Essentials of Dental Radiography for Dental Assistants and Hygienists (10e)

For courses in oral radiography as part of programs for dental assistants and hygienists.

Comprehensive coverage of the theoretical principles and practical skills needed to perform radiographic exams competently and safely

This clear, up-to-date, student-friendly text tightly links oral radiology principles with modern practice. It presents all of the necessary information for introductory courses in dental radiography, prepares students for board and licensing examinations, and offers real-world resources for clinical practice and patient management. The book’s nine sections take readers from radiation basics and the fundamentals of dental radiographic techniques, to management of special needs and an introduction to alternate imaging modalities. The 10th Edition of Essentials of Dental Radiography for Dental Assistants and Hygienists retains core fundamentals presented in earlier editions that focus on an in-depth study of key principles, while expanding and incorporating new concepts that reflect the body of knowledge and evidence-based practice advances that influence the prescription, delivery, and evaluation of radiographic examinations.

• PART I: RADIATION BASICS
• 1. Dental Radiography: Historical Perspective and Future Trends
• 2. Characteristics and Measurement of Radiation
• 3. The Dental X-ray Machine: Components and Function
• 4. Factors Affecting Radiographic Quality
• PART II: RADIATION BIOLOGY AND II RADIATION SAFETY
• 5. Effects of Radiation Exposure
• 6. Radiation Protection
• PART III: DENTAL X-RAY IMAGE RECEPTORS AND IMAGE PRODUCTION
• 7. Dental X-ray Film and Processing Methods
• 8. Digital Radiography and Image Acquisition
• PART IV: DENTAL RADIOGRAPHER FUNDAMENTALS
• 9. Infection Control
• 10. Legal and Ethical Responsibilities  
• 11. Patient Relations and Education  
• PART V: DENTAL RADIOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUES
• 12. Introduction to Radiographic Examinations
• 13. The Periapical Examination—Paralleling (Technique
• 14. The Periapical Examination—Bisecting Technique
• 15. The Bitewing Examination
• 16. The Occlusal Examination
• 17. The Panoramic Examination
• PART VI: RADIOGRAPHIC ERRORS AND QUALITY ASSURANCE
• 18. Identifying and Correcting Undiagnostic Radiographs
• 19. Quality Control and Environmental Safety in Dental Radiography
• PART VII: VIEWING AND INTERPRETING DENTAL RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGES
• 20. Image Orientation and Introduction to Interpretation
• 21. Recognizing Normal Radiographic Anatomy— Intraoral Radiographs
• 22. Recognizing Normal Radiographic Anatomy— Panoramic Radiographs
• 23. Radiographic Appearance of Dental Materials and Foreign Objects
• 24. The Use of Radiographs in the Detection of Dental Caries
• 25. The Use of Radiographs in the Evaluation of Periodontal Diseases
• 26. Describing Radiographic Anomalies, Lesions, and Opportunistic Screening
• PART VIII: RADIOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUES FOR SPECIFIC NEEDS
• 27. Pediatric Radiographic Techniques
• 28. Radiographic Techniques for Patients with Special Needs
• 29. Radiographic Techniques for Specific Oral Conditions
  

• Prepares students for film-based imaging, the established standard of care still required by licensing exams, and for the growing use of digital imaging in practice.

• Digital imaging is integrated throughout.

• An enhanced Chapter 8 on digital imaging provides an in-depth explanation of digital image acquisition technology.

• A complete and thorough revision and reorganization of topic presentation includes:

• Consolidation of previous edition chapters on dental x-ray film and film processing to streamline the presentation of essential knowledge

• Expansion of Chapter 10 on legal and ethical responsibilities to keep pace with the increasing adoption of electronic patient records

• Revision and change in the order of presentation of Chapter 17 on panoramic imaging to acknowledge the importance of the essential, rather than supplemental, role in oral and maxillofacial imaging

• Repurposed chapters from the previous edition on interpretation to more clearly present the radiographic appearance of dental materials and foreign objects

• Consolidation of previous edition chapters on quality control and environmental safety to help establish a link between the attainment of quality for both image production and for the ecological impact associated with image production

• Reorganization of the section in Chapter 29 on radiographic techniques for specific needs to arrange a plethora of technique modifications into a cohesive, orderly presentation that enhances clarity

• A new chapter on three-dimensional imaging to introduce readers to cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) (Chapter 31)

• Helps students explore theory in action–Each student-centered chapter includes features to help students ensure understanding and see how the concepts apply to the real world.

