TEACH Lesson Plan
IANNUCCI AND HOWERTON: Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques, 5th Edition
5 Radiation Protection
CHAPTER LESSON PLAN & OBJECTIVES
Lesson 5.1: Radiation Protection
1. Define the key terms associated with radiation protection.
2. Describe in detail the basics of patient protection before x-ray exposure.
3. Discuss the different types of filtration, and state the recommended total filtration for dental x-ray
machines operating above and below 70 kV.
CHAPTER TEACHING FOCUS
• Students will have the opportunity to learn about patient protection before, during, and after exposure to
x-rays.
Chapter 5: Radiation Protection 2
TEACH Lesson Plan
IANNUCCI AND HOWERTON: Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques, 5th Edition
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 is the name given to the protective flexible lead shield that is placed over the neck region during
x-ray exposure?
a) Blanket
b) Thyroid collar c) Neck tie
d) Patient napkin
2) What is the purpose of aluminum filtration in the x-ray tubehead?
a) To remove the low-energy, long-
wavelength x-rays
b) To remove the high-energy, long-
wavelength x-rays
c) To remove the low-energy, most
penetrating x-rays
d) To remove the low-energy, short–
wavelength x-rays
3) What is the maximum permissible dose (MPD) of whole-body radiation for persons occupationally
exposed to radiation?
a) 500 mrem or 5 mSv per month
b) 500 mrem or 5 mSv per year c) 5 rem per year
d) 100 mrem per year
4) What is used to direct the x-ray beam?
a) Tubehead
b) Cathode c) Control panel
d) PID
5) What is used to restrict the size and shape of the x-ray beam?
a) PID
b) Collimator c) Control panel
d) Anode
6) What concept states that all exposure to radiation must be kept to a minimum?
a) Maximum accumulated dose
b) Maximum permissible dose c) ALARA
d) Lifetime dose
7) What does ALARA stand for?
a) As low as reasonably achievable
b) As long as reasonably achievable c) All length reaches across
d) As low as reaches around
10) What helps in stabilizing the receptor position in the mouth and reduces the chances of movement?
a) Collimator
b) Beam alignment device c) PID
d) fast-speed film
Chapter 5: Radiation Protection 3
TEACH Lesson Plan
IANNUCCI AND HOWERTON: Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques, 5th Edition
CHAPTER PRETEST ANSWERS
1) b
The thyroid collar is a flexible lead shield that is placed securely around the patient’s neck to protect
the thyroid gland from scatter radiation.
p. 47
6) c
The ALARA (“as low as reasonably achievable”) concept states that all exposure to radiation must be
kept to a minimum.
p. 50
Chapter 5: Radiation Protection 4
TEACH Lesson Plan
IANNUCCI AND HOWERTON: Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques, 5th Edition
Classroom Preparation
Lesson 5.1: Radiation Protection
INSTRUCTOR PREPARATION
Textbook Objectives Covered
1. Define the key terms associated with radiation protection.
2. Describe in detail the basics of patient protection before x-ray exposure.
3. Discuss the different types of filtration, and state the recommended total filtration for dental x-ray
machines operating above and below 70 kV.
4. Describe the collimator used in dental x-ray machines and state the recommended diameter of the
National Standards Covered
ABHES DAI (Dental Assisting I – Basic)
• Section A: Curriculum, Competencies, Externship and/or Internal Clinical Experience:
• Clinical Sciences: Comprehend and practice principles and procedures for patient safety (1.g)
• Dental Sciences:
• Radiography of the Oral Cavity. Courses in radiography are designed to integrate theoretical
• Pathology of the Oral Cavity: Environmental/Occupational Hazards (17.f.3)
ABHES DAII (Dental Assisting II – Advanced)
• Section A: Curriculum, Competencies, Externship and/or Internal Clinical Experience:
• Clinical Sciences: Comprehend and practice principles and procedures for patient safety (3.f)
• Dental Sciences:
• Courses in radiography are designed to integrate theoretical and practical application of
Chapter 5: Radiation Protection 5
TEACH Lesson Plan
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 5: Radiation Protection 6
TEACH Lesson Plan
Classroom Preparation
Lesson 5.1: Radiation Protection
STUDENT PREPARATION (7 hrs)
1
• Multiple Choice, questions 6, 7, 12 (pp. 51-52)
READ – Textbook (pp. 42–50)
ANSWER – Workbook Module 1: Radiation Basics
• Basic Terminology Crossword Puzzle, questions 1-8 (p. 25)
PREPARE
• Have each student create index cards for all key terms. These should have a key term on one
side and the definition and a sentence using the key term correctly on the other. Bring cards to
4
READ – Textbook (pp. 43, 46)
ANSWER – Textbook
• Quiz Questions: Multiple Choice, questions 10, 11, 13 (p. 52)
5
READ – Textbook (pp. 44–48)
ANSWER – Textbook
• Quiz Questions:
• True or False, questions 2-4 (p. 51)
• Multiple Choice, questions 8, 9 (pp. 51-52)
6
• Quiz Question: True or False, question 5 (p. 51)
READ – Textbook (p. 48)
ANSWER – Textbook
Chapter 5: Radiation Protection 7
TEACH Lesson Plan
IANNUCCI AND HOWERTON: Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques, 5th Edition
STUDENT PREPARATION (7 hrs) (Continued)
10
READ – Textbook (pp. 50-51)
APPLY – Workbook Module 1: Radiation Basics
• Critical Thinking Questions, questions 2, 4, 6-8 (pp. 29-30)
REVIEW – Laboratory Manual
Chapter 5: Radiation Protection 8
TEACH Lesson Plan
IANNUCCI AND HOWERTON: Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques, 5th Edition
50-Minute Lesson Plan
Lesson 5.1: Radiation Protection
LECTURE OUTLINE (30 min)
1
&
2
PATIENT PROTECTION FROM X-RAY EXPOSURE: SLIDES 5-8 (p. 42)
• Define the key terms associated with radiation protection.
