Radiation Health and Safety Practice Vocabulary

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering dental radiography types, safety procedures, equipment, processing, and anatomical landmarks based on the provided practice test.

Periapical x-ray

A type of radiograph that shows the whole tooth, including the crown, roots, and jawline.

Bitewing radiograph

A radiograph used for diagnosing tooth decay, periodontal bone loss, and gum disease.

Full-mouth survey

A dental imaging series that generally includes $14$ periapical views and $4-6$ bitewings.

Panoramic radiograph

The best type of radiograph for obtaining a diagnosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

Cephalometric x-ray

A type of radiograph used by an orthodontist to assist with treatment planning.

Lead apron

A protective device that should cover the patient from the neck to just above the knees.

Dental film storage

Dental film should be stored in a cool, dry closet.

Occupational exposure documentation

The process of recording incidents including the source individual, employee, route of exposure, and the circumstances of the event.

Alcohol-based hand gel

A hand sanitizer that should have a concentration of $60\%-95\%$ alcohol and should not be used on hands that are visibly dirty.

Dosimeter

A device used to monitor employees for radiation exposure; it should be worn only when at the dental office.

F-speed film

The fastest intraoral x-ray film speed that reduces the amount of radiation exposure to the patient.

Kilovoltage peak selector

The control on an x-ray machine used to adjust the degree of penetration of the x-ray beam.

Reversed smile line

An appearance on a panoramic image likely caused by the position of the patient's chin being too high.

Thyroid collar radiopaque image

A cone-shaped radiopaque image on a panoramic x-ray caused by the use of a thyroid collar during imaging.

Photostimulable storage phosphor (PSP) plates

Digital radiography sensors that do not offer immediate access to the digital image.

Outdated dental film

Dental film that has passed its expiration date and may cause the x-ray to have a foggy or gray appearance.

Developer solution temperature

During manual processing at a temperature of $65^{\circ}F$, the film should remain in the developer for $5$ minutes.

Hydroquinone

A chemical used in the developing agent to convert silver halide crystals to black.

Static electricity

A cause of black lines on a dental x-ray that resemble tree branches.

Hospital-grade disinfectant solution

The solution required to disinfect contaminated areas in the radiography area.

Amalgam

A dental product containing mercury.

Infectious waste

The classification for the disposal of an extracted tooth.

Developer disposal

An x-ray processing chemical that can be disposed of in the regular trash or down the drain.

Mounting sequence

The preferred order for mounting dental film: (1) Maxillary anterior periapical, (2) Mandibular anterior periapical, (3) Maxillary posterior periapical, (4) Mandibular posterior periapical, and (5) Bitewing.

Mandible anatomical landmarks

Structures including the lingual foramen, coronoid process, ramus, mental foramen, genial tubercle, and internal oblique ridge.

Maxillary anatomical landmarks

Structures including the hard palate, nasal septum, nasal conchae, infraorbital foramen, orbit, and mastoid process.

Radiopaque

A characteristic of materials like enamel or materials that appear lighter on an x-ray; enamel is more radiopaque than dentin.

Duplicating film

Special film used for manual duplication of x-rays, requiring a dark room with a safelight and a duplicating machine that produces white light.

X-ray properties

Invisible waves that travel at the speed of light in a straight line but can be deflected.

Tubehead

The part of the x-ray machine where the x-rays are produced.

Collimator

A device that forms the shape and size of the x-ray beam as it leaves the tubehead.

Milliamperage selector

The part of the x-ray machine that determines the number of electrons produced.

X-ray machine testing

The American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology recommends machines be tested annually.

Cataracts

A condition that may result from chronic radiation exposure to the lens of the eye.

Maximum permissible dose (MPD)

The limit of radiation for a dental assistant, which is $5\,rem/year$.

Secondary radiation

Radiation that reflects off the patient's face during exposure.

ALARA principle

A safety protocol (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) achieved through lead aprons, digital radiographs, and minimized exposure time.

Operator safety distance

The distance an operator must stand away from the x-ray beam ($6\,feet$) to minimize exposure.

Aluminum filter

The part of the x-ray machine that removes the most dangerous, long-wavelength x-rays from reaching the patient and operator.

Fetal radiation sensitivity

The stage of pregnancy (weeks $2$ through $15$) where the fetus is most sensitive to radiation.

Long-term low-dose radiation

Radiation exposure that can cause cellular changes not observed for many years.