Fundamentals of Digital Radiography for Dental Healthcare Professionals

Digital radiography is rapidly replacing photographic film-based imaging in practice. All of us will be familiar with the challenges of maintaining consistent quality when using photographic film, and digital systems offer us many advantages. However, digital technology can present some challenges and our experience is that a good understanding of the fundamental differences in technology will enable practitioners to obtain consistently high image quality and to optimise radiation dose.

This short course for dental health care professionals will introduce participants to the technologies used in digital radiography, comparing and contrasting these with film-based imaging systems and explaining their similarities and differences. It will discuss the relationship between radiation exposure and image quality and the importance of good radiographic technique to maximise quality and optimise radiation dose, and the importance of regular quality assurance checks.

Aim

To update dental healthcare professionals and improve their knowledge of digital radiography systems to ensure safe working practices and improved patient care.

Optimisation of radiation dose is a fundamental requirement of the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 (IR(ME)R17). This course will cover parts of the syllabus set out in Schedule 2 of IR(ME)R and attendance can contribute towards the GDC recommended CPD update requirements. An attendance certificate will be issued.

Objectives

This course will cover the technologies used in digital radiography, comparing and contrasting these with film-based imaging systems and explaining their similarities and differences. It will discuss the relationship between radiation exposure and image quality and the techniques that can be used to maximise quality and optimise radiation dose. It will enable attendees to recognise and correct imaging faults and will discuss the regular quality assurance checks that should be made.

Learning outcomes

Upon Completion of this course, delegates will:

· Understand the technologies used in direct and indirect digital radiography systems

· Be able to compare and contrast digital imaging and film-based imaging systems and details their advantages and disadvantages

· Understand the main technique factors that affect image quality and radiation dose

· Understand the importance of maintaining a good radiographic technique to maximise quality and optimise radiation dose

· Be able to recognise technique, exposure, processing and positioning faults on digital images and understand how to avoid these

· Understand the importance of a quality assurance programme and the basic regular checks that should be undertaken on digital imaging systems.

Role Intended:

Dentists,

Dental Therapists

Dental Technicians

Clinical Dental Technicians

Dental Nurses

Dental Students

Dental Receptionists

Tickets:

Offers are provided for members.

Tickets are non-refundable and please select them correctly!

CPD Hours:

1.5h

Subject areas:

Treatment planning, patient exam, diagnosis & management (B, C)

Pre-course material:

No pre-course reading material is required.

Enquiry:

Should you have any enquiry regarding this course please contact

enquiry@ukdentalcourses.com

Speaker

Dr Mark Viner

FCR, MSc, HDCR, DipHSM, DipFMS, DipFHID, MCFS, CertRP

Senior Tutor in Radiography QMUL – Barts & The London School of Dentistry

Mark has over 38 years’ experience as a radiographer, radiology manager and NHS senior manager in London Teaching Hospitals.

As radiology manager for Barts and the London NHS Trust, he was responsible for all aspects of radiation protection throughout the radiology departments at St Bartholomew’s, The Royal London, Mile End and London Chest Hospitals working closely with the Department of Clinical Physics to implement and ensure compliance with radiation protection legislation. From 2001-2014 he was deputy head of clinical design and commissioning at Barts Health, responsible for clinical design, equipping and commissioning across all clinical areas in the new hospitals of this £1bn scheme, including the 13 room digital imaging department in the dental hospital & school.

Throughout his career, he has been actively involved in radiography education, as a visiting lecturer at a number of UK universities and presenting at national and international conferences. He took up the position of Senior Tutor in Radiography in 2014 and teaches on the undergraduate and post-graduate programmes in dentistry. He also lectures in forensic radiography at Cranfield University, Defence Academy of the UK, Shrivenham.

He has a specific interest in dental & forensic imaging and forensic human identification , has authored a number of papers and book chapters on the subject and is currently completing a PhD by prior publication. He is module lead for Dental and Maxillo Facial Radiography of the NHS E-learning for health on-line learning programme and has co-authored a series of articles for Dental Practice Magazine. He is co-editor of the second edition of Brogdon’s Forensic Radiography, founder editorial board member of the Journal of Forensic Radiology & Imaging and a founder board member of both the International Association of Forensic Radiographers and The International Society of Forensic Radiology & Imaging. He is also Fitness to Practice Panel member for the UK Health Care Professions Council.

He has been awarded the Fellowship of the College of Radiographers, The Gold Medal of the Society & College of Radiographers and a Winston Churchill Fellowship.