DAE 106
Dental Assisting Radiography
Approved: February 4, 2011
EFFECTIVE DATE: Fall 2011 MCC Form EDU 0007 (rev.10/19/10)
COURSE PACKAGE FORM
Team Leader and Members
Tracy Gift, Robbi Baleno
Date of proposal to Curriculum Sub-committee:
2/4/2011
Purpose:
___New
If this is a change, what is being changed?
(Check ALL that apply)
___
___
___
___
X
Effective Semester/Year
Fall 2011
X Change
Update Prefix
Title
Learning Units
Competencies
Format Change
__ Retire
X Course Description
__ Course Number
__ Textbook
__ Credits
X Prerequisite
Spring 20_____
Summer 20_____
COURSE INFORMATION
Prefix & Number:
Title:
DAE 106
Dental Assisting Radiography
Catalog Course Description: Course includes exposure, processing, mounting and
evaluation of radiographs. Radiographic principles, landmarks and restorations are
covered. Preparation for the Dental Assisting National Board Radiation Health and Safety
exam is emphasized.
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 2
Lab Hours: 2
Prerequisite(s)
DAE 105 or director approval
Co-requisite(s)
DAE 106L
Does this course need a separately scheduled lab component? X Yes
Does this course require additional fees? If so, please explain. X Yes
Certification exam fees. Submitted to Governing Board.
____No
____No
Is there a similar course in the course bank? X Yes (DAE 106) ___No
Articulation: Is this course or an equivalent
offered at other two and four-year
universities in Arizona?
Writing Across the Curriculum Rationale:
MCC Form EDU 0007 (rev.10/19/10)
X No
___Yes (Identify the college, subject, prefix,
number and title:
Mohave Community College firmly supports the idea that writing can be used to improve
education; students who write in their respective content areas will learn more and retain
what they learn better than those who don’t. Courses in the core curriculum have been
identified as “Writing Across the Curriculum” courses.
Minimum standards for the Writing Across the Curriculum component are:
1. The writing assignments should total 1500 – 2000 words.
For example, a single report which is 1500 words in length
OR
a series of essay questions and short papers (example: four 375-word
assignments) which total 1500 words could meet the requirement.
2. The writing component will represent at least 10% of a student’s final grade in
the course.
Is this course identified as a Writing Across the Curriculum course? ____Yes X No
(See addendum for writing rubrics)
Intended Course Goals
By the end of the semester, students will be able to:
1. Identify facts regarding the history of dental radiography.
2. Describe the components of x-ray machines and the principles of x-ray production.
3. Demonstrate appropriate infection control guidelines before, during and after
radiograph exposure according to established guidelines.
4. Describe the components of x-ray films and developing solutions and their functions.
5. Demonstrate competency in digital radiography, film based radiography and intraoral
camera use.
6. Demonstrate proficiency in developing, mounting and interpreting radiographs.
7. Recognize normal and abnormal anatomical landmarks, basic pathological
conditions and radiographic errors and their causes/corrective measures.
Course Competencies and Objectives
By the end of the semester, students will be able to:
In a document designed by the American Dental Education Association, it is suggested that
allied dental students should exhibit competence in five domains. They are Core Competencies,
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Community, Patient/Client Care and Professional
Growth and Development.
Competency 1
Core Competencies (C) reflect the ethics, values, skills and knowledge integral to all aspects of
the allied health professions. These core competencies are foundational to all the roles of the
allied dental professional.
C.1 Apply a professional code of ethics in all endeavors.
C.2 Adhere to state and federal laws, recommendations and regulations in the provision of
oral health care.
C.3 Use critical thinking skills, comprehensive problem solving, and evidence-based decisionmaking to identify oral health care strategies that promote patient or client health and
wellness.
MCC Form EDU 0007 (rev.10/19/10)
C.4 Use evidence based decision-making to evaluate and incorporate emerging treatment
modalities.
C.5 Assume responsibility for professional actions and care based on accepted scientific
theories and research as well as the accepted standard of care.
C.6 Continuously perform self-assessment for life-long learning and professional growth.
C.7 Integrate accepted scientific theories and research into educational, preventative and
therapeutic oral health services.
