Academic Catalog

D A 53B: DENTAL RADIOGRAPHY II

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2026
Units: 2
Hours: 1 lecture, 3 laboratory per week (48 total per quarter)
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade Only
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Identify one radiolucent and one radiopaque anatomical feature in each arch.
  • Recognize horizontal angulation errors for premolar and molar bitewing radiograph and correct the error on a manequin

Description

This is the second course in a three-part series on dental radiography. The lecture focuses on the techniques for taking radiographic images of patients across all age groups with unique dental needs. Introduction to extraoral imaging with the panoramic machine includes identification of radiolucent and radiopaque landmarks of the head and neck. In the laboratory, skill building in intraoral radiography is continued with improving techniques for parallelism, enhancing patient management, and reducing technique errors. Intended for students in the Dental Assisting Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

Dental Assisting Theory and Practice

  1. Discuss the advantages of panoramic radiography.
  2. Identify skull anatomy on radiographic images.
  3. Describe the various modifications in radiographic techniques for patients with special needs.

Infection Control and Hazardous Waste Management

  1. Apply infection control protocols in dental radiographic procedures.

Radiation Health and Safety

  1. Apply radiation safety principles in panoramic radiography.
  2. Expose a panoramic radiograph under faculty supervision.
  3. Demonstrate proficiency in minimizing retakes of radiographic images.

Ethical and Legal Principles

  1. Identify diagnostic images.

Course Content

Dental Assisting Theory and Practice

  1. Panoramic radiography
    1. Extraoral technique
    2. Purpose and use
      1. Children/adolescents
      2. Orthodontic patients
      3. Trauma patients
      4. 3rd molar evaluation
  2. Anatomic landmarks on radiographic images
    1. Maxillary sinus
    2. Median palatal suture
    3. Zygomatic arch
    4. Mandibular canal
    5. Mental foramen
    6. Genial tubercle
    7. Condyle
    8. Coronoid process
  3. Dental radiography for specialized populations
    1. Pediatric
    2. Geriatric
    3. Visually impaired
    4. Hearing impaired
    5. Gaggers

Radiation Health and Safety

  1. Radiation safety in panoramic radiography
    1. Lead cape
    2. Collimation

Ethical and Legal Principles

  1. Diagnostic quality images
    1. Contrast and density
    2. Horizontal angulations
    3. Vertical angulations
    4. Elongation and foreshortening
    5. Cone cut

Lab Content

Radiation Health and Safety

  1. Image exposures on mannequins and patients
    1. Bitewings technique (BWS)
    2. Full mouth technique (FMS)
    3. Panoramic radiographic technique
    4. Occlusal technique
  2. Continued practice on image acquisition and critiques of diagnostic images
  3. Panoramic radiographic techniques will be demonstrated
  4. Peer and instructor evaluations on panoramic imaging

Infection Control and Hazardous Waste Management

  1. Cross contamination during radiographic exposures
    1. Unit disinfection and armamentarium
    2. Sterilization of reusable items

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. Gown, safety glasses, masks, gloves, and face shields.
2. X-ray laboratory, mannequins, digital sensors, panoramic machine, computer, monitor, dental software.
3. Intermediate-level disinfectants.
4. When taught as a hybrid section, on-going access to computer with email software and hardware; email address.

Method(s) of Evaluation

Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:

Written exams
Slide quizzes
Laboratory/clinical performance evaluations

Method(s) of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:

Lecture
Discussion
Observation
Cooperative learning exercises

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Iannucci and Howerton. Dental Radiography, 6th ed.. 2022.

Yamamoto, J. Lab Policy and Information Manual.

Yamamoto, J. D A 53B Syllabus.

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

  1. Writing assignment example: List the procedures and state the rationale involved in taking a diagnostic panoramic x-ray. Include all technical aspects and the prevention of diagnostic errors.
  2. Assigned lab readings will be from the lab syllabus and the policy manual.

Discipline(s)

Dental Technology