DHYG 3760L - Dental Radiology Lab
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 41235,
Credit hours: 1
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Suzanne Smith
Email: smsmith05@ysu.edu
Course Description
TEACHING METHODS/LEARNING EXPERIENCES
A. Demonstrations
B. Discussions
C. Audiovisuals
D. Hands-on practice
COURSE OUTLINE
A. Course Introduction – Syllabus, Clinic Tour, DHYG Radiograph Policies (3 hour)
B. Identification of X-Ray Machine Components (2 hours)
1. Yoke
2. Vertical angulations dial
3. Position indicating device
4. Folding tube arm bracket
5. Control panel
6. Tube head
C. Technical Aspects of Radiation production (4 hours)
1. Operation of x-ray machine
2. Radiation exposure factors
3. Effects of variations in exposure time, kilovoltage and distance
4. Radiographic contrast and density
D. Radiation Protection (3 hours)
1. Professional concern and responsibility
2. Radiation safety legislation
3. Guides for maintaining safe radiation
4. Structural modifications
E. Quality Administration in Dental Radiography (1 hour)
1. Quality Administration
2. Quality Control
F. Identification of Landmarks (3 hours)
1. Anatomical Landmarks
2. Mounting
G. Preliminary Interpretation (4 hours)
1. Abnormalities
2. Pathologies
3. Artifacts
H. Identifying and correcting technique errors (6 hours)
1. Errors caused by incorrect exposure settings
2. Errors caused by incorrect positioning
I. Interproximal or Bitewing Examination (6 hours)
1. Fundamentals of interproximal radiography
2. Horizontal and vertical interproximal exposures
J. The Periapical Examination (6 hours)
1. Image requirements for the periapical survey
2. Paralleling technique
3. Bisecting technique
4. Panoramic technique
K. Panoramic Radiography (3 hours)
L. Special Surveys (3 hours)
1. Pediatric surveys
2. Edentulous surveys
M. Patient Education (1 hour)
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Dental Radiography Principles and Techniques (6th ed.) | Ianucci, J., & Howerton, L. | 9780323695503 |
| Required | Dental Radiology Lab Manual: Dental Hygiene 3760L | Smith, S. & Conner, A. | |
| Optional | Wilkin’s Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist, 14th Ed | Boyd, L.D. & Mallonee, L.F. | 978-1284255997 |
| Required | YSU Dr. Madeleine Haggerty Dental Hygiene Program Policies and Procedures Manual (2026) | ||
| 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. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue | 8/25 | Chapters: 4, 7, 15 | Dental Radiology Course Orientation: • Course Syllabus • Tour of DHYG Radiology Areas • Review DHYG Radiograph Policies • Introduce Intraoral X-ray Unit and Bitewing Technique | Print Dental Radiology Lab Manual |
| Tue | 9/1 | Chapters: 17, 18, 21 | Introduce: • Radiology Lab Assistant Role and Evaluation • Dexis digital software • Operating the x-ray machine • Dexis Dental Software • Bitewing Technique for Horizontal BWs • Bitewing Grading (Point deductions) Expose S/U HBWs on DXTTR | |
| Tue | 9/8 | Chapters: 8, 22, 28, 30-35 | Introduction to digital radiography: • grading criteria, AI, TE, DR • radiograph criteria for 18-image full mouth series (focus on 4 bitewing images) • radiograph grading guidelines • examples of calculus, caries, bone loss for radiographic interpretation Continue HBW Assignment | |
| Tue | 9/15 | Chapters: 4, 21 | Exam 1 HBW Assignment Due Introduce Vertical Bitewings Introduce Recommendations for Prescribing Radiographs | Exam 1 HBW assignment due |
| Tue | 9/22 | Chapters: 11, 16 | Infection control for digital radiography; introduce policies and procedures Hands-on placement of sensor for BWs on student partner Continue VBW Assignment Mounting HBW Exercise Review Exam 1 | |
| Tue | 9/29 | Chapter: 19 | Quiz 1 Introduce Paralleling Technique Introduce Paralleling Assignment | Quiz 1 - HBW VBW ASSIGNMENT DUE |
| Tue | 10/6 | Chapters: 12, 13, 14 | RINN ORA Evaluation Continue Paralleling Assignment Introduce Final Practical CMX and Evaluation Mounting CMX Exercise Review Quiz 1 | RINN ORA Evaluation |
| Tue | 10/13 | Exam 2 Complete Exposure of Paralleling CMX Assignment Download pdf image of DXTTR VBW series for DHYG 3703L e-portfolio | Exam 2 | |
| Tue | 10/20 | Chapter: 24 | Paralleling Assignment Due Introduce printing radiographs Introduce paralleling assignment for Pedo DXTTR | Paralleling Assignment Due |
| Tue | 10/27 | Chapters: 25, 29 | Quiz 2 Complete Exposure of Pedo CMX Introduce Panoramic Technique (video); Panoramic Unit and Test Mode; Policies & Procedures (DHYG Manual) Hands-on placement of sensor for PAs on student partner | Quiz #2 - VBW |
| Tue | 11/3 | Chapters: 4, 25, 29 | Quiz 3 Pedo Assignment Due Student Pairs Practice Panoramic Positioning and Review Evaluation Review Guidelines for Prescribing Radiographs Review Quiz 2 EXPOSE FINAL PRACTICAL CMX Evaluation | Quiz #3 – CMX PEDO ASSIGNMENT DUE Final Practical CMX Evaluation Due |
| Tue | 11/10 | Chapters: 4, 23, 24, 25, 29 | Introduce Edentulous Technique Introduce Occlusal Technique Student Pairs Practice Panoramic Positioning and Review Evaluation Review Guidelines for Prescribing Radiographs Review Quiz EXPOSE FINAL PRACTICAL CMX Evaluation | Final Practical CMX Evaluation Due |
| Tue | 11/17 | Exam 3 Review Panoramic Positioning, Q&A Panoramic Evaluation and Grade Sheet and Interpretation Panoramic Evaluation Panoramic Assignment | EXAM 3 PANORAMIC ASSIGNMENT and EVALUATION DUE | |
| Tue | 11/24 | Final Practical Assignment Due Review Exam 3 Review Panoramic Evaluation Review Panoramic Assignment Students Sign Radiation Training Documentation Form | FINAL PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT DUE | |
| Tue | 12/1 | Chapters: 7, 20, 21 | Confirm that: • Clinic Dentist has Diagnosed All Final CMX Images • Final CMX was printed and given to the Patient • All lab requirements are complete • All Grades in Blackboard match grades in folders Introduce Dexis Nomad, Policies and Procedures Review Bisecting Angle Technique Place PAs for Bisecting Technique Expose 1 Set of HBWs with a Bite Tab on the Sensor Barrier | BISECTING ASSIGNMENT DUE |
| Tue | 12/8 | Comprehensive of all Week 1-15 Class Readings | Final Examinations 9 am -11 am | Final Exams |
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.