C.8 Promote the values of the profession through service-based activities, positive
community affiliations, and active involvement in local organizations.
C.9 Apply quality assurance mechanisms to ensure continuous commitment to high standard
of care.
C.10 Communicate effectively with diverse individuals and groups, serving all persons without
discrimination by acknowledging and appreciating diversity.
C.11 Provide accurate, consistent and complete documentation for assessment diagnosis,
planning, implementation, and evaluation of oral health services.
C.12 Initiate a collaborative approach with all patients or clients when developing
individualized care plans that are specialized, comprehensive, culturally sensitive, and
acceptable to all parties involved in care planning.
C.13 Integrate emergent technologies and valid scientific research to achieve high-quality,
cost effective patient or client care.
C.14 Initiate consultations and collaborations with all relevant health care providers to
facilitate optimal treatments.
C.15 Manage medical emergencies by using professional judgment, providing life support and
utilizing required CPR and any specialized training or knowledge.
Competency 2
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (HP) is a key component of health care. Changes
within the health care environment require the allied dental professional to have a general
knowledge of wellness, health determinants and characteristics of various patient or client
communities.
HP.1 Promote positive values of overall health and wellness to the public and organizations
within and outside the profession.
HP.2 Respect goals, values, beliefs and preferences of all patients or clients
HP.3 Refer patients or clients that may have physiologic, psychological or social problems for
comprehensive evaluation.
HP.4 Identify individual and population risk factors and develop strategies that promote health
related quality of life.
HP.5 Evaluate factors that can be used to promote patient or client adherence to disease
prevention or health maintenance strategies.
HP.6 Utilize methods that ensure the health and safety of the patient or client and the oral
health professional in the delivery of care.
Competency 3
Community (CM): Allied dental professionals must appreciate their roles as health professionals
at the local, state and national levels. While the scope of these roles will vary depending on the
discipline, the allied health dental professional must be prepared to influence others to facilitate
access to care and services.
CM.1. Assess the oral health needs and services of the community to determine action plans
and availability of resources to meet the health care needs.
CM.2 Provide screening, referral and educational services that allow patients or clients to
access the resources of the health care system.
CM.3 Provide community oral health services in a variety of settings
CM.4 Facilitate patient or client access to oral health services by influencing individuals or
organizations for the provision of oral health care.
MCC Form EDU 0007 (rev.10/19/10)
CM.5 Evaluate reimbursement mechanisms and their impact on the patient or client’s access
to oral health care.
CM.6 Evaluate the outcomes of community based programs and plan for future activities.
CM.7 Advocate for effective oral health care for underserved populations.
Competency 4
Patient/Client Care (PC): The three primary allied dental professionals have different roles
regarding patient or client care. These are reflected in the competencies presented for each
discipline. The roles of the allied dental disciplines in patient or client care are ever changing,
yet central to the maintenance of health. Allied dental graduates must use their skills to assess,
diagnose (DH), plan, implement and evaluated treatment or services provided. Allied dental
personnel must be appropriately educated and credentialed for the patient and client services
they provide, and these requirements vary by individual jurisdictions,
PC.1 Systematically collect, analyze and record diagnostic data on the general, oral, and
psychosocial health status of a variety of patients and clients, using methods consistent with
medico-legal principals.
PC. 2 Recognize predisposing and etiologic risk factors that require intervention to prevent
disease.
PC.3 Recognize the relationship between systemic disease, medications, and oral health that
impact overall patient or client care and treatment outcomes.
PC.4 Identify patients or clients at risk for a medical emergency and manage the patient/client
care in a manner that prevents an emergency.
Planning
PC.5 Select and assemble the appropriate materials and armamentarium for general and
specialized patient or client care.
PC.6 Collaborate with the patient or client, and other health professionals and indicated, to
formulate a comprehensive care plan that is patient or client-centered and based on the nest
scientific evidence and professional judgment.
Implementation
PC.7 Utilize universal infections control guidelines for all clinical procedures.
PC.8 Collaboratively manage restorative procedures that preserve tooth structure, replace
missing or defective tooth structure, maintain function, are esthetic, and promote soft and hard
tissue health.
