DAST 1610 - Advanced Radiology

Lecture:45 contact hours
Laboratory:30-45 contact hours

Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Dental Assisting Program, DAST 1510 - Dental Radiology , DAST 1540 - Dental Science I   

Course Description:
A continuation of Dental Radiology with additional emphasis on intraoral imaging to expose, develop, mount and identify films, digital radiography and extra-oral surveys.

Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will have demonstrated competency in dental radiographic technology and skills needed in a dental assisting career. This course is designed to provide the student with radiographic terminology and to develop the problem-solving skills needed to produce quality radiographs with minimal patient exposure. In addition, the course includes management of various patients, digital radiography and extra-oral techniques and provide the student with actual laboratory experience in exposing, processing and mounting intra-oral images on patients.

Students will be able to:

1. Assess film type and speed for adjustment of exposure time to produce a diagnostically acceptable radiograph.
2. Locate and use anatomical landmarks of the human skull and dentition that apply to satisfactory production of quality radiographs.
3. Apply concepts of vertical and horizontal angulation to produce quality radiographs.
4. Demonstrate the placement, exposure and processing of films in the application of paralleling and bisecting the angle techniques when producing diagnostic radiographic surveys.
5. List the criteria necessary for evaluation of diagnostic radiographs of the complete dentition (adult and primary).
6. Demonstrate modifying paralleling and bisecting the angle techniques in placing and exposing film for mixed dentition and partially edentulous dentition.
7. Produce occlusal radiographs by proper placement and exposure of the film.
8. Demonstrate processing of exposed dental radiographic film using manual and automatic processing procedures.
9. Point out the cause and correction for common errors and artifacts on radiographs.
10. Mount periapical and bitewing radiographs, adult and primary dentition.
11. Produce a complete diagnostically correct survey with 80% accuracy on two adult full mouth series using digital radiography.