounting, and interpretation of radiography. Course activities include multimedia resources.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. State the rationale for exposure of radiographs including a historical perspective. (I) 2. Describe infection control procedures while exposing and processing radiographs. (II) 3. Describe the fundamental principles of radiographic exposure. (III, V) 4. Describe the biological effects of radiation and recommended safety protocols. (III, IX) 5. Describe the principles of dental radiographic techniques. (IV) 6. Evaluate radiographic images. (VI) 7. Utilizing radiographs, identify intraoral and extraoral anatomical landmarks and pathological and atypical conditions. (VII) 8. Describe factors which impact radiographic technique. (VIII) 9. Describe the theoretical basis of radiation. (IX) 10. Explain the legal and ethical considerations of radiographic imaging. (IX, XIII) 11. Identify and describe the components and operation of radiographic equipment. (X, XI) 12. Describe the composition, types, uses and storage of dental image receptors. (XII)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Rationale A. History B. Terminology C. Exposure II. Infection control A. Operatory B. Processing workspace and equipment C. Cross-contamination III. Principles of exposure A. Safety B. Unit settings C. Image receptor holders D. Image receptor position E. Position Indicating Device (PID) placement F. Patient position IV. Principles of radiography techniques A. Definition B. Equipment C. Intraoral techniques D. Extraoral techniques V. Types and purposes of radiographs A. Interproximal B. Periapical C. Panoramic D. Other VI. Evaluation of radiographs A. Mounting B. Density/contrast C. Definition/detail D. Diagnostic image vs. undiagnostic image E. Technique errors F. Processing errors VII. Interpretation of radiographs A. Landmarks 1. Skull 2. Dentition 3. Periodontium B. Pathology 1. Caries 2. Periodontal disease 3. Osteopathology C. Restorations D. Atypical structures VIII. Modifications of technique A. Oral conditions B. Patient management IX. Radiation A. Physics 1. Terminology 2. Theory 3. Inverse square law B. Biological effects C. Safety 1. Operator protection 2. Patient protection X. Radiographic equipment A. Unit 1. Components 2. Operation B. Processors C. Digital image receptors XI. Processing A. Principles of processing B. Quality control C. Digital imaging XII. Image receptors A. Composition B. Types C. Uses D. Storage XIII. Legal and ethical considerations A. Documentation B. Image preservation C. Litigation D. Forensics E. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: November 24, 2020

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.