Academic Catalog

D H 305A: INTRODUCTION TO DENTAL RADIOGRAPHY I

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2026
Units: 2
Hours: 2 lecture per week (24 total per quarter)
Advisory: Not open to students with credit in D H 60A.
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade Only
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Describe radiation interaction with biological matter (chromosomal, carcinogenesis) and identify at least four radiation protective factors provided to the patient to reduce radiation absorption and exposure.
  • Write the three steps that occur to produce an x-ray photon, and describe the purpose for each component part within the tubehead responsible for photon production.

Description

This is the first in the series of four courses in dental radiography for dental hygiene students. This course provides a foundation for understanding the various components, functions, and operation of dental x-ray units with an emphasis on radiation safety. Radiation physics and biology are covered, and students will learn how to analyze the relationships between anatomical structures and radiographic landmarks through interactive lectures, videos, and discussions. Intended for students in the Dental Hygiene Baccalaureate Degree Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Identify sources of radiation by describing the differences between natural radiation and synthetic radiation.
  2. Describe the effects of ionizing radiation on tissues and organs.
  3. Discuss radiation safety for the patient and the operator.
  4. Interpret the radiographic appearance of tooth anatomy.
  5. Interpret the radiographic distinctions of dental bone.
  6. Accurately compare the anatomical landmarks on a skull with the same landmarks on a radiographic image.

Course Content

  1. Radiation sources that affect humans
    1. Natural background radiation
      1. Radon
      2. Cosmic
      3. Solar
    2. Synthetic "man-made" radiation
      1. Security scanner
      2. CT medical scan
      3. Dental x-ray machine
    3. X-ray production in the Coolidge tube
      1. Source of electrons and thermionic energy
      2. kVp and kinetic energy
      3. Tungsten target and copper stem
      4. Photon interaction with matter; scatter radiation
      5. Ionization and free radical formation
  2. Tissue and organ sensitivity to ionizing radiation
    1. Biologic effects of radiation production
      1. Effects of ionizing radiation on the individual cell
      2. Radiosensitivity of individual tissues and organs
      3. Chronic radiation exposure
      4. Acute radiation exposure
    2. Cumulative effects of x-ray damage
      1. Medical illness
      2. Somatic effects
      3. Genetic effects
      4. Chromosomal damage
    3. Maximum permissible dose (MPD)
      1. Rad
      2. Rem
      3. Roentgen
      4. Sievert
      5. Gray
  3. Radiation safety in dentistry
    1. Maximum permissible dose (MPD) - patient
      1. Thyroid collar
      2. Lead cape
      3. Lead apron
      4. Aluminum filters
      5. Collimator
      6. ADA radiation guidelines
      7. Digital technology
    2. Maximum permissible dose (MPD) - operator
      1. Wall construction
      2. Exposure button placement
      3. Dosimeter
      4. Certification and licensure
      5. Distance from source
  4. Radiographic dental anatomy
    1. Enamel
      1. Anisotropic enamel rods
      2. Minerals
      3. Radiographic distinction
    2. Dentin
      1. Organic matrix
      2. Radiographic distinction
    3. Pulp
      1. Vascular tissues
      2. Nerve tissue
      3. Radiographic distinction
  5. Radiographic bone anatomy
    1. Compact bone
      1. Cortical plate
    2. Alveolar bone
      1. Spongiosa
      2. Cancellous
      3. Trabeculation
    3. Lamina dura
      1. Cribriform plate
    4. Radiographic distinctions of dental bone
  6. Anatomical landmarks on a skull vs. image
    1. Mental foramen
      1. Location
      2. Function
      3. Radiographic appearance
    2. Mandibular canal
      1. Location
      2. Function
      3. Radiographic appearance
    3. Maxillary sinus
      1. Location
      2. Function
      3. Radiographic appearance
    4. Maxillary tuberosity
      1. Location
      2. Radiographic appearance

Lab Content

Not applicable.

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. Multimedia classroom.
2. When offered as an online course, students need on-going access to a computer with internet access and an email address.

Method(s) of Evaluation

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

Written quizzes
Midterm
Final exam
Analysis of diagnostic dental radiographs

Method(s) of Instruction

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

Lecture
Discussion
Cooperative learning exercises
Demonstrations

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

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

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

  1. Read assignments from the course primary textbook chapters listed on the course schedule that average 1-2 chapters per assignment.
  2. Review each chapter's learning objectives and summary.
  3. Review the lecture (average of 20-30 slides).
  4. Identify head and neck landmarks using skull pictures, drawings, textbooks, and slides.

Discipline(s)

Dental Technology