Radiation Health and Safety(ev) Flashcards
Which film is frequently used to evaluate apical lesions?
Periapical
‘‘The periapical radiograph is the film of choice to evaluate apical lesions because it reveals the entire tooth, including the crown, root, and apical region.
Cassettes with intensifying screens are used in extraoral radiography to
decrease patient exposure
‘‘Intensifying screens intensify or increase the effect of radiation, and thus decrease the amount of exposure time needed.
To ____________ is to convert an image into digital form for processing by a computer.
digitize
‘‘To digitize, in dental digital radiography, is to convert an image into a digital form that in turn can be processed by a computer.
Radiographs taken at a higher kilovoltage peak will have ______ compared to radiographs taken at a lower kilovoltage peak
long-scale contrast
‘‘Radiographs taken at a higher kilovoltage peak will have long-scale contrast versus radiographs taken at a lower kilovoltage peak.
The collimator
restricts the size and shape of the x-ray beam.
‘’ The collimator is a diaphragm, usually lead, used to restrict the size and shape of the x-ray beam.
Intraoral digital sensors
cannot withstand heat sterilization.
‘’ Intraoral digital sensors come into contact with mucous membranes but cannot withstand heat sterilization or immersion in a high-level disinfectant. The CDC recommends using an FDA-approved plastic barrier that covers the sensor and part of the attached cable.
After an exposed receptor is removed from the patient’s mouth,
wipe saliva off the receptor with a dry 2×2-inch gauze square
‘‘Upon removing an exposed receptor from the patient’s mouth, dry the receptor with a 2×2-inch gauze square or paper towel.
Which will produce a dark film?
A thin, petite, or small-bodied patient.
‘‘A low milliampere setting, shortened processing time, and lengthened source-film distance will produce light or less dense film.
The _____________ allows for the positioning of the tubehead
extension arm
‘‘The extension arm of the x-ray machine is the component that suspends the x-ray tubehead and houses the electrical wires that extend from the control panel to the tubehead; its mobile arm helps in positioning the tubehead.
The x-radiation monitoring film badge.
identifies occupational exposure to radiation.
‘‘The amount of x-radiation that reaches the body of the dental radiographer can be measured through the use of a personnel-monitoring device known as a film badge. The radiographer wears it for a specified time and then the badge is returned to the service company, which in turn provides to the dental office an exposure report for each radiographer.
Carious lesions appear ______________ on processed radiographs
radiolucent
‘’ As demineralization and destruction of the hard tooth structures take place, the tooth density in the area of the lesion allows greater penetration of x-rays in the carious lesion so that the lesion appears radiolucent or dark/black.
Fractures of the mandible will appear
as a radiolucent line.
‘’ On a dental radiograph, a mandibular fracture appears as a radiolucent line at the site where the bone has separated.
If a lead apron is folded after being used, it will __________ and __________.
crack; become ineffective
‘’: Lead aprons and thyroid collars must not be folded when stored. Folding eventually cracks the lead and allows radiation leakage.
Which carious lesion is almost never seen on a radiograph?
Lingual
‘’ It is not possible to easily distinguish lingual caries on a dental radiograph. This type of lesion is normally observed during the oral examination.
PSPs should never be placed in a
laboratory coat pocket
‘’ Never place PSPs or film in a laboratory coat pocket or uniform pocket
The dental patient is least likely to encounter which type of radiation?
Tertiary
‘‘Tertiary radiation is caused by secondary radiation and is least likely to apply to patient exposure.
The patient’s dental radiographs are the legal property of the
dentist.
‘‘The dentist legally owns the patient’s dental records, including radiographs; patients may request a copy of their radiographs from the dentist.
The first step in preparing a radiography operatory is to
identify surfaces to be disinfected or protected with barriers.
‘‘The first step in preparing an operatory is identifying which surfaces need to be disinfected and/or protected with barriers. Gathering necessary supplies
A fogged film appears
gray and lacks detail and contrast.
‘’ A fogged film appears gray and lacks image detail and contrast. This condition can result from improper safe lighting and light leaks in a darkroom, improper film storage, outdated films, or even contaminated processing solutions
Which patient protection technique is implemented first?
Proper prescribing of radiographs.
‘‘Proper prescribing of radiographs is the first patient protection technique, because it limits the patient’s exposure to radiation. The professional judgment of the dentist is used to determine the number, type, and frequency of dental radiographs.