PC.9 Provide clinical supportive and intra-oral treatments within the parameters of general and
specialized patient care.
PC.10 Prevent, identify and manage medical and dental emergencies.
Evaluation
PC.11 Evaluate the effectiveness of the provided services and modify as needed.
PC.12 Compare actual outcomes to expected outcomes, reevaluating goals, diagnoses and
services when expected outcomes are not achieved.
Competency 5
Professional Growth and Development (PGD) reflect opportunities that may increase patients’ or
clients’ access to the oral health care system or may offer ways to influence the profession and
the changing health care environment. The allied dental professional must possess transferable
skills (e.g., in communication, problem solving, and critical thinking) to take advantage of these
opportunities.
PGD.1 Pursue career opportunities within health care, industry, education, and research.
PGD.2 Develop practice management and marketing strategies to be used in the delivery of
MCC Form EDU 0007 (rev.10/19/10)
oral health care.
PGD.3 Access professional and social networks to pursue professional goals.
Teacher’s Guide
Course Textbook, Materials and Equipment
Textbook(s)
Software/
Equipment
Textbook
Costs
Modality
Title
Author(s)
Publisher
ISBN
Modern Dental Assisting
Torres and Ehrlich; Bird/Robinson
Elsevier
978-1-4160-4245-7
Title
Modern Dental Assisting Student Workbook
Author(s)
Torres and Ehrlich; Bird/Robinson
Publisher
Elsevier
ISBN
978-1-4160-4990-6
CD Rom accompanying textbook, Microsoft Office, internet access
Scrubs, clinic shoes, personal protective equipment, x-ray film, XCP film holders,
Snap-a-Ray film holders, automatic developer, chemicals, lead aprons, dental xray machines, including panoramic and digital
Please indicate how much the textbook would cost if purchased through
Barnes & Noble:
New-$124.69 packaged
X On-ground
_____ On-line
Course Assessments
Description of Possible Course Assessments (Essays, multiple
choice, etc.)
quizzes, exams, lab practicals
and competencies, homework
assignments
Exams standardized for this course?
__ Midterm
__ Final
__ Other (Please specify):
Are exams required by the
department?
___Yes X No
If Yes, please specify:
Where can faculty members locate or access the required
standardized exams for this course? (Contact Person and Location)
Example: NCK – Academic Chair Office
Student Outcomes: Identify the general education goals for student
learning that is a component of this course.
Check all that apply:
1. Communicate effectively.
a. Read and comprehend at a college level. X
b. Write effectively in a college setting.
X
Method of Assessment
Workbook pages; radiation
safety brochure; quizzes; one
minute papers
2. Demonstrate effective quantitative reasoning and X
problem solving skills.
Inverse square lawworkbook pages
MCC Form EDU 0007 (rev.10/19/10)
3. Demonstrate effective qualitative reasoning skills. X
Radiographic evaluation
forms
4. Apply effective methods of inquiry.
a. Generate research paper by gathering information
from varied sources, analyzing data and organizing
information into a coherent structure.
b. Employ the scientific method.
5. Demonstrate sensitivity to diversity
a. Experience the creative products of humanity.
b. Describe alternate historical, cultural, global
perspectives.
X
Patient care
Learning Units
Learning Unit Topic 1: Foundations of Radiography, Radiographic Equipment and Radiologic Safety
Competency: C1, C2, C3, C5, C9, HP1, HP6
Objectives: Upon completion of this unit, the students will be able to:
1. Describe the uses of dental radiographs.
2. Name the highlights in the history of dental radiography.
3. Describe the properties of x-radiation and the process of ionization.
4. Explain how x-rays are produced.
5. Label the parts of the dental x-ray tubehead and tube.
6. Describe the effect of kilovoltage and milliamperage on the quality of the x-ray beam.
7. Discuss the effects of radiation exposure on the human body and explain the risks versus
benefits of dental radiographs.
8. Identify the critical organs sensitive to radiation.
9. Discuss the ALARA concept.
10. Describe the methods of protecting both the patient and the operatorfrom excess radiation.
Activities/ Assignments: Read Ch. 38 of textbook; Lecture PowerPoint presentation; electronic
flashcards, labeling exercises, accompanying workbook pages and interactive CD-ROM.
