Radiology for Dental Assistants

Course Description

This course is approved by the Tennessee Board of Dentistry. Lunch and handouts will be provided.

At the completion of the course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the basic nature, characteristics and radiological significance of atomic radiations.
• Describe the nature and significance of radiation absorption-scattering phenomena.
• Describe the production and quantitative/qualitative control of X-rays.
• Describe radiographic exposure variables and their relationships.
• Describe major mechanisms involved in biological responses to ionizing radiations.
• Describe radiation doses associated with intraoral and extraoral radiographic procedures and background radiation.
• Communicate radiation doses associated with dental radiography to concerned patients in lay terms.
• Describe the basic factors in patient and operator radiation protection.
• Identify by name the intraoral and extraoral image receptors and radiographs used in dentistry.
• Describe geometric principles of image formation.
• Describe the nature and characteristics of image receptors including radiographic films, screens, grids, and digital image receptors.
• Describe and perform intraoral and panoramic radiographic examinations with appropriate infection control measures.
• Describe processing chemicals, manual & automated film processing.
• Perform automated film processing, break down and re-assemble automated processors for maintenance.
• Organize (mount) radiographic examinations.
• Evaluate the quality of intraoral and panoramic radiographs.
• Describe State and major NCRP radiation regulations.
• Describe quality assurance and quality control methods relating to X-ray equipment and darkroom.

Requirements

Registrants must be registered dental assistants in the State of Tennessee. The required textbook for the course is Radiology for the Dental Professional 9th edition by Frommer and Stabulas-Savage, published by Elsevier Mosby.

Tuition and CE Credit

$475 per assistant; 15 credit hours. Lunch will be provided. 

All tuition and fees are due in full at the time of registration. Class space is limited; registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration less than 10 business days prior to the course is subject to available space and a $25 late registration fee.