Radiation Safety for the Dental Auxiliary (Apr 28, 2023)

Radiation Safety for the Dental Auxiliary is organized by the University of Louisville (UL) School of Dentistry and will be held on Apr 28, 2023.

Course Description:
The Kentucky Board of Dentistry modified the minimum education requirements for dental assistants before they can take dental radiographs under the direct supervision of a dentist (201 KAR 8.57OE). Before taking x-rays at a dental office, all dental assistants must meet the following requirements:

1. Didactic Completion of a course on Radiation Safety: You can prove this by showing proof that you have completed the Radiography Section in the Dental Assistants National Board Examination or by attending a continuing education (CE) course (6 hours minimum) taught by a certified presenter.

2. Practice: A practicum course in X-ray technique (4 hours minimum). Before being permitted to expose radiographs, a dentist must sign off that the student has completed four hours of instruction in radiography techniques in their practice. After completing the Technique Training Course, the Technique Training Form must be returned to the Office of Continuing Education sixty (60) days after completion. A Certificate of Completion is issued once the form has been received. Failure to comply will result in an automatic loss. You will be granted one (1) chance to take the course again at 50% off the current fee. This is within one (1) year. This course meets the Didactic requirements of the Kentucky Board of Dentistry. An examination will be taken after the system has been presented. A 75% passing rate in analyzing the multiple-choice questions at the end is required to complete this course. Successfully passing the examination will allow you to expose radiographs on patients with the supervision of a dentist.

Course Objectives:

This course covers both clinical and theoretical topics. Participants will be able or able to understand and/or apply the following concepts at the end of this course:
• Discuss radiation history
• Define the role of radiology within modern dentistry
• Describe the fundamental principles and concepts of radiation
• Discuss the interaction between x-rays and matter
• Define key terms related to radiation physics and dental radiation
• Describe the process for ionization
• Differentiate particulate from electromagnetic radiation
• Describe how radiation is created
• Identify the parts of the X-ray machine and explain their function
• Explain Compton & Coherent Satter
• Recognize and explain the biological effects of ionizing radio radiation
• Describe radiation injury
• Discuss the short-term and long-term effects of radiation exposure.
• Describe radiation protection in the dental practice
• Define the ALARA concept
• Learn interpersonal skills for managing patient relationships
• Discuss legal issues in dental radiology
• Summarize the importance of educating patients about dental imaging
• Common questions regarding the safety of x-ray exposure and dental images
• Discuss intraoral techniques, such as paralleling and bisecting
• Define key terms related to panoramic imaging
• Discuss the purpose and uses of panoramic imaging

Course Outline:
• Radiation History
• Radiographs in Modern Dentistry
• X-Ray Machine Parts and Functions
• The Production of X-Radiation
• Radiation Biology
• Radiation Safety
• Intra-oral Radiographic Technique
• Introduction to Panoramic Imaging

Additional details will be posted as soon as information is available.