Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

• Expose, process and mount a full-mouth set of film radiographs taken on a manikin using safe and effective techniques.
• Expose a full-mouth set of radiographs taken on a manikin using digital technology.
• Chart and document according to industry standards.

• This course is presented in a series of lecture and class discussions followed by practical applications of principles in the laboratory. 
• Laboratory applications provide opportunity to practice intraoral radiographic techniques on manikins and peer-to-peer placement using safe and effective techniques. 

1. DA 120: Quzzes, assignments, final, attendance, professional standards
2. DA 121: lab practicals, final, attendance, professional standards

• History of radiography
• Uses in dentistry
• Physical properties of x-radiation
• Generation of x-rays
• Parts of the x-ray machine
• Use of the manikin
• Intra-oral film
• Safety protocols and radiation safety equipment
• Intra-oral exposure techniques
• Exposure factors
• Characteristics of a diagnostic film
• Darkroom equipment and solutions
• Manual film processing
• Exposure and processing errors
• Mounting x-rays
• Introduction to radiographic landmarks
• Record keeping
• Digital radiography
   

COMPETENCIES:

• Explain the origins of radiography and discuss the impact on medicine and the people using xrays.
• Describe the physical properties of x-radiation and how it interacts with matter.
• Describe the components and processes which generate and control x-radiation.
• Define the parts of the x-ray machine.
• Describe the characteristics of a variety of sizes and types of x-ray film including recommended storage methods. 6. Describe and use safety protocols and equipment which are required by law.
• Explain and demonstrate the paralleling technique of intraoral exposure on a manikin using various types of film holders.
• Explain the characteristics of a diagnostic dental x-ray and use the correct exposure factors to produce diagnostic films using a manikin.
• Describe the equipment and solutions found in the darkroom.
• Describe and demonstrate the steps in film processing, and explain the effects of time and temperature on the quality of the image.
• Demonstrate the ability to correctly place films in the mount for use in diagnosis.
• Identify normal radiographic anatomical landmarks and normal oral conditions on film at an introductory level.
• Identify processing errors and explain how to correct them.
• Record patient data as required for film identification.
• Demonstrate exposure using digital sensors.