TEACH Lesson Plan
IANNUCCI AND HOWERTON: Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques, 5th Edition
33 Interpretation of Dental Caries
CHAPTER LESSON PLAN & OBJECTIVES
Lesson 33.1: Interpretation of Dental Caries
1. Define the key terms associated with the interpretation of dental caries.
2. Describe dental caries.
3. Do the following related to the detection of dental caries:
• Discuss the importance of dental caries in relation to the dental image examination.
4. Discuss interpretation tips for evaluating caries on a dental image.
5. Discuss the factors that may influence the image interpretation of dental caries.
6. Do the following related to classifying caries on dental images:
• Detail the classification of caries on dental images.
CHAPTER TEACHING FOCUS
• Students will have the opportunity to learn about dental caries and caries detection, as well as
interpretation tips for evaluating caries on a dental image.
Chapter 33: Interpretation of Dental Caries 2
TEACH Lesson Plan
CHAPTER PRETEST
Have the students answer these questions prior to covering this chapter to understand where they stand
in relation to the content.
1) What term refers to tooth decay?
a) Remineralization
b) Xerostomia c) Caries
d) Fluorosis
2) When checking for tooth decay, what instrument is used to reflect light and also allows for indirect
vision?
a) Mirror
b) Chisel c) Explorer
d) Spatula
3) What dental instrument is usually used to check for decay?
a) Pliers
b) Chisel c) Explorer
d) Spatula
4) Which term indicates an exposed root?
a) Rampant
b) Recession c) Recurrent
d) Cavitation
5) Which term refers to a smooth surface area that may exhibit a chalky white spot, or opacity?
a) Demineralization
b) Carbonization c) Remineralization
d) Cavitation
9) Where does pit-and-fissure decay first occur?
a) Smooth surfaces
b) Interproximally c) Occlusal surfaces
d) Root surfaces
10) Which term indicates multiple decayed areas throughout the mouth?
a) Rampant caries
b) Incipient caries c) Frank caries
d) Overt caries
Chapter 33: Interpretation of Dental Caries 3
TEACH Lesson Plan
IANNUCCI AND HOWERTON: Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques, 5th Edition
CHAPTER PRETEST ANSWERS
1) c
Dental caries, or tooth decay, is the localized destruction of teeth by microorganisms.
p. 403
6) c
Caries found between two teeth is termed interproximal caries.
p. 405
p. 409
Chapter 33: Interpretation of Dental Caries 4
TEACH Lesson Plan
IANNUCCI AND HOWERTON: Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques, 5th Edition
Classroom Preparation
Lesson 33.1: Interpretation of Dental Caries
INSTRUCTOR PREPARATION
Textbook Objectives Covered
1. Define the key terms associated with the interpretation of dental caries.
2. Describe dental caries.
3. Do the following related to the detection of dental caries:
• Explain why caries appears radiolucent on a dental image.
6. Do the following related to classifying caries on dental images:
• Detail the classification of caries on dental images.
• On a dental image, identify and describe the appearance of the following: incipient, moderate,
advanced, and severe interproximal caries.
National Standards Covered
ABHES DAI (Dental Assisting I – Basic)
• Section A: Curriculum, Competencies, Externship and/or Internal Clinical Experience:
• Dental Sciences:
• Radiography of the Oral Cavity. Courses in radiography are designed to integrate theoretical
ABHES DAII (Dental Assisting II – Advanced)
• Section A: Curriculum, Competencies, Externship and/or Internal Clinical Experience:
• Dental Sciences:
• Radiography of the Oral Cavity. Courses in radiography are designed to integrate theoretical
and practical application of exposing and processing intra– and extra-oral radiographs.
Chapter 33: Interpretation of Dental Caries 5
TEACH Lesson Plan
IANNUCCI AND HOWERTON: Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques, 5th Edition
National Standards Covered (Continued)
CODA Standards for Dental Assisting Programs
• Standard 2: Educational Program:
• The curriculum must include content at the in-depth level in dental radiology. Students must
CODA Standards for Dental Hygiene Programs
• Standard 2: Educational Program:
Lesson Preparation Checklist
• Prepare lecture from TEACH lecture slides available on Evolve.
Materials and Supplies
• computer
Chapter 33: Interpretation of Dental Caries 6
TEACH Lesson Plan
IANNUCCI AND HOWERTON: Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques, 5th Edition
Classroom Preparation
Lesson 33.1: Interpretation of Dental Caries
STUDENT PREPARATION (5 hrs)
1
ANSWER – Textbook
• Quiz Questions: Short Answer, question 13 (p. 412)
3
READ – Textbook (pp. 403-404)
ANSWER – Textbook
• Quiz Questions: Short Answer, question 14 (p. 412)
READ – Textbook (pp. 403-410)
CREATE
• Have the students create crossword puzzles using the definitions of the key terms as clues.
