DEA 314 - Radiology I

Credits: 2
Lecture Hours: 1
Lab Hours: 2
Practicum Hours: 0
Work Experience: 0
Course Type: Voc/Tech

 
Corequisite: DEA 507  , DEA 256  , DEA 413  , DEA 249   
Competencies
 

1. Discuss historic contributions associated with the discovery and growth of X-radiation
   1. Summarize the importance of dental radiographs
   2. List the uses of dental radiographs
   3. Summarize the discovery of x-radiation
   4. Recognize the pioneers in dental x-radiation and their contributions
2. Interpret the fundamental concepts of atomic and molecular structure
   1. List the three states of matter and the properties of each
   2. Identify the structure of the atom
   3. Define molecule and discuss how molecules are formed
   4. Describe the process of ionization
3. Discuss the nature of radiation
   1. Indicate the various types of radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum
   2. Describe the nature of electromagnetic wave forms
   3. Define crest, wavelength and frequency
   4. List the properties of x-rays
4. Distinguish the components of the x-ray equipment, their functions, and their controlling factors
   1. Describe the main components of an x-ray tube and their functions
   2. Identify the electric currents of an x-ray tube and their effect on the emitted radiation
   3. Understand the types of x-rays that are produced
   4. Explain interactions of x-radiation and matter
   5. Identify commonly used x-ray receptor holders, beam alignment devices and collimating devices
5.  Explain the characteristics of dentally used radiation and how they affect radiographic image production
   1. List the three characteristics of a radiation beam
   2. Describe how kilovoltage, milliamperage, time, and distance can alter an x-ray beam
   3. Recall the Inverse Square Law
6. Evaluate radiation biology and the harmful effects of ionizing radiation on human tissues
   1. Describe the mechanisms, theories, and sequence of radiation injury
   2. Identify the factors that determine radiation injury
   3. Discuss short-term and long-term effects as well as the somatic and genetic effects of radiation exposure
   4. Recall the effects of radiation exposure on cells, tissues, and organs
   5. Identify the relative sensitivity of a given tissue to x-radiation
   6. Define the units of measurement used in radiation exposure
   7. Describe sources of radiation exposure
   8. Estimate risk exposure in dental radiography
   9. Summarize the concepts associated with radiation protection
   10. Practice all principles of radiation safety applicable to exposure of radiographs         
   11. State what ALARA stands for
7. Describe the use of PSP/film image receptors and accessories
   1. Identify the various type, compositions and sizes of PSP/film image receptors and positioning devices available for use in dental radiography                               
   2. Define latent image formation
   3. Explain proper receptor storage and protection
8. Examine categories of radiographic image characteristics and the factors that influence them
   1. Differentiate between radiolucent and radiopaque areas on a radiographic image   
   2. Describe a diagnostic dental radiograph
   3. List two visual characteristics of a radiographic image and the factors that influence them               
   4. Describe a step-wedge
   5. List three geometric characteristics of a radiographic image and the factors that influence them  
   6. Define focal spot, penumbra, resolution, target-film distance, and object film distance
9. Relate proper processing of x-ray film
   1. List important features of a darkroom
   2. Identify darkroom equipment
   3. List and indicate the purpose of chemicals used in creating radiographic images
   4. Compare steps for proper manual and automatic processing of films
   5. Identify common darkroom errors on radiographs
   6. Describe methods to prevent errors
10. Assess appearances of normal radiographic landmarks, artifacts, and shadows
    1. Determine radiopaque and radiolucent substances
    2. Identify restorative materials on the radiograph
    3. Describe variations in the radiographic appearance of normal landmarks and suggest reasons for such variations
11. Apply clinical skills to expose, mount, and evaluate two (2) full mouth x-rays, one (1) panoramic x-ray with 4 bitewings, and one (1) pediatric bitewing series on DXTTR at 80% or better proficiency