Academic Catalog

D A 53C: DENTAL RADIOGRAPHY III

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2026
Units: 1
Hours: 3 laboratory per week (36 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

  • Expose a diagnostic panoramic radiograph with adequate focal trough placements and adequate contrast and density.
  • Recognize four normal anatomical skull landmarks on the panoramic radiograph
  • Recognize four normal anatomical skull landmarks on the panoramic radiograph.

Description

This is the final course in a three-part series on dental radiography. Students will take diagnostic intraoral and extraoral dental radiographs on patients of all ages and ethnicities. The course places a strong emphasis on improving time efficiency, patient management, and radiation safety. 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. Expose, on a mounted mannequin, an upper and lower occlusal image demonstrating an adequate view of the area being surveyed.

Infection Control and Hazardous Waste Management

  1. Apply infection control protocols in dental radiographic procedures.

Radiation Health and Safety

  1. Expose two diagnostically acceptable bitewing x-rays on patients with no more than two retakes.
  2. Expose two diagnostically acceptable full mouth survey on patients with no more than four retakes.
  3. Expose a diagnostic panoramic radiograph on a patient with a passing score of 75% or above.

Ethical and Legal Principles

  1. Accurately document radiographic procedures in the patient's chart.

Course Content

Dental Assisting Theory and Practice

  1. Maxillary and mandibular occlusal projections
    1. Purpose for occlusal radiographs
    2. Image size
    3. Patient preparation
    4. Vertical angulations of tubehead

Radiation Health and Safety

  1. Patient exposures of BW radiographs
    1. Purpose for BW radiographs
    2. Patient safety
    3. Horizontal techniques
  2. Patient exposure of full mouth radiographs
    1. Purpose for full mouth radiographs
    2. Patient safety
    3. Horizontal and vertical techniques

Lab Content

Infection Control and Hazardous Waste Management

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

Ethical and Legal Principles

  1. Empathy and compassion toward fearful patients
  2. Patient chart documentation

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. Gown, safety glasses, masks, face shields, and gloves.
2. X-ray laboratory, training mannequin, panoramic unit, direct digital sensors, computer and dental software.
3. Autoclave, 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:

Grading on lab assignments
Grading on full mouth, bitewing, and panoramic images
Patient requirement completions
Quizzes

Method(s) of Instruction

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

Laboratory demonstration and observation
Image grading and feedback on all radiographs

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

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

Yamamoto, J. Radiology Lab Policy and Information Manual.

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

  1. Chapters include localization techniques, extraoral radiography identifying normal anatomical landmarks, atypical landmarks.
  2. Read current research articles on radiation safety.

Discipline(s)

Dental Technology