Intensifying screens should be checked periodically for
scratches.
‘‘Intensifying screens should be checked for scratches and cleaned monthly; screens that have visible scratches should be replaced. Cassettes should be periodically checked for warping, worn closures, and light leaks
Which maintains aseptic technique when removing the patient’s lead apron?
Don overgloves to remove the lead apron.
‘’ To maintain aseptic technique when removing the lead apron, wear overgloves or remove the lead apron with bare hands.
When using a daylight loader, remove gloves by
turning them inside out.
‘‘After the last film packet is opened, remove contaminated gloves in the daylight loader by turning them inside out. This prevents film and developing solution contamination and keeps hands clean during glove disposal.
Which is NOT found on a film mount?
Date of processing
‘‘The date of processing is irrelevant data. Commonly, films are processed on the day of exposure, but this may be modified. The important date is the date of exposure
Used radiographic fixer is classified a
hazardous.
‘‘Due to its high silver content, used radiographic fixer is classified as hazardous waste; treatment to remove the toxic silver is required before disposal.
Dental x-rays are which type of radiation?
Electromagnetic
‘’ X-rays are classified as electromagnetic radiation, along with visible light, radar, radio, and television waves.
Light leaks in a darkroom will cause
fogging of the film.
‘’ Fogged films result from improper safe lighting and light leaks in the darkroom as well as improper film storage, outdated films, contaminated processing solutions, and high developer temperature.
The acronym for the permitted lifetime accumulated dose is
MAD, maximum accumulated dose.
‘‘The maximum accumulated dose (MAD) is the maximum radiation dose that may be received by persons who are occupationally exposed to radiation.
Which entity makes infection control recommendations for dental radiology?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
‘‘The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings to address concerns regarding cross-contamination in dental radiology
Hands placed through the sleeves of the daylight loader are
overgloved
‘‘For infection control, only clean dry hands are placed through the sleeves of the daylight loader; gloves are donned inside the daylight loader. Clean hands prevent sleeve contamination.
Radiation leakage is emitted if the x-ray tubehead has
a faulty seal
‘‘Leakage radiation is emitted if the tubehead has a faulty seal. Anode pitting and high x-ray tube currents produce tubehead failure. Loose bolts at the yolk cause tubehead drift.
Exposed films are placed in a paper cup labeled with the
patient’s name.
‘‘Contaminated and exposed films are placed in a paper cup labeled with the patient’s name, for transport to the darkroom
Commercially available barrier envelopes
minimize contamination after exposure of the film.
‘’ Barrier envelopes that fit over intraoral films can be used to protect the film packets from saliva and minimize contamination after exposure of the film.
Gloves are NOT worn in which step
Load the PSP plates into the scanning devices
‘‘PSP plates can be safely handled and loaded into the scanning device with clean bare hands, after the plastic barrier envelopes have been removed. Gloves are worn to remove operatory barriers, open barrier envelopes, and place contaminated PSPs in a paper cup.
The coin test helps identify
the effectiveness of the safelight.
‘‘The coin test is used to test the effectiveness of the safelight. A coin is placed on top of an unwrapped, unexposed film in the darkroom for 3 to 4 minutes; if no image is visible on the processed film, the safelight is functioning correctly.
Dental x-ray equipment is tested for quality control at which interval?
Annually
‘’ The American Academy of Dental Radiology recommends a number of annual tests for dental x-ray machines, to identify minor malfunctions and maintain quality control
Root fractures occur most often in the
maxillary central incisors
‘’ Root fractures are more common in maxillary central incisors than in mandibular central incisors or molars.
The quantity of x-rays produced is controlled by
milliamperage.
‘’: Milliamperage controls the penetrating power of the x-ray beam by controlling the number of electrons produced in the x-ray tube and the number of x-rays produced. Higher milliampere settings produce a beam with more energy, increasing the intensity of the x-ray beam.
With F-speed film, a single intraoral film results in a surface skin exposure of
100 mR
‘‘With the development of F-speed film, the surface exposure, or the measure of the intensity of radiation on a patient’s skin surface, has decreased significantly
When the voltage is increased
electrons move from the cathode to the anode with more speed.
‘‘When voltage is increased, the electrons move from the cathode to the anode with more speed and the electrons strike the target with greater force and energy, resulting in a penetrating x-ray beam with a short wavelength.
