MCCCD Program Description

Dental Radiography

Course: DHE117

First Term: 2010 Fall

Lecture 2 Credit(s) 2 Period(s) 2 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S

Description: Physics of radiography, theory of radiation production, exposure techniques, radiation protection, film processing, mounting, and interpretation of radiography. Course activities include multi-media 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 principles of dental radiographic techniques. (IV) 5. Evaluate processed radiographs. (VI) 6. Utilizing radiographs, identify intraoral and extraoral anatomical landmarks and pathological and atypical conditions. (VII) 7. Describe factors which impact radiographic technique. (VIII) 8. Describe the theoretical basis of radiation. (IX) 9. Describe the biological effects of radiation and recommended safety protocols. (IX) 10. Identify and describe the components and operation of radiographic equipment. (X, XI) 11. Describe the composition, types, uses and storage of dental films. (XII) 12. Explain the legal ramifications of radiographs. (XIII)
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. Darkroom C. Cross-contamination III. Principles of Exposure A. Safety B. Machine Adjustments C. Film Holders D. Film Position E. Position Indicating Device (PID) Placement F. Patient Position IV. Paralleling, Bisecting, and Combined Technique A. Definition B. Equipment C. Technique V. Types and Purposes of Radiographs A. Interproximal B. Periapical C. Edentulous D. Pediatric E. Panoramic F. Accessory Films G. Duplication VI. Evaluation of Radiographs A. Mounting B. Density/Contrast C. Definition/Detail D. Diagnostic Film vs. Undiagnostic Film 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. As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) Concept 2. Operator Protection 3. Patient Protection X. Radiographic Equipment A. Unit 1. Components 2. Operation B. Processors 1. Manual 2. Automatic C. Digitized Sensors/Software XI. Processing A. Principles of Processing B. Quality Control C. Chemicals D. Digitized Imagery XII. Dental Films A. Composition B. Types C. Uses D. Storage XIII. Forensics A. Documentation B. Radiograph Preservation C. Litigation

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 2/23/2010

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.