Bring to class for an activity.
5
READ – Textbook (p. 405)
ANSWER – Textbook
• Quiz Questions: Short Answer, question 20 (p. 412)
6
ANSWER – Workbook Module 7: Interpretation Basics
• Identification and Short Answer, questions 7, 8, 19 (pp. 287-289)
• Series Interpretation: Series 6 (pp. 310-312)
• Critical Thinking Questions 1, 2 (p. 314)
READ – Textbook (pp. 405-409)
ANSWER – Textbook
• Quiz Questions:
All
REVIEW – Evolve Student Resources
• Additional Case Scenarios
• Case Studies
• Review Questions – Self-Study Examination
Chapter 33: Interpretation of Dental Caries 7
TEACH Lesson Plan
IANNUCCI AND HOWERTON: Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques, 5th Edition
50-Minute Lesson Plan
Lesson 33.1: Interpretation of Dental Caries
LECTURE OUTLINE (30 min)
1
&
2
KEY TERMS AND DENTAL CARIES: SLIDES 6-8 (pp. 403-410)
• Discuss the key terms associated with the interpretation of dental caries.
• Describe dental caries.
INTERPRETATION TIPS: SLIDES 15–16 (p. 404)
5
INTERPRETATION FACTORS: SLIDE 17 (p. 405)
cervical burnout, restorative materials, attrition, and abrasion.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES (choose one or more to equal 20 min)
1
&
2
REVIEW (15 min each)
• Using the crossword puzzles that the students created as a homework assignment, have the
students exchange puzzles and solve them.
• Appropriate Settings: Traditional classroom, flipped classroom
• Using the report on mutans streptococci (MS) and lactobacilli that the students completed as a
Chapter 33: Interpretation of Dental Caries 8
TEACH Lesson Plan
IANNUCCI AND HOWERTON: Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques, 5th Edition
LEARNING ACTIVITIES (choose one or more to equal 20 min) (Continued)
4
5
the interpretation of caries on dental radiographs. Have each group share its list with the class
REVIEW (15 min)
• Divide the class into small groups, and have each group create a list of tips to follow when
interpreting caries on dental radiographs. Have each group share its list with the class for
further discussion.
6
REVIEW (15 min)
• Have students research and define the terms interproximal, occlusal, buccal, lingual, and root
surface. Lead a class discussion on what they find.
• Appropriate Settings: Traditional classroom, flipped classroom
ANALYZE (15 min each)
• Divide the class into small groups, and provide each group with several radiographs displaying
7
Continue until all conditions have been properly identified and discussed as necessary.
REVIEW (10 min)
• Call on a student to identify a condition that may be confused with dental caries on a dental
image. That student may then call on another student to identify an additional condition.
Chapter 33: Interpretation of Dental Caries 9
TEACH Lesson Plan
IANNUCCI AND HOWERTON: Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques, 5th Edition
CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS
1. A young pregnant woman wonders how she can make certain that her child never has caries.
The young woman has a mouth full of fillings and remembers all the pain and discomfort she had
as a child, as well as the missed schooldays and activities. She plans on bottle feeding her child.
What issues can the dental team discuss with her so she can plan ahead for feeding her child?
What can the dentist recommend to help her preserve her child’s teeth?
Discussion Guidelines: The dental team can inform the mother that after the child is born, the bacteria
2. An older female patient will soon be undergoing chemotherapy for her recently diagnosed
breast cancer. She already has areas of recession, and she experiences dry mouth because of
the medicine she takes for high blood pressure. She wonders what she should do to preserve her
dental health because her physician says her cancer therapy may cause vomiting. What issues
can the dental professional discuss with this patient regarding her risk of tooth decay? What
preventive interventions can be implemented to reduce the risk of dental decay?
Discussion Guidelines: Vomit contains acid that can increase the patient’s risk of dental caries by
Chapter 33: Interpretation of Dental Caries 10
TEACH Lesson Plan
IANNUCCI AND HOWERTON: Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques, 5th Edition
Assessments
Chapter 33: Interpretation of Dental Caries
ASSESSMENTS BY OBJECTIVE
2
Evolve Instructor Resources
• Test Bank: Multiple Choice, question 1
6
Evolve Instructor Resources
• Test Bank: Multiple Choice, questions 5–14
Workbook Module 7: Interpretation Basics
• Identification and Short Answer, questions 7, 8, 19 (pp. 287-289)
• Critical Thinking Questions 1, 2 (p. 314)