Contribute to producing dental radiographic images
Overview
This standard is for those who contribute to producing (digital or non-digital) dental radiographic images for diagnostic and quality assurance purposes. It is about preparing equipment and materials for taking dental radiographic images, as well as protecting others from hazards associated with ionising radiation. Users of this standard will need to know about the various dental radiographic films and digital systems.
Dental procedures may be carried out in general dental practices, public dental services, hospital settings, domiciliary or other non-standard environments.
Users of this standard will need to ensure their practice reflects up to date information and policies.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- Retrieve and make individuals records available to identify planned treatments in accordance with workplace procedures
- Apply Standard Infection Control Precautions and take other appropriate health and safety measures during production of dental radiographic images
- Select, offer and prepare correct equipment and resources to produce dental radiographic images
- Confirm radiography equipment is functioning and ready for use in accordance with workplace procedures
- Monitor individuals during procedures to identify complications, taking necessary actions in accordance with workplace procedures and within your own scope of practice
- Contribute to producing and storing dental radiographic images in accordance relevant legislation, guidelines, and workplace procedures
- Dispose of waste in accordance with all relevant legislation, guidelines, and workplace procedures
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
1. Current legislation, guidelines and workplace procedures relevant to using ionising radiation and how to apply these
2. Standard Infection Control Precautions and how to apply these
3. Practical protective measures used to minimise risks to individuals, self, oral healthcare teams and the public
4. The purpose of using ionising radiation in dentistry
5. Hazards and risks associated with ionising radiations including effects on general health and different doses of radiation on people
6. Why radiation doses should be as low as reasonably practicable
7. The range of different roles and responsibilities of those involved in producing dental radiographic images
8. Different equipment and resources required to produce dental radiographic images
9. Different types and purposes of dental radiographic images
10. The purpose of intensifying screens in dental radiography
11. The importance of quality assurance in dental radiography
12. How to confirm correct functioning of radiographic equipment and actions to take for equipment failure
13. Items which may interfere with radiographic images and the importance of preventing this
14. Concerns individuals may have regarding dental imaging and methods of supporting individuals when taking dental images
15. Methods of processing both extra and intra oral dental radiograph images and how to apply these
16. The importance of safe handling of resources to maintain the quality of dental radiographic images
17. Criteria for determining whether radiographic images are of acceptable quality and how to apply these
18. Different types of faults that could occur during the production of dental radiographic images
19. Methods of storing different types of radiographic images.
20. Different methods of waste disposal and how to apply these