Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Students will demonstrate competency on basic intra oral radiographic techniques prior to exposure of patient radiographs during clinic sessions.  The remainder of the course will focus on duplication of films, extra oral radiography, digital radiography, special considerations in radiography, pediatric and edentulous patients, radiographic interpretation, and advanced dental radiographic techniques by practicing on manikins prior to exposure on patients during clinical sessions.  Prerequisite:  Enrollment in the dental hygiene program and satisfactory completion of DH 109 and DH 109L or the equivalent.

• Expose and process diagnostic intra-and extra-oral radiographs with technique that meets each individual patient’s needs while using a minimum level of radiation exposure.

• Apply knowledge of radiographic principles and techniques to pass the radiography portion of the Dental Hygiene National Board Exam.

1. Completion of online continuing education courses
2. Quality assurance exercises
3. Attendance
4. Adult FMX Competency
5. Pediatric FMX
6. Adult and Pediatric occlusal film sets
7. Indirect digital BWX set
8. Direct digital BWX set
9. Duplicate set of films
10. Comprehensive Final

Course Content (Concepts, Themes and Issues)

Radiation Exposure: As Low As REasonably Achievalbe - ALARA
Alternative techniques

Infection control
Film processing
Quality Assurance
Intra-oral technique
     Paralleling
     Bisection of the Angle
     Distal Obliques
     Occlusal
     Localization of Objects
Radiographic Interpretation
Duplication of Films
Patient management
     Pediatric
     Adolescent
     Periodontally Involved
     Edentulous and Partially Edentulous
     Modified Care
Extra-oral technique
Digital Radiography
Documentation
Radiographic Physics
Patient Rights of Refusal
Radiographic Authorization Guidelines
Patient/Operator Safety
Radiographic physics

COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:

1. Adhere to Standard Precautions guidelines while exposing patient radiographs.

2. Adhere to radiation safety principles and procedures.

3. Expose, process and mount radiographs on patients that meets current prescribing guidelines and meets indiividual needs.

4. Expose, process and mount radiographs on manikins that utilize more advanced intraoral and extraoral techniques in preparation for future patient exposure during clinic sessions.

5. Record radiographic services in patient’s charts accurately.

6. Duplicate films and prepare for referral to other treatment facilities.

7. Conduct a variety of quality assurance tests on xray equipment and the darkroom facility.

8. Use direct and indirect digital radiographic systems

9. Manage time efficiently.

10. Use inquiry and listening communication skills.

11. Work collaboratively as a team member.

12. Use critical thinking and decision making skills.