Course | Madison College Outline of Instruction

31508305Applied Dental Radiography

Course Information

Description

Prepares dental auxiliary students to operate x-ray units and expose bitewing, periapical, extra oral and occlusal radiographs. Emphasis is placed on protection against x-ray hazards. Students also process, mount and evaluate radiographs for diagnostic value.

Total Credits

Course Competencies

Illustrate how radiography technology has progressed since its first use to the ways in which it is used in providing dental health care today.

Assessment Strategies

by assembling a timeline identifying highlights of history of dental radiography

by answering questions that require you to apply knowledge about this competency (Your instructor may require several written exams as a part of this course. You will be notified in advance.)

Criteria

timeline includes uses, discovery, pioneers, and history of equipment and techniques

timeline is accurate

timeline exhibits correct use of terminology

timeline is neat, well organized, legible, and reflects correct use of Standard English

timeline is prepared using a computer/word processor
Explain how the process of exposing radiographs works

Assessment Strategies

by labeling a diagram of a x-ray tube using proper terminology

by presenting a written, oral, or graphic explanation of how the process of exposing radiographs works

by answering questions that require you to apply knowledge about this competency (Your instructor may require several written exams as a part of this course. You will be notified in advance.)

Criteria

your diagram is labeled accurately

your explanation includes an accurate representation of the characteristics of x-rays

your explanation includes an accurate representation of the basic physics of radiography

your explanation includes an accurate representation of the biological effects of radiation that occurs during the process of exposing radiographs in the dental healthcare environment

your responses to questions about the process of exposing radiographs are accurate and complete
Apply principles of radiation safety to patient and operator

Assessment Strategies

by preparing to expose radiographs on a manikin in a laboratory setting

by answering questions that require you to apply knowledge about this competency (Your instructor may require several written exams as a part of this course. You will be notified in advance.)

Criteria

you check the integrity of the lead apron

you obtain the proper prescription for radiographs for patient

you select safe exposure factors for the patient

you protect the patient from excess exposure

you implement precautions pregnant patients or staff

you place PID at safe distance from face

you stand at least six feet away from the x-ray unit and perpendicular to the primary ray

you shield yourself from exposure
Operate the x-ray equipment

Assessment Strategies

in the completion of a role-play on the operation of the x-ray unit and assembling various film holders

Criteria

you identify each step as you perform it as if you are explaining the process to a patient

you position yourself and role-play partner correctly

you position the equipment correctly

you perform all critical steps in the right order

you anticipate procedural steps

you employ safety precautions

you wear personal protective equipment
Follow proper infection control procedures while producing radiographs

Assessment Strategies

by demonstrating infection control techniques prior, during, and following exposure using a manikin or working with a role-play patient in a laboratory setting

by demonstrating infection control for processing radiographs

Criteria

you wear disposable gloves and other PPE

you place all film holders and packets required for patient on disposable tray or paper towel

you demonstrate the use and disposal of film barrier wrap

you demonstrate how to safely handle film that is not protected with barrier wrap

you disinfect and/or sterilize film holder

you wipe down all equipment with surface disinfectant

you follow universal precautions when handling contaminated film and equipment

you follow clinical waste procedures to dispose of all contaminated radiography supplies
Select the film for a radiograph

Assessment Strategies

in a skill demonstration or written exercise

Criteria

you identify the film you would select for each of the scenarios

you explain the reasons for your selection

you explain the possible consequences of selecting the wrong film

your selections and explanations are accurate
Process radiographs of diagnostic quality

Assessment Strategies

in a laboratory setting using automatic and/or manual processing equipment process radiographs of diagnostic quality

by submitting processed radiographs for evaluation

Criteria

you check that equipment is prepared and ready for use.

you verbalize the processes you perform; identifying the parts, chemicals, and functions of the automatic and/or manual processing equipment

processing errors are recorded and corrections are listed

radiograph meets standards of diagnostic quality

radiograph is mounted correctly

radiographs are stored so that they are preserved and can be easily retrieved (according to clinic/office protocol)

you follow infection control protocol
Manage patients during the radiography process

