Module 4: Dental Radiographer Basics

Module 4 will consist of Chapters 12-17.

This module will cover the importance of dental images and why imagining is a necessary component of comprehensive patient care for dental radiographers. Sufficient background knowledge and technical skills are necessary in order to perform dental imaging procedures. Good patient relations and interpersonal communication skills may be one of the most challenging skills that a dental radiographer may encounter. Nonverbal, verbal, listening, and facilitation skills are required to enhance patient communication. The radiographer must be able to educate patients regarding the importance of dental images and answer questions about the need for dental images, x-ray exposures, the safety of dental x-rays, digital imaging, and any other questions or concerns the patient might have regarding dental imaging. Infection prevention protocols are used in dentistry to minimize the potential for disease transmission. To protect themselves as a dental radiographer and their patients, dental professionals must understand and use infection control prevention protocols before, during, and after exposure procedures. As required by the HARP Act and Safety Code 30, the dental radiographer must be knowledgeable about the quality assurance program used in the dental practice. Quality assurance procedures in the dental office are special procedures such as quality control tests used to monitor dental x-ray units, supplies, film processing, and digital imaging equipment to ensure the production of high-quality diagnostic images. The dental radiographer plays an important role in the implementation and administration of such a plan.

Chapter 12: Dental Images and the Dental Radiographer

The purpose Chapter 12:

• To review the importance and benefits of dental images and the knowledge and skill requirements of the dental radiographer
• To define the role of the dental radiographer and describe his or her duties and responsibilities
• To outline the professional goals of the dental radiographer
• The dental radiographer must understand the importance of dental images and the reasons why imaging is a necessary component of comprehensive patient care.

Chapter 13: Patient Relations and the Dental Radiographer

The purpose of Chapter 13:

Chapter 14: Patient Education and the Dental Radiographer

The purpose of Chapter 14:

• Understand the importance of dental imagining and the reasons why imaging is a necessary component of comprehensive patient care.
• Have sufficient background knowledge and technique skills to perform dental imaging procedures.
• Answer common patient questions about the need, exposure and safety of dental imaging

Chapter 16: Infection Prevention and the Dental Radiographer

The purpose of Chapter 16:

• Present rationale for infection control.
• Review guidelines from the CDC.
• Describe in detail the step-by-step infection control procedures used in dental imaging.
• Infectious diseases present a significant hazard in the dental environment.
• Infection control protocols are used in dentistry to minimize the potential for disease transmission.

Chapter 17: Quality Assurance in the Dental Office

The purpose of Chapter 17:

• To introduce the dental radiographer to quality control tests that are used to monitor dental x-ray equipment, supplies, and film processing.

Attributions for this Module

Copyright © 2012, 2006, 2000, 1996 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.