Laboratory Activities: Establish correct operator-patient distances for exposures in our clinic;
discuss need for lead apron, discuss equipment and methods that allow for lower radiation
exposure.
Learning Unit Topic 2: Dental Film and Processing Radiographs
Competency: C1, C2, C9
Objectives: Upon completion of this unit, the students will be able to:
1. Identify the types of dental x-ray film holders and devices.
2. Describe the composition of a dental x-ray film.
3. Describe the care and maintenance of the processing solutions, equipment, and equipment
accessories used in manual and automatic film processing.
4. Identify the component parts of an automatic film processor.
5. Describe chemical contamination errors, film handling errors, and lighting errors that can occur
during film processing.
6. State the types of and indications for the three types of dental radiographs.
7. Identify the five basic sizes of intraoral dental film.
8. Explain the purpose of an intensifying screen.
9. Describe the process for duplicating radiographs.
10. Discuss the requirements necessary for the darkroom.
Activities/ Assignments: Read Chapter 39 of textbook; Lecture PowerPoint presentation; electronic
flashcards, labeling exercises, accompanying workbook pages and interactive CD-ROM case
MCC Form EDU 0007 (rev.10/19/10)
exercises.
Laboratory Activities: View exposed films with errors, identify them and discuss causes and
preventions; compare film sizes and uses for each; unwrap a film to examine the components of
the packet; compare various film holding devices and practice assembling them; practice care and
maintenance procedures of the processing equipment according to MCC dental clinic manual.
Learning Unit Topic 3: Legal Issues, Quality Assurance and Infection Control
Competency: C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C9, C13, PC7
Objectives: Upon completion of this unit, the students will be able to:
1. Describe the components of informed consent with regard to dental radiographs.
2. Describe the types of laws that affect the practice of dental radiography.
3. Describe the Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act.
4. Identify the individual who "owns" the dental radiographs.
5. Name the eight annual tests recommended for x-ray equipment.
6. Describe the components of a quality assurance program.
7. Describe the quality control tests for processing solutions.
8. Demonstrate the use of a stepwedge and its use in quality assurance.
9. Discuss the purpose of a reference radiograph.
10. Explain and demonstrate the infection control requirements for preparing a radiography
operatory.
11. Implement the CDC guidelines for infection control in dental radiology.
Activities/ Assignments: Read Chapter 40 of textbook; Lecture PowerPoint presentation; electronic
flashcards, labeling exercises, and accompanying workbook pages.
Laboratory Activities: Review recommended infection control guidelines stated in the MCC dental
clinic manual for exposed films; review sanitization/sterilization techniques used for contaminated
surfaces and equipment; review MCC dental clinic standards and patient guidelines for exposing
radiographs; discuss ethical concerns used when exposing radiographs; make a step wedge and
utilize it to determine quality assurance.
Learning Unit Topic 4: Intraoral Radiography
Competency: C1, C5, C10, C11, C15, HP4, HP5, HP6, CM1, CM2, CM3, CM4, CM7, PC1, PC2, PC3,
PC4, PC5, PC6, PC7, PC9, PC10, PC11, PC12
Objectives: Upon completion of this unit, the students will be able to:
1. Describe how to prepare a patient for dental x-rays.
2. Name the two primary types of projections used in intraoral radiography and describe their
differences and uses.
3. Explain advantages/disadvantages of paralleling and bisecting techniques.
4. Explain the basic principle and the five basic rules of the paralleling technique.
5. Explain why a film holder is necessary with the paralleling technique.
6. Explain recommended vertical angulation for biteweing exposures.
7. Explain the basic rules for the bitewing technique.
8. Describe the appearance of opened and overlapped contact areas on a dental radiograph
9. Explain the procedural principles of the bisecting technique, identifying correct vertical
angulation.
10. Explain the technique for exposing occlusal radiographs.
11. Explain the guidelines for mounting and interpreting radiographs.
12. Identify anatomic landmarks and differentiate radiolucent/radiopaque structures on intraoral
radiographs as part of the interpretation of them.
