Dental Imaging Safety and Preventive Maintenance
DEN 115 introduces students to the critical aspects of dental imaging equipment, focusing on safety protocols and preventive maintenance. The curriculum explores the physics of radiation as it applies to intraoral and panoramic X-ray units, emphasizing ALARA principles, regulatory compliance, and proper shielding. Students will learn about the functionality and service requirements of digital sensors, phosphor plate systems, and imaging workstations, including common software and networking considerations. Practical sessions will cover system inspections, calibration procedures, quality assurance testing, and effective troubleshooting techniques. The course also stresses the importance of thorough documentation for maintenance activities, regulatory reporting, and equipment lifecycle management, preparing students for competent and compliant service roles in dental practices.
InstructorJacob CalhounCourse outline
Lectures, virtual labs, and graded assignments — completed in your browser.
Syllabus
["Week 1: Introduction to Dental Imaging and Radiation Physics Basics","Week 2: X-ray Unit Components and Function: Intraoral Systems","Week 3: Radiation Protection Principles and Regulatory Compliance (ALARA)","Week 4: Hands-On Lab: Intraoral X-ray Unit Inspection and Basic Calibration","Week 5: X-ray Unit Components and Function: Panoramic Systems","Week 6: Digital Imaging Sensors and Phosphor Plate Systems: Principles and Care","Week 7: Imaging Workstations, Software, and Networking Fundamentals","Week 8: Hands-On Lab & Midterm Review: Panoramic X-ray Inspection & Sensor Testing","Week 9: Preventive Maintenance Procedures for X-ray Units: Electrical & Mechanical","Week 10: Quality Assurance and Image Calibration Techniques","Week 11: Hands-On Lab: Imaging Workstation Setup and QA Testing","Week 12: Troubleshooting Common Imaging System Faults","Week 13: Documentation and Record-Keeping for Service and Compliance","Week 14: Capstone Service Project: Comprehensive Dental Imaging System Maintenance"]