Dental Science

Dental Radiography Syllabus Hilary Term 2019/20

Fridays 9am-11am

Week 1 Introduction to Dental Radiography Course Dr Shane

(10h Jan) Foley
Concepts of Radiation
Week 1 Introduction, Wave concept, Properties of EM radiation, EM spectrum, Online
Wavelengths, Wave form properties of radiation, Properties of X-radiation, Presentation
Particle concept, Wave particle duality, Ionisation, Biological equivalent
wavelengths.

Week 2 X-ray Production

(17th Jan) Review of X-ray tube components. Cathode functions; thermionic emission. Dr Shane
Anode functions: electron interactions at target. Radiation types: Foley
characteristic & braking. Factors which effect quality & intensity of radiation

Week 2 *5 minute in class test (Concepts of Radiation online presentation content)

(17th Jan)
General and Dental X-ray tubes Dr Shane
X-ray Tube Construction: Evacuated Envelope, Cathode, Anode, Focussing Foley
Device, Oil, Housing, Mechanisms. Workings: Production of kV and mAs,
cables and electronics Ideal requirements, features, construction, additional
features, workings (filtration, collimation, spacer cones, timers, suspension).

Week 3 Interaction with Tissue

(24th Jan) Photoelectric Absorption & Compton Scatter: processes and implications to Dr Jonathan
image quality. McNulty

Bioeffects of Radiation
Direct and indirect effects of ionising radiation. Free radical influence. Dr Jonathan
Stochastic & non stochastic effects and relevance to dental radiology McNulty

Week 4 Image Production and Film

(31st Jan) Image components: radio-opaque, radiolucent and grey areas. Factors which Dr Jonathan
affect the image: subject, X-ray beam, recording medium. Limitations of a 2D McNulty
image. Types and principles of direct and indirect exposure film. The direct
film packet. Construction of film. Emulsion response. Film characteristics.
Factors which effect film performance. Care. Patient identification on images.

Film Processing: Principles and Practice

Developer: recognition of exposed crystals; allied chemicals; side product;
factors which affect performance. Fixer: function; allied chemicals;
production of silver; factors effecting fixation. Wash and dry: principles and
efficiency; automatic versus manual processing. Transport system. Cycle time.
Processor capacity. Replenishment. Maintenance. Darkroom features.
 Darkroom lighting: white and safelights

*5 minute in class test (Bioeffects of Radiation / Interaction with Tissue)

Supplementary Reading: Screens and Cassettes

Screens: applications and principles; number of screens; construction, function Online
and types of phosphors; quantum detection efficiency, quantum conversion Presentation
efficiency, intensification factor and spectral emission; factors which effect s
performance.
Cassettes: function; constructions; attenuation characteristics; types; storage
and care. Patient identification on images.

Week 5 Basic and Advanced Concepts: Exposure Factors Ms Shauna

(7th Feb) Radiation quantity & quality, Fine focus / broad focus, film/focus distance, Murphy
beam attenuation, interaction of kVp & mAs, scattered radiation, field size &
collimation, film screen / recording factors, unsharpness Ug, Um, Up,
processing conditions influences, artefact influences.

*5 minute in class test: Film processing

Radiology QA Ms Shauna
Photographic: Processor: sensitometric indices – fog, speed and contrast; Murphy
washing efficiency; pH; silver levels; temperature; replenishment. Other QA:
relative speeds of image receptors; cassette light leakage; reject analysis;
safelight handling tests; film screen contact.
Equipment: Quality control / quality assurance. Equipment QA: critical
examination, relocation examination, full safety inspection and machine audit,
daily checks. Practical QA: mechanical, electrical and radiation checks.
Digital: Faults and artefacts with digital equipment. Simple Quality Assurance
Week 6 Specialised X-ray tubes Mr Kevin
(14th Feb) Orthopantomography: principles, tube construction, cassettes, carriage Cronin
assembly, patient immobilisation techniques, principles of Arc & flat film
image production.

Cephalometry: principles, tube construction, assembly construction, principles

of magnification reduction.

Week 7 Image Quality Criteria and Film Faults Dr Shane

(21st Feb) Contrast: definition; optimal levels; influencing factors; Sharpness: definition; Foley
optimal levels; influencing factors; Resolution: definition; optimal levels;
influencing factors; Noise: quantum & structure mottle low density marks.
Reticulation. Dichroic fog. Stains on films. Non-processing faults. Film
Faults As a result of: fogging, storage, processing, handling, positioning,
exposure.

*5 minute in class test (Exposure Factors)

Digital image Production &Processing Dr Shane

o Receptors Foley
 o Acquisition and imaging chain
Principles of digital image production, Solid state detectors, Photostimulable
phosphor plates, Data storage and retrieval, data protection, transmission,
network, email.
Principles of digital processing including use of window level and width,
matrix size, filtering techniques, distance measurements, quantitative
assessments, histograms, image enhancement, zooming.

Week 8 Legislation
(28th Feb) Introduction to Code of practice for radiological protection in dentistry (RPII A.N. Other
1996), Irish and European Regulations, SI478, SI303. Other relevant
legislation, Implication of legislation for dental clinical and practices.

Dosimetry
Detection of radiation, Ionisation chambers, film and thermoluminescent
dosimeters (properties, structure, advantages and disadvantages), dose limits.

Radiation Protection A.N. Other

Justification. Optimisation, ALARA, Use of Diagnostic reference levels,
Rationale of radiation protection, Background radiation, Deterministic effects,
Stochastic effects, Incidents involving ionising radiation, Practical radiation
protection, Inverse square law, limitation of exposure, Shielding materials,
Operator protection, Patient protection: Primary and secondary barriers,
Pregnancy and Dental Radiography, use and sharing of pre existing
radiographic images, local rules and procedures, Radiation Protection
Advisor, Audit
Week 9 Radiographic Image Appraisal / Critique I
(6th Mar) Review of film faults, identification of common dental pathology such as: Dr Jonathan
caries, periapical disease, periodontal disease, abscess, Principles and McNulty
practice of interpretation, Viewing conditions light box computer screens,
Nature and limitations of the radiographic image, Critical assessment of
radiographic quality, geometry and distortion.

*5 minute in class test (Legislation / Radiation Protection)

Dr Jonathan
Radiographic Image Appraisal / Critique II McNulty

Week 10 Cone beam CT: principles and operation Mr Daniel

(13th Mar) McIlgorm
Supplementary Reading: Chemical Hazards
Legislation and guidelines: Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act; Control of Online
Substances Hazardous to Health. Hazardous effects: direct pharmacological Presentation
effects; irritant and sensitising response. Commonly reported symptoms.
Studies regarding X-ray chemical hazards: New Zealand; UK; Ireland (Nallon
et al.). Practical ways of reducing hazards
Week 11 Revision Tutorial Dr Shane
(20th Mar) Foley

Week 12 Student directed revision

 27nd
March