  • Chapter outlines provide a ready reference to the topics presented.

  • Lists of key terms focus on ideas defined in the text.

  • Introductions provide realistic rationales to pique interest for learning the material.

  • Learning objectives tested by study questions allow students to assess learning outcomes.

  • Procedure Boxes highlight and simplify critical steps of complex techniques—and serve as a handy reference in laboratory and clinical settings.

  • Practice Points call student attention to possible use of theory in real-life situations, and provide a “mental break” by illustrating how that theory is applied.

  • Case studies relate directly to radiological applications presented in the chapter and challenge students to apply knowledge gained from the reading to real-life situations through decision-making activities.

  • Suggested Activities, including potential lab exercises, out-of-class research projects, essay assignments, and Internet-based investigations, provide practice for students and help instructors develop creative assignments to accelerate learning.

• Includes separate chapters on paralleling and bisecting techniques providing instructors more flexibility in organising their courses, and reflecting experience that these concepts are often best taught separately

• Responds to students’, patients’, and physicians’ increased recognition of the ecological impact of oral health practice with a separate chapter on safety and environmental responsibilities–including the safe handling and environmentally sound disposal of potentially hazardous materials and chemicals used in radiography

• Presents concise coverage of extraoral radiography and alternate imaging modalities–with a “key points” table illuminating seven common techniques, and an introduction to cone beam volumetric imaging (CBVI) for periodontal implant assessment

• NEW! Prepares students for film-based imaging, the established standard of care still required by licensing exams, and for the growing use of digital imaging in practice

  • NEW! Digital imaging is integrated throughout.

  • NEW! An enhanced Chapter 8 on digital imaging provides an in-depth explanation of digital image acquisition technology.

• NEW! A complete and thorough revision and reorganisation of topic presentation includes:

  • NEW! Consolidation of previous edition chapters on dental x-ray film and film processing to streamline the presentation of essential knowledge

  • NEW! Expansion of Chapter 10 on legal and ethical responsibilities to keep pace with the increasing adoption of electronic patient records

  • NEW! Revision and change in the order of presentation of Chapter 17 on panoramic imaging to acknowledge the importance of the essential, rather than supplemental, role in oral and maxillofacial imaging

  • NEW! Repurposed chapters from the previous edition on interpretation to more clearly present the radiographic appearance of dental materials and foreign objects

  • NEW! Consolidation of previous edition chapters on quality control and environmental safety to help establish a link between the attainment of quality for both image production and for the ecological impact associated with image production

  • NEW! Reorganisation of the section in Chapter 29 on radiographic techniques for specific needs to arrange a plethora of technique modifications into a cohesive, orderly presentation that enhances clarity

  • NEW! A new chapter on three-dimensional imaging to introduce readers to cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) (Chapter 31)

Evelyn M. Thomson, BSDH, MS, served 20 years as educator at Old Dominion University's Gene W. Hirschfeld School of Dental Hygiene in Norfolk, Virginia, receiving awards for Faculty Excellence; Continuing Education Teaching & Leadership; Outstanding Author; and Distinguished Alumni. In addition to teaching in the undergraduate dental hygiene program and mentoring graduate students in the master’s degree program, Thomson developed and taught numerous continuing professional education courses; served as a consultant to the Virginia Board of Dentistry; and conducted seminars for the American Dental Hygienists’ Association. Thomson’s expertise has been validated by membership in the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, and with an appointment on the National Board Dental Hygiene II Test Construction Committee by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations.

 

Thomson is author and co-author of three textbooks: Exercises in Oral Radiographic Techniques: A Laboratory Manual; Case Studies in Dental Hygiene; Essentials of Dental Radiography for Dental Assistants and Hygienists, and has published numerous manuscripts in peer-reviewed dental hygiene journals. Evie lives at the Virginia Beach oceanfront with her husband Hu Odom.