Dental Images & Dental Radiographer

Question 1

Why are dental images important?

Answer 1

provides information about teeth and supporting bone structures
-essential for diagnostic purposes
-reveals conditions that cannot be seen clinically

Question 2

List the uses of dental images

Answer 2

-detect diseases/lesions that cannot be identified by clinical exam alone
-confirm suspected disease
-assist in localization of lesion and foreign objects
-examine status of teeth and bone during growth/development
-provide essential info during routine dental treatment
-show changes secondary to trauma, caries, and periodontal disease

Question 3

List the common diseases/conditions found on dental images

Answer 3

-missing teeth (extracted or congenitally)
-extra teeth (supernumerary)
-impacted teeth
-dental caries
-periodontal disease
-tooth anomalies
-retained roots
-cysts and tumors

Question 4

Who is the dental radiographer

Answer 4

any person who positions, exposes, and processes dental x-ray image receptors (commonly the dental assistant or hygienist)

Question 5

What are the responsibilities/duties of the dental radiographer?

Answer 5

-position film, imagine plate, or sensor
-expose patient safely
-process film, scan IP, utilize computer images
-mounts and identifies images
-educates patient
-maintain darkroom and processing equipment
-implements and monitors quality assurance

Question 6

List the professional goals of the dental radiographer

Answer 6

-patient education
-patient safety
-operator competence
-operator protection
-operator efficiency and quality care