Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Radiodiagnosis Facilities Manager
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Teaching staff
Cristina Gámez Cenzano, MD, PhD
Subject Professor / Responsable Teaching Guide and Theoretical Classes
Mail:cgamez@uic.es
Ignasi Modolell
Technical Director / Responsable Practical Exercises
Mail: imodolell@uic.es
Montserrat Ribot
Administrative Support
Mail: mribot@uic.es
Introduction
Dental radiographs must be performed in X-ray medical diagnostic facilities. The odontologist needs a training in security and radiation protection being enabled to direct the operation of these facilities.
This subject is compulsory, it is given in the 2nd semester and it allows the obtention of 3 credits.
Pre-course requirements
Registration
Objectives
1) Education/Training in Radiation Protection
To improve the knowledge of the student of radiation protection, covering especially the aspects with radiation protection of the exposed workers and the members of the public (RD 783/2001 and 1085/2009), but without forgetting either the fundamental aspects radiation protection to the patient (RD 1132/1990, 1976/1999 and 815/2001).
2) Accreditation: Director of Dental Radiodiagnostic Facilities with X-rays.
In addition, as the training as been accredited by the Nuclear Security Council (Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear) if the student passes the course as soon as has the degree/degree he will cover the objective to be properly credited to direct to the Dental Radiodiagnostic Facilities with X-rays, in accordance with the established regulations in articles 22 and 23 of RD 1085/2009, of 3 of July, concerning an accreditation that is granted exclusively with the object of radiation protection, notwithstanding the degrees and requirements that are indispensable in each case in the professional order.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- 03 - Knowing how to identify the concerns and expectations of patients, as well as how to communicate effectively and clearly, both orally and in writing, with patients, family members, the media and other professionals.
- 05 - Knowing how to apply the correct principles to control anxiety and stress in oneself, in patients and in other memebers of the dentistry team.
- 06 - Understanding the importance of achieving a professional practice that respects the independence, beliefs and culture of all patients.
- 07 - Promoting new knowledge and techniques being acquired through autonomous learning, as well as the motivation to achieve quality.
- 08 - Knowing how to share information with other healthcare professionals and how to work as part of a team.
- 09 - Understanding the importance of keeping and using patient files in order to subsequently analyse them, while ensuring patient confidentiality is maintained.
- 15 - Being familiar with the general pathological characteristics of the illnesses and disorders that affect organic systems, specifically those which have dental repercussions.
- 17 - Understanding and recognising the principles of ergonomics and safety at work (including the control of cross infection, radiation protection and occupational and biological diseases).
- 20 - Obtaining and creating a medical record containing all the relevant information.
- 21 - Knowing how to undertake a full dental exam, including the necessary X-ray and complementary exploratory tests, as well as obtaining suitable clinical references.
- 22 - Having the ability to make an initial diagnostic judgement and establish a reasonable diagnostic strategy, as well as being competent in recognising situations that require urgent dental treatment.
- 23 - Establishing a diagnosis, prognosis and suitable treatment planning for all the different clinical areas of Dentistry, being competent in terms of the diagnosis, prognosis and writing up the dental care plan for patients who require special care, including medically compromised patients (such as diabetics, those with hypertension, a depressed immune system or are anticoagulated, etc) and patients with disabilities.
- 27 - Outlining and proposing suitable preventative measures for each clinical situation.
- 28 - Acquiring clinical experience under suitable supervision.
- 30 - Recognising the role of the dentist in actions to prevent and protect against oral diseases, as well as the maintenance and promotion of good health, both at an individual level and a community level.
- 35 - Knowing the scientific principles of sterilisation, disinfection and the antiseptics necessary to prevent cross-infection in dental practice
- 36 - Knowing the danger of ionising radiation and its impact on biological tissue, as well as the legislation that regulates its use. Knowing how to manage dental radiodiagnostic facilities
- 37 - Undertaking the x-rays that are necessary in dental practice, interpreting the images obtained and learning about other important image-based diagnosis techniques
- 38 - Being aware of clinical and laboratory-based procedures and diagnostic tests, knowing their reliability and diagnostic viability and being competent in interpreting the results
- 39 - Recognising oral normality and pathology, as well as the evaluation of semiological data
- 40 - Identifying the main reason for the consultation and the history of the current disease. Creating a general medical record and a clinical record which accurately reflect the patient's notes
- 44 - Knowing about and being able to use the basic tools and equipment for dental practice
- 45 - Applying the principles of ergonomics to dentistry work, both at an individual level and a work-group level where appropriate, also in terms of the principles of the prevention of work-related accidents in dental practice
- 54 - Knowing the role of the dentist within the healthcare professions and working with other healthcare professionals and other members of the dentistry team
- 55 - Recognising that the patient is the centre of attention and that all the interaction, including the prevention, diagnosis, planning and carrying out of the treatment and maintenance, and must support their best interests, always avoiding any type of discrimination and respecting confidentiality
- 66 - Taking and interpreting x-rays and other image-based procedures that are important in dental practice
- 67 - Creating diagnostic models, setting them up and taking inter-occlusal registrations
- 68 - Determining and identifying the aesthetic requirements of patients and the possibility of resolving their concerns
Learning outcomes of the subject
- 1.13 - Identify using image techniques, structures of different topographical regions of the human body
- 1.20 - Identify using image techniques, structures of different topographical regions of the head and neck
- 1.29 - Identify using image techniques, structures of the different topographical regions of the oral cavity and teeth in particular
- 2.12 - Use of specific IT tools
Syllabus
THEORETICAL CLASSES and SEMINARS
PART 1. BASIC CONCEPTS
Section 1: Atomic structure
- Nature of the electromagnetic radiation
- Energy units in atomic physics
- The electromagnetic radiation: the photon
- Structure of the atom
- Absorption and emission of energy
- X-ray production: X-rays characteristic and radiation of braking
Section 2: Interaction of the radiation with the matter
- Particle interaction
- Photon interaction
- Photon attenuation
- Processes of interaction
- Formation of the radiological image
- X-ray spectra
- Effective atomic number
Seminar Part 1
PART 2. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EQUIPMENT AND X-RAY BEAMS
Section 3: Physical characteristics of the radiodiagnostic equipment
- Devices associated to the X-ray tube
- Characteristics of the image systems
Section 4: The radiation beam. X-ray spectrum
- The radiation beam.
- X-ray spectrum.
- Factors that modify the form of the