DHYG 3760 - Dental Radiology
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 41173,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Suzanne Smith
Email: smsmith05@ysu.edu
Course Description
TEACHING METHODS/LEARNING EXPERIENCES
A. Lecture
B. Audiovisuals
C. Discussion
D. Continuing education courses on www.dentalcare.com
E. Textbook website (Evolve/Elsevier)
COURSE OUTLINE
A. Radiation History (1.5 hours)
1. Key terms
2. Importance and uses of dental images
3. Discovery of x-radiation
4. Pioneers in dental x-radiation
5. History
a. Dental x-ray equipment
b. Dental x-ray film
c. Dental radiographic techniques
d. Dental imaging
B. Radiation Physics (2.5 hours)
1. Key terms
2. Atomic structure
3. Ionization
4. Types of radiation
5. Characteristics of electromagnetic radiation
6. Properties of x-radiation
7. X-Ray Machine
a. Component parts
b. Tube head
c. Dental x-ray tube
8. Production of x-radiation
9. Interactions of x-rays with matter
a. No interaction
b. Absorption and photoelectric effect
c. Compton scatter
d. Coherent scatter
C. Radiation Biology (1.5 hours)
1. Key terms
2. Radiation injury
a. Mechanisms and theory
b. Dose-response curve
c. Sequence of injury
d. Determining factors for injury
3. Radiation effects
a. Short-term and long-term
b. Somatic and genetic
c. Relative sensitivity of tissues to radiation
4. Radiation measurements
5. Sources of radiation exposure
6. Risk
a. Exposure risks
b. Risk estimates
c. Risk vs. benefit
D. Radiation Protection (1.5 hours)
1. Key terms
2. Patient protection
a. Before x-ray exposure
b. During x-ray exposure
3. Filtration
4. Collimation
5. Receptor handling and processing
6. Operator protection
7. Monitoring devices
8. Radiation exposure guidelines
9. Patient education
E. Radiation Characteristics (2 hours)
1. Key terms
2. Kilovoltage peak (KVp)
a. Quality of the useful beam
b. Density
c. Contrast
d. Range of KVp
3. Milliamperage (mA)
a. Quantity of the x-ray beam
b. Density
c. Relationship to exposure time
d. Range of KVp
4. Intensity
a. Kilovoltage peak
b. Milliamperage
c. Exposure time
d. Distance
e. Inverse square law
f. Half-value layer
F. Dental X-ray Image Characteristics (1.5 hours)
1. Key terms
2. Image Characteristics
a. Radiolucent
b. Radiopaque
3. Visual characteristics
a. Density
b. Contrast
i. film vs. subject contrast
ii. high vs. low contrast
iii. short-scale vs. long-scale contrast
iv. stepwedge
4. Geometric characteristics
a. Sharpness
b. Magnification
c. Distortion
G. Dental X-ray Equipment (.75 hours)
1. Key terms
2. Regulation of x-ray machines
3. Types of x-ray machines
a. Intraoral
b. Extraoral
c. Portable
4. Component parts of an x-ray machine
5. Receptor holders, beam alignment devices, and collimating devices
H. Digital Imaging (.50 hours)
1. Key terms
2. Purpose and use
3. Radiation exposure concepts
4. Types
5. Equipment used
6. Advantages and disadvantages
I. Dental X-ray Film (.75 hours)
1. Key terms
2. Importance
3. Dental x-ray film composition
4. Latent image
5. Intraoral film
6. Extraoral film
7. Film speed
8. Intensifying screens and cassettes
9. Film storage and protection
J. Film Processing (1.5 hours)
1. Key terms
2. Automatic film processor
a. Component parts
b. Procedural steps
c. Care and maintenance
3. Darkroom
4. Film duplication
5. Processing errors
K. Film Mounting and Viewing (.75 hours)
1. Key terms
2. Mounting and Viewing
a. Qualified individuals
b. Time and place
c. Labeling
d. Relationship to digital imaging
e. Equipment
f. Procedure/sequence
g. Knowledge of anatomy
h. Preferred method
3. X-ray examinations
a. Areas
b. Diseases
c. Abnormalities
L. Dental Images and the Dental Radiographer (.50 hours)
1. Key terms
2. Dental images
a. Importance
b. Uses
c. Benefits
d. Common dental conditions seen
3. Dental radiographer
a. Knowledge and skill requirements
b. Duties and responsibilities
c. Professional goals
M. Patient Relations and the Dental Radiographer (.50 hours)
1. Key terms
2. Communication
a. Verbal
b. Nonverbal
c. Listening
3. Trust/ Facilitation skills
4. Patient relations
a. First impressions
b. Chairside manner
c. Attitude
N. Patient Education and the Dental Radiographer (.50 hours)
1. Key Terms
2. Importance
3. Methods
4. Common questions
O. Legal Issues and the Dental Radiographer (1.5 hours)
1. Key terms
2. Federal and state regulations
3. Licensure requirements
4. Risk management
5. Informed consent and Informed refusal
6. Malpractice
7. Dental records
P. Infection Prevention and the Dental Radiographer (.75 hour)
1. Key terms
2. Rationale
3. Infection control procedures
a. Before x-ray exposure
b. During x-ray exposure
c. After x-ray exposure
Q. Quality Assurance in the Dental Office (1.5 hours)
1. Key terms
2. Purpose and frequency of testing x-ray machines
3. Quality assurance plan
a. Quality control tests
b. Administration procedures
4. Operator competence
R. Introduction to Dental Imaging Examinations (1.5 hour)
1. Key terms
2. Intraoral radiographic examination
a. Types
b. Purpose
c. Receptor and technique used
b. General diagnostic criteria
3. Extraoral radiographic examination
4. Prescribing dental images