Assessment Strategies

working with a role play partner in a simulated situation

using the patient management forms provided in the laboratory/clinical setting

Criteria

you review health history, checking for contraindications

you are courteous, positive, and gentle

you explain the procedure to the patient, accurately answering questions

you answer patient's safety questions or concerns based on factual, scientific data

you modify procedure to ensure patient comfort throughout the radiography process

you compensate for gag reflexes

you follow infection control protocol

you expose radiograph

radiograph is of diagnostic quality

patient's records show accurate, up-to-date documentation of treatment and services

radiographs are stored so that they are preserved and can be easily retrieved (according to clinic/office protocol)
Expose bitewing radiographs

Assessment Strategies

by exposing radiographs on a manikin or role-play patient in a laboratory setting

by submitting processed radiographs

using the forms provided in the laboratory setting

Criteria

you check the prescription before exposure

you record exposure accurately

you select the correct armamentarium

you position yourself and your patient correctly

you perform all critical steps in the correct order

you employ radiation safety precautions

you follow infection control protocol

you wear personal protective equipment

patient's records show accurate, up-to-date documentation of treatment and services

radiographs are stored so that they are preserved and can be easily retrieved (according to clinic/office protocol)
Expose periapicals using the paralleling technique

Assessment Strategies

by exposing radiographs on a manikin or role-play patient in a laboratory setting

by submitting processed radiographs

using the forms provided in the laboratory setting

Criteria

you check the prescription before exposure

you record exposure accurately

you select the correct armamentarium

you position yourself and your patient correctly

you perform all critical steps in the correct order

you employ safety precautions

you follow infection control protocol

you wear personal protective equipment

patient's records show accurate, up-to-date documentation of treatment and services

radiographs are stored so that they are preserved and can be easily retrieved (according to clinic/office protocol)
Expose periapicals and occlusals using the bisecting angle technique

Assessment Strategies

by exposing periapical radiographs on a manikin or role-play patient in a laboratory setting

by exposing an occlusal radiograph on a manikin or role-play patient in a laboratory setting

by submitting processed radiographs

using the forms provided in the laboratory setting

Criteria

you check the prescription before exposure

you record exposure accurately

you select the correct armamentarium

you position yourself and your patient correctly

you perform all critical steps in the correct order

you employ safety precautions

you follow infection control protocol

you wear personal protective equipment

patient's records show accurate, up-to-date documentation of treatment and services

radiographs are stored so that they are preserved and can be easily retrieved (according to clinic/office protocol)
Illustrate how extraoral films integrate with the use of intraoral films in dentistry

Assessment Strategies

by creating a chart comparing panoramic, extraoral and digital radiographs

working with a group of your peers

Criteria

chart includes the identification of all types of extraoral radiography

chart includes a comparison of likes and differences of each type of technique

chart includes a comparison of equipment needed for each type of technique

chart includes a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages for each technique

chart is neat, well organized, legible, and reflect correct use of Standard English language
Mount radiographs using anatomical landmarks

Assessment Strategies

by submitting correctly mounted radiographs

by demonstrating optimal viewing conditions

in the lab using given materials and equipment

Criteria

you demonstrate both labial and lingual mounting

radiographs are mounted at the appropriate point in the process

radiographs are mounted using the recommended method

radiographs are mounted with the correct materials

radiographs mounting process does not damage the integrity of the radiograph

radiograph mountings are neat and professional

radiograph mountings are labeled accurately and according required standards

you demonstrate optimal viewing conditions and explain the importance of these conditions

patient's records includes accurate, up-to-date documentation of treatment and services

radiographs are stored so that they are preserved and can be easily retrieved (according to clinic/office protocol)
Evaluate radiographs for diagnostic value

Assessment Strategies

by completing an evaluation of radiographs taken on a manikin or patient

Criteria

evaluation includes the identification of all critical errors in the information or process

evaluation includes the identification of positioning, exposure errors, processing errors

evaluation includes recommendations for correcting the identified errors

evaluation includes an analysis of the effect of the errors on the diagnostic value

radiographs are stored so that they are preserved and can be easily retrieved (according to clinic/office protocol)
Interpret radiographic findings

Assessment Strategies

by interpreting radiographs using the form provided identifying normal anatomy, dental caries, periodontal disease, and periodontal lesions.

without the use of references

Criteria

you identify normal anatomy accurately

you identify dental caries accurately

you identify periodontal disease accurately

you identify traumatic injuries accurately

you identify periodontal lesions accurately

radiographs are stored so that they are preserved and can be easily retrieved (according to clinic/office protocol)

patient's records show accurate, up-to-date documentation of treatment and services