TEACH Lesson Plan
IANNUCCI AND HOWERTON: Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques, 5th Edition
Module 2 Part 1: Introduction to the
Radiology Clinic
ASSESSMENT 2-1
Inside the Radiology Cubicle
1. Are any items visible inside the radiology cubicle that may make a patient nervous? If so, what
steps would be necessary to manage an anxious patient before radiographic procedures?
2. A patient complains that the lead apron and thyroid collar are too heavy and uncomfortable. What
would be an appropriate response?
3. The teaching manikin is older and will not stay closed when locking its jaws. What would be an
appropriate solution?
4. An intraoral receptor is placed and the PID is aligned correctly. Upon exiting the cubicle to
depress the exposure button, the operator notices that the machine is not turned on. What is the
appropriate next step?
If the operator notices the machine is not turned on, it is recommended to return to the cubicle
5. What is the problem with a tubehead that drifts? What errors may result on the dental images?
ASSESSMENT 2-2
Outside the Radiology Cubicle
1. Demonstrate the differences between the exposure settings for anterior and posterior periapical
images, as well as bite-wing images.
Module 2: Part 1: Introduction to the Radiology Clinic 2
TEACH Lesson Plan
IANNUCCI AND HOWERTON: Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques, 5th Edition
2. In exposing a complete mouth series, you are interrupted in the middle of the procedure. You are
uncertain whether or not an exposure was made on a posterior periapical receptor because you
did not hear a “beep.” What is the correct course of action?
The correct course of action to take with a posterior periapical receptor that may or may not have
3. In exposing a complete mouth series, you accidentally drop an exposed receptor off the portable
work tray. What is the correct course of action?
If an exposed receptor is accidentally dropped on the floor outside the radiology cubicle during
the exposure of a complete mouth series, it is recommended to gently push the receptor out of
4. Your patient is scheduled for exposure of four bite-wing images. He is a member of the college
football team and is quite tall and muscular. Should you use the preset exposure settings on the
x-ray control panel? Why or why not?
ASSESSMENT 2-3
Image Retrieval Areas
1. List the four items that make-up an x-ray film packet. Now, closing your eyes, can you unwrap a
film packet and identify which component is the actual film?
2. In the darkroom, how far away from the work surface is the location of the safelight? Why?
The safelight should be a minimum of four feet away from the working surface inside the
3. If your institution uses intraoral digital imaging, identify the type(s): direct or indirect?
4. If your institution uses extraoral digital imaging, identify the type(s): direct or indirect?
5. What may be the result of films placed too close together into the automatic processor?
Films contacting each other during processing may have dark or white areas on the processed
6. How close in proximity are the switches for the darkroom overhead light and the safelight? Are
these switches easy to identify in a darkened room?