S. Paralleling Technique (1.5 hours)
1. Key terms
2. Basic principles and rules
3. Equipment
4. Preparation
a. Equipment
b. Patient
5. Procedures
6. Modifications
7. Advantages and disadvantages
T. Bisecting Technique (1.5 hours)
1. Key terms
2. Basic principles and rules
3. Equipment
4. Preparation
a. Equipment
b. Patient
5. Procedures
U. Bite-Wing Technique (1.5 hours)
1. Key terms
2. Purpose and use
3. Basic principles and rules
4. Equipment
5. Preparation
a. Equipment
b. Patient
6. Procedures
7. Bitewing series
a. Number of exposures
b. Horizontal vs. Vertical bitewings
c. Modifications
V. Exposure and Technique Errors (1.5 hours)
1. Key terms
2. Appearance of image errors
a. Technique errors
b. Receptor placement errors
c. Angulation errors
d. Beam alignment errors
e. Miscellaneous errors
W. Occlusal and Localization Techniques (1.5 hours)
1. Key terms
2. Purpose and uses
a. Occlusal examination
b. Localization techniques
3. Preparation
a. Patient
b. Equipment
4. Vertical angulations for occlusal technique
a. Maxillary occlusal projections
b. Mandibular occlusal projections
5. Localization techniques
a. Buccal object rule
b. Right-angle technique
X. Imaging of Patients with Special Needs (1.5 hour)
1. Key terms
2. Gag reflex
3. Disabilities and modifications in technique
a. Physical
b. Developmental
4. Pediatric patients
a. Tooth eruption sequence
b. Prescribing dental images
c. Recommended techniques
d. Patient management
5. Purpose and uses of imaging examinations for
a. Edentulous patients
b. Endodontic patients
Y. Panoramic Imaging (.75 hours)
1. Key terms
2. Purpose, use and fundamentals
3. Equipment
4. Preparation
a. Patient
b. Equipment
c. Patient positioning
5. Diagnostic image
6. Errors and corrections
7. Advantages and disadvantages
Z. Extraoral Imaging (.50 hours)
1. Key terms
2. Purpose and uses
3. Equipment
4. Preparation
a. equipment
b. patient
4. Projection techniques
a. Lateral jaw
b. Skull
c. TMJ
AA. Three-Dimensional Digital Imaging (.50 hours)
1. Key terms
2. Fundamentals and uses
3. Training and equipment
4. Common uses
5. Equipment and patient preparation
6. Advantages and disadvantages
BB. Normal Anatomy: Intraoral Images (.75 hours)
1. Key terms
2. Anatomic landmarks
a. Maxilla
b. Mandible
3. Tooth anatomy
a. Tooth
b. Supporting structures
c. Radiolucent vs. radiopaque
CC. Normal Anatomy: Panoramic Images (1.5 hours)
1. Key terms
2. Bony landmarks
a. Maxilla
b. Mandible
c. Surrounding structures
2. Air spaces
3. Soft tissues
DD. Introduction to Image Interpretation (.75 hours)
1. Key terms
2. Importance
3. Roles of dental personnel
4. Time, place, sequence
5. Patient education
EE. Descriptive Terminology (.75 hours)
1. Key terms
2. Radiolucent lesions
a. Appearance
b. Location
c. Size
3. Radiopaque lesions
a. Appearance
b. Location
c. Size
FF. Identification of Restorations, Dental Materials, and Foreign Objects (.50 hours)
1. Key terms
2. Materials used in dentistry
a. Restorative
b. Orthodontic
c. Prosthodontic
d. Endodontic
e. Surgical
3. Miscellaneous objects
GG. Interpretation of Dental Caries (.50 hours)
1. Key terms
2. Appearance
3. Interpretation
4. Conditions with similar appearances
HH. Interpretation of Periodontal Diseases (.50 hours)
1. Key terms
2. Recommendations
a. Image type
b. Exposure technique
3. Interpretation of bone loss
a. Horizontal vs. vertical
b. Localized vs. generalized
c. Mild, moderate, and severe
4. 2018 Classifications
5. Appearance of calculus
II. Interpretation of Trauma, Pulpal Lesions, and Periapical Lesions (1.5 hours)
1. Key terms
2. Fractures
a. Crown
b. Root
c. Jaw
3. Resorption
a. Internal
b. External
4. Pulpal conditions
a. Sclerosis
b. Obliteration
c. Stones
5. Periapical Radiolucencies
a. Granuloma
b. Cyst
c. Abscess
6. Periapical Radiopacities
a. Condensing osteitis
b. Sclerotic bone
c. Hypercementosis
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Dental Radiography Principles and Techniques, 6th ed. | Ianucci, J., & Howerton, L. | 978-0323695503 |
| Required | #559: Intraoral Imaging: Basic Principles, Techniques and Error | dentalcare.com | |
| Required | #601: Intraoral Radiographic Anatomy | dentalcare.com | |
| Required | #533: Panoramic Radiographs: Technique and Anatomy Review | dentalcare.com | |
| Optional | Wilkin’s Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist, 14th | Boyd, L.D. & Mallonee, L.F | 978-1284255997 |
| Optional | Exercises in Oral Radiography and Interpretation, 5th ed. | Langlais, R., Miller C. | 978-0323400633 |
The course readings are based on the current edition of the course textbooks. Students are responsible for all assigned course readings as specified in the Tentative Course Schedule of this syllabus. Classroom lecture, PowerPoint presentations, and study guides are based on the course readings. Additional information, examples, and images in the assigned course readings supplement and reinforce the classroom activities and provide deeper understanding and learning. Assessment questions may be based on all course readings and content; therefore, preparation should be comprehensive.
