Course Number and Name: 3220
Oral Radiology
Course Type (circle one): (Lecture) (Laboratory) (Clinical) Seminar Selective
Academic Year and Semester Offered: Fall – Spring
Course Director(s): Hui Liang, DDS, PhD, MS. (Room 205)
Other Participating Faculty (list degrees):
Lecture - Byron W. Benson, DDS, MS (Room 108)
Diane J. Flint, DDS, MS (Room 206)
Lab Byron W. Benson, DDS, MS
Diane J. Flint, DDS, MS
Michael B. Payne, DDS
Clinic - Byron W. Benson, DDS, MS
Diane J. Flint, DDS, MS
Course Description:
This course is intended to provide the student with an understanding of the generation,
properties, and techniques for use of X-rays in dentistry. The principles of radiation safety and
health physics, interpretative recognition techniques and clinical patient management.
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student will have achieved beginning competence in:
1.
The clinical operation of X-ray equipment.
2.
The clinical management of patients and clinical records.
3.
Exposure, processing and viewing radiographs.
4.
Understanding the principles of infection control relating to radiography.
5.
Understanding the principles of radiation safety.
6.
Understanding the effects of X-radiation on biologic tissue.
7.
Recognizing the appearance of anatomic structures in oral radiographs.
8.
Recognizing the radiographic appearance of oral developmental anomalies.
9.
Recognizing the radiographic appearance of oral disease processes.
Related Competencies:
1.3
1.5
1.6
2.1
2.3
2.4
Provide humane and compassionate care to all patients.
Ensure the privacy of the patient during dental hygiene treatment and counseling and the
confidentiality of patient records.
Comply with state and federal laws governing the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene.
Solve problems and make decisions based on accepted scientific principles.
Evaluate the safety and efficacy of oral health products and treatments.
Communicate professional knowledge verbally and in writing to patients, colleagues and
other professionals.
5.5
6.1
Provide dental hygiene services in a variety of settings.
Obtain, review and update a complete medical, family, psychological, and dental history
including an assessment of vital signs.
6.2 Manage the patient record as a legal document and maintain its accuracy and consistency.
6.3 Determine medical conditions that require special precautions or consideration prior to or
during dental hygiene treatment.
6.4 Identify the patient at risk for a medical emergency, and be prepared to temporarily
manage and maintain basic life support for any emergency that should occur during an
appointment.
6.8 Identify the need for radiographs.
6.9 Radiographically distinguish normal from abnormal anatomical findings.
6.10 Evaluate the periodontium, and identify conditions that compromise periodontal health and
function.
8.1 Use accepted infection control procedures.
8.2 Obtain radiographs of diagnostic quality.
8.7 Identify policies and implement procedures for increasing employee and patient safety in
the dental environment.
Evaluation Criteria/Methods:
This course consists of three sections: Didactic, preclinical laboratory and clinical. Attendance
is required at all assignments. The Dental Hygiene Department or the course director must be
notified if an absence occurs or is anticipated. Any preclinical laboratory assignment that was
missed must be made up by the end of the fall term and any missed clinical assignment must be
made up prior to the end of spring term in order to successfully complete those sections of the
course. The didactic section will represent 65 percent of the final grade; the preclinical laboratory,
15 percent; and the clinical section, 20 percent. A progress grade based on examinations conducted
in the didactic section, and preclinical projects completed in the laboratory section will be reported
at the end of the fall semester. Participation in the clinical section of this course requires that a
passing grade be achieved in both the didactic and preclinical laboratory sections. A final grade
based on accomplishments in all three sections, didactic, preclinical laboratory and clinical, will be
reported at the end of the spring semester. A passing final grade for this course requires that all
three sections be passed independently.
Didactic:
Evaluation in this section will be based on three written examinations, each weighted equally as
20%. Previously tested material may be included in the second and third examinations. If either of
the first two examinations is failed, they may be remediated. The course director must be notified
within two school days following posting of test scores of an intent to retake the examination.
Remedial examinations will be in the essay format and will be scheduled within two weeks of the
original examination. The higher of the two examination scores will be reported; however, the
reported score will not exceed 70.
Several unannounced quizzes will count for a total of 5% of the final grade. Each quiz will focus
on material from the previous two lectures. The lowest quiz score will be dropped from the quiz
average.
Preclinical laboratory:
Evaluation in this section will be based on the completion of two projects, attendance, and
participation at each assigned preclinical laboratory session. Complete mouth surveys will be
evaluated by criteria described in the Baylor College of Dentistry “Clinic Manual, Rules and
Procedures” (pages 14-15). The highest lab score will be counted as 15% of the final grade.
Clinical:
Evaluation in this section will be based on attendance, professional conduct, and performance
during assignment to the Oral Radiography Clinic. Patients requiring complete mouth surveys will
be assigned. The number of assigned cases will be dependent on the number of patients available.
There is no numeric requirement for full mouth surveys. Complete mouth surveys will be evaluated
by criteria described in the Baylor College of Dentistry “Clinic Manual, Rules and Procedures”
(pages 14-15). The average clinical scores of complete mouth surveys will be counted as 20% of
the final grade.
Attendance Policy:
Attendance is required for the lecture, preclinical laboratory and clinical section. If you are
unable to attend a session, notify either Dr. Liang or the Dental Hygiene secretary. Unannounced
quizzes will be used to monitor lecture attendance. The lowest quiz score will be dropped from the
quiz average to accommodate unforeseen absences.
Laboratory/Clinic Policies and Procedures:
See the Baylor College of Dentistry “Clinic Manual, Rules and Procedures” (pages 12-17).
Learning Materials: Learning Materials:
Textbook:
Oral Radiology. Principles and Interpretation. Stuart C. White and Michael J. Pharoah.
Sixth edition, C. V. Mosby, 2009.
Study programs:
By Neil L. Frederiksen and Paul W. Goaz (Library, Instructional Computer Laboratory):
The Nature of Radiation.
The Production of X rays.
Characteristics of the X-ray Beam.
The Radiographic Interpretation of Restorative Materials, Soft and Hard Tissues, Teeth
and Their Supporting Structures.
The Radiographic Interpretation of Maxillary Anatomic Landmarks.
The Radiographic Interpretation of Mandibular Anatomic Landmarks.
The Radiographic Interpretation of Dental Caries.
Remediation Policy:
See above, “Evaluation Criteria/Methods.”