• Describe in detail the basics of patient protection before x–ray exposure.
3
FILTRATION: SLIDES 9-12 (pp. 42–43)
• Discuss the different types of filtration, and state the recommended total filtration for dental x–
5
PATIENT PROTECTION FROM RADIATION: SLIDES 15–21 (pp. 44–48)
• Describe six ways to protect the patient from excessive radiation during x-ray exposure.
6
RECEPTOR HANDLING: SLIDE 22 (p. 48)
• Describe the importance of receptor handling and processing after patient exposure to x–
radiation.
useful beam.
8
MONITORING DEVICES: SLIDE 28 (p. 49)
permissible dose (MPD), and the ALARA concept.
PROTECTION STEPS: SLIDE 34 (pp. 50-51)
• Discuss with the dental patient radiation protection steps used before, during, and after
exposure to x-radiation.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES (choose one or more to equal 20 min)
1
REVIEW (20 min)
• Using the key terms index cards that the students prepared as a homework assignment,
pronounce a key term for the class and have students share their cards for that term with each
other so they can compare their sentences. Repeat the drill until all key terms have been
thoroughly reviewed.
• Appropriate Settings: Traditional classroom, flipped classroom
3
REVIEW (15 min)
• Divide the class into small groups, and have each group draw a diagram that explains how
aluminum disks help filter out the low-energy, long-wavelength x-rays. Students can use
Figure 5-2 as a reference. Have the students draw their diagrams on the board and present
Chapter 5: Radiation Protection 9
TEACH Lesson Plan
IANNUCCI AND HOWERTON: Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques, 5th Edition
LEARNING ACTIVITIES (choose one or more to equal 20 min) (Continued)
5
groups present their checklists to the class, and incorporate all the ideas into one master
checklist on the board.
• Appropriate Settings: Traditional classroom, flipped classroom
POST & COMMENT (10 min)
• Post the Critical Thinking Question for this lesson on the Evolve discussion board. Students
should post their answers and conduct an online discussion in comments. Each student should
offer critical feedback to at least two other students.
• Appropriate Setting: Online
6
• Divide the class into small groups, and have each group discuss the ways in which dental
personnel are protected from excessive radiation exposure. Have each group present their
• Appropriate Settings: Traditional classroom, flipped classroom
personnel are protected from excessive radiation exposure. Have each group present their
findings to the class for further discussion.
REVIEW (15 min)
• Divide the class into small groups, and have each group list some of the errors that can occur
from improper film handling and processing. Have each group share their findings with the
class.
9
ROLE PLAY (20 min)
• Have pairs of students take turns role playing an operator performing all of the steps involved
in taking dental radiographs on a patient. Have the operator (1) describe what he or she is
doing and why, and (2) identify which actions are needed to keep radiation ALARA.
• Appropriate Settings: Traditional classroom, flipped classroom
groups take turns asking one another their questions. Be sure the students are acting as if
they were patients asking the radiographer.
Chapter 5: Radiation Protection 10
TEACH Lesson Plan
IANNUCCI AND HOWERTON: Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques, 5th Edition
CRITICAL THINKING QUESTION
You are assisting the dentist with a new patient, a 35-year-old woman. She has a large swelling
associated with a lower right molar, is running a fever, and has not been able to sleep or eat for
the past two days because of the pain associated with her tooth. After an initial clinical exam, the
dentist orders a radiograph of the area. Once the dentist leaves the room, the patient becomes
reluctant about having the radiograph taken because of the exposure to radiation. What
information can you provide her so that she better understands and appreciates the importance of
radiographs? Discuss with your patient the protection steps that will be used before, during, and
after x-ray exposure.
Discussion Guidelines: Patients often have questions and concerns about radiation exposure. The
dental radiographer must be prepared to answer such questions and to educate the dental patient about
Chapter 5: Radiation Protection 11
TEACH Lesson Plan
IANNUCCI AND HOWERTON: Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques, 5th Edition
Assessments
Chapter 5: Radiation Protection
ASSESSMENTS BY OBJECTIVE
1
Workbook Module 1: Radiation Basics
• Basic Terminology Crossword Puzzle, questions 1-8 (p. 25)
2
• Test Bank: Multiple Choice, question 1
3
Evolve Instructor Resources
4
Evolve Instructor Resources
• Test Bank: Multiple Choice, questions 6-8
6
Evolve Instructor Resources
• Test Bank: Multiple Choice, question 15
Evolve Instructor Resources
7
Evolve Instructor Resources
• Test Bank: Multiple Choice, questions 16, 17
Workbook Module 1: Radiation Basics
• Identification, Labeling, and Short Answer: Patient and Operator Protection, questions 1–7
(pp. 26-27)
8
Evolve Instructor Resources
• Test Bank: Multiple Choice, questions 18, 19
• Identification, Labeling, and Short Answer: Radiation Exposure Guidelines, questions 1-7
(p. 27)
Workbook Module 1: Radiation Basics
• Critical Thinking Questions, questions 2, 4, 6-8 (pp. 29-30)
Laboratory Manual
• Module 1: Use of Ionizing Radiation (pp. 319-325)