A. Critical Thinking:  Analyze problems by differentiating fact from opinions, using evidence, and using sound reasoning to specify multiple solutions and their consequences.

Assessment:  The students will demonstrate their ability to produce radiographs of acceptable diagnostic quality. The student will be able to choose the most appropriate 
method for intraoral radiography, but will be flexible enough to modify the procedure as the situation requires. These radiographs will be critically evaluated by faculty for 
diagnostic accuracy.

B. Communication:  Effectively communicate thought in a clear, well-organized manner to persuade, inform, and convey ideas in academic, work, family and community settings.

Assessment: The students will relate in a professional and competent manner with patients, instructors, and peers. These skills will be evaluated by instructors

C. Technical Competence: Utilize the appropriate technology effectively for informational, academic, personal, and professional needs.

Assessment: The students will identify and select the appropriate radiographic surveys,  film types, duplicating and record keeping. The technical performance will be evaluated by instructors.

D. Ethics:  Practice and demonstrate standards of personal and professional integrity, honesty and fairness; apply ethical principles in submission of all college work.

Assessment: The students will practice radiation safety policies and procedures for the operator and the patient which will be practiced and monitored by instructors.

Professionalism

Program competency #1: Adhere to the American Dental Hygienist’s Associations’ code of ethical conduct and apply this code to established state and federal laws, recommendations, and regulations in the provision of dental hygiene care.
Program competency#2: Perform self-assessment for life long learning to provide evidenced-based practice of dental hygiene.
III.  Patient Care
Program competency #8: Systematically collect, analyze and record assessment data on the general, oral, periodontal, and psychosocial health status of the child, adolescent, adult, geriatric and special populations using methods consistent with medicolegal principles.
Program Competency #9: Integrate the principles of behavioral, dental, dental hygiene sciences to assess, formulate, implement and evaluate a comprehensive dental hygiene treatment plan for the patient to attain and maintain optimal oral health based on accurate, consistent and complete assessment data and modify treatment as necessary.
Program competency #10: Provide and evaluate dental hygiene services, including preventive procedures ad pain control, that are based on current scientific evidence for periodontal class I, II, III, IV, V for the child, adolescent, adult, geriatric medically compromised patients from diverse populations.

As a result of the lectures, discussion and assigned readings the student on a written exam will be able to:

1. Describe the basic principles and concepts of radiation in general and x-radiation in particular
 
2. List the component parts and workings of the dental x-ray machine and the production of x-rays
 
3. Explain factors affecting the quality of the x-ray beam and the radiographic image
 
4. Describe the effects of ionizing radiation on living tissues
 
5. Describe radiation bioeffects, health and safety

6. List radiation protection procedures for the operator and the patient
 
7. Identify selection of appropriate radiographic surveys, film types, duplicating and record keeping

8. Describe intraoral techniques for bitewings, occlusal films and periapicals including currently accepted methods, but emphasizing the paralleling technique for periapicals
 
9. Describe supplementary techniques and patient management including endodontic, localization, edentulous, pedodontic and techniques for difficult anatomy and patients with disabling conditions
 
10. Explain technique of proper film processing, handling and record keeping
 
11. State quality assurance procedures
 
12. Describe viewing techniques and principles of interpretation
 
13. List alternate imaging modalities
 
14. Describe the appearances of normal radiographic landmarks, artifacts and shadows
 
15. Describe developmental abnormalities and basic disease processes of teeth and supporting structures
 
16. Discuss legal issues related to dental radiography
 
17. Display the ability to assess errors in radiographic processing and indicate methods of correcting them.
 
18. Explain alterations required in obtaining diagnostic quality radiographs when the patients physical characteristics impose placement restrictions.
 
19. Integrate the bioeffects of ionizing radiation and contraindication for treatment in determining the amount of radiation a patient is to receive.
 
20. Evaluate the criteria for patient/operator radiation safety and select procedures which will provide maximum protection.
 
21. Consistently maintain accurate permanent records in the taking of radiographs in all laboratory exercises.

Students will be evaluated on effort shown to complete weekly assignments and the accuracy of their vocabulary/concept flash cards

Students will be evaluated with 2 multiple- choice exams, midterm and final

Students will be evaluated on their 5-10 minute presentation.

  GRADING
 
 Weekly Assignments   30% or 300 points

 Midterm   20% or 200 points

 Final    40% or 400 points

 5-10 min. presentation  5% or 50 points

 Attendance   5% or 50 points

 Attendance is required; Absences will result in a deduction of points

 Assignments completed late will result in a deduction of points

 Final Course Grade

 Will be based on the following scale:

 90 - 100% = A
 80 -   89% = B
 70 -   79% = C
 60 –  69% = F

Below 70% is a non-passing grade and constitutes failing in this course. A minimum grade of C is required to be retained in the Dental Hygiene Program.

Getting caught cheating on a test or copying someone else's material for homework will result in a grade of F, a critical error and even expulsion from school. If you don't get caught, there is still the problem that you haven't learned the material. That ignorance may come to haunt you down the road, when you are required to apply what you've learned.
In either case, there is also the moral stigma that you subconsciously hold inside of you that you didn't deserve the grade you got and that you are a cheater. Such a person may go far in life, but he or she will never be a champion.