13. Identify different types of mounts and their uses.
14. Describe techniques for managing the patient with a hypersensitive gag reflex.
15. Describe techniques for managing patients with physical and mental disabilities.
16. Identify the need for accurate documentation of the number and type of radiographs taken,
Activities/ Assignments: Read Chapter 41 of textbook; Lecture PowerPoint presentation; electronic
MCC Form EDU 0007 (rev.10/19/10)
flashcards, labeling exercises, and accompanying workbook pages, accompanying CD-ROM case
exercises. Demonstration of radiograph mounting procedure and step-by-step evaluation process.
Laboratory Activities: Demonstration of bisecting angle technique; demonstration of paralleling
technique; demonstration of maxillary and mandibular occlusal radiograph technique; Role-play
with student partners the patient preparation for dental x-rays; utilizing DXTR and adhering to
infection control protocol, expose a full series of radiographs using the bisecting angle technique; a
full series of radiographs using the paralleling technique; a maxillary and mandibular occlusal
radiograph; develop, mount and interpret radiographs following infection control protocol and MCC
dental clinic manual procedures. Accurately document the type and number of radiographs taken.
Learning Unit Topic 5: Extraoral and Digital Radiography
Competency: C1, C5, C6, C7, C10, C11, C15, HP4, HP5, HP6, CM1, CM2, CM3, CM4, CM7, PC1,
PC2, PC3, PC4, PC5, PC6, PC7, PC9, PC10, PC11, PC12
Objectives: Upon completion of this unit, the students will be able to:
1. Describe the purpose and uses of panoramic radiography.
2. Describe the equipment used in panoramic radiography.
3. Describe the steps for patient preparation and positioning in panoramic radiography.
4. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of panoramic radiography.
5. Describe the errors causes during patient preparation and positioning during panoramic
radiography.
6. Identify anatomical landmarks and variations of radiolucent/radiopaque structures present on
panoramic radiographs.
6. Describe the equipment used in extraoral radiography.
7. Identify the specific purpose of each of the extraoral film projections.
8. Describe the purposes and uses of digital radiography.
9. Discuss the fundamental systems of digital radiography.
10. List and describe the equipment used in digital radiography.
11. List and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of digital radiography.
12. Describe the preparation of the patient and equipment for digital radiography.
13. Identify the need for accurate documentation of the type and number of radiographs taken.
Activities/ Assignments: Read Chapter 42 of textbook; Lecture PowerPoint presentation; electronic
flashcards, labeling exercises, and accompanying workbook pages, accompanying CD-ROM case
exercises.
Laboratory Activities: Prepare the equipment necessary for a panoramic radiograph.
Role play with student partners the patient preparation and positioning for a panoramic radiograph.
View exposed panographs to identify landmarks and variations of radiolucent/radiopaque
structures present.. View exposed panographs to identify operator errors. Expose, develop and
interpret panoramic radiograph on student partner, following infection control protocol and MCC
dental clinic manual procedures. Accurately document the type and number of radiographs taken.
Demo with digital radiographs on DXTR; student practice with digital equipment.
Learning Unit Topic 6: Intra-oral Camera
Competency: C1, C5, C6, C7, C10, C11, C15, HP4, HP5, HP6, CM1, CM2, CM3, CM4, CM7, PC1,
PC2, PC3, PC4, PC5, PC6, PC7, PC9, PC10, PC11, PC12
Objectives: Upon completion of this unit, the students will be able to:
1. Describe the purposes and uses of an intra-oral camera.
2. Describe the equipment used for intra-oral imaging.
3. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of intra-oral camera use.
4. Demonstrate ability to navigate the oral cavity with the intraoral camera.
5. Demonstrate the infection control protocol to be followed when using the intra-oral
camera.
6. Identify the need for accurate documentation of the use of the intra-oral camera and
patient education dialogue.
Activities/ Assignments: Lecture PowerPoint presentation
Laboratory Activities: Demonstration of camera set-up and use; role play with student partners the
MCC Form EDU 0007 (rev.10/19/10)
use of the intra-oral camera and patient education dialogue; accurate documentation of the use of
the intra-oral camera and patient education dialogue.
MCC Form EDU 0007 (rev.10/19/10)