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Day | Date | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | 8/24 | Syllabus Chapter 18 Chapter 15 | Introduction to Course Introduction to Dental Imaging Examinations Legal Issues and the Dental Radiographer | Study Guide |
| Wed | 8/26 | Chapter 7 Chapter 21 | Dental X-ray Equipment Bite-wing Technique | Study Guide |
| Mon | 8/31 | Chapter 1 | CE Certificate #559 Due Quiz 1 Radiation History | CE Certificate #559 Due; Quiz 1; Study Guide |
| Wed | 9/2 | Chapter 2 | Radiation Physics | Study Guide |
| Mon | 9/7 | No Class | ||
| Wed | 9/9 | Chapter 3 | Radiation Biology | Study Guide |
| Mon | 9/14 | Chapter 4 | Quiz 2 Radiation Protection | Quiz 2; Study Guide |
| Wed | 9/16 | Chapter 5 | Radiation Characteristics | Study Guide |
| Mon | 9/21 | Chapter 6 | Dental X-ray Image Characteristics | Study Guide |
| Wed | 9/23 | Chapter 11 | Quiz 3 Film Mounting and Viewing | Quiz 3; Study Guide |
| Mon | 9/28 | Chapter 19 | Paralleling Technique | Study Guide |
| Wed | 9/30 | Exam #1 (All Chapters Weeks 1-5) | Exam #1 | |
| Mon | 10/5 | Chapter 28 | CE Certificate #601 Due Normal Anatomy: Intraoral Imaging | CE Certificate #601 Due; Study Guide |
| Wed | 10/7 | Chapter 9 and Chapter 10 | Quiz 4; Dental X-ray Film Film Processing | Quiz 4; Study Guide |
| Mon | 10/12 | Chapter 22 | Exposure and Technique Errors | Study Guide |
| Wed | 10/14 | Chapter 16 and Chapter 17 | Quiz 5; Infection Control and the Dental Radiographer; Quality Assurance in the Dental Office | Quiz 5; Study Guide |
| Mon | 10/19 | Chapter 25 | CE Certificate #533 Due Panoramic Imaging | CE Certificate #533 Due; Study Guide |
| Wed | 10/21 | Chapter 29 | Quiz 6 Normal Anatomy: Panoramic Imaging | Quiz 6; Study Guide |
| Mon | 10/26 | Chapter 23 | Occlusal and Localization Techniques | Study Guide |
| Wed | 10/28 | Chapter 24 | Imaging of Patients with Special Needs | Study Guide |
| Mon | 11/2 | Chapters 12, 13, and 14 | Dental Radiographs and the Dental Radiographer; Patient Relations and the Dental Radiographer; Patient Education and the Dental Radiographer | Study Guide |
| Wed | 11/4 | Chapter 8 | Quiz 7; Digital Imaging | Quiz 7; Study Guide |
| Mon | 11/9 | Chapter 26 and 27 | Extraoral Imaging Three-Dimensional Digital Imaging | Study Guide |
| Wed | 11/11 | No Class | ||
| Mon | 11/16 | Chapter 30 and 31 | Introduction to Image Interpretation Descriptive Terminology | Study Guide |
| Wed | 11/18 | Exam #2 (All Chapters Weeks 6-13) | Exam #2 | |
| Mon | 11/23 | Chapter 32, 33, and 34 | Identification of Restorations, Dental Materials and Foreign Objects; Interpretation of Dental Caries; Interpretation of Periodontal Disease | Study Guide |
| Wed | 11/25 | No Class | ||
| Mon | 11/30 | Chapter 35 | Quiz 8 Interpretation of Trauma and Pulpal and Periapical Lesions | Quiz 8; Study Guide |
| Wed | 12/2 | Chapter 20 | Bisecting Technique | Study Guide |
| Mon | 12/7 | Comprehensive of all Week 1-15 Class Readings | Final Examination 8 am -10 am | Final Examination |
| Wed | 12/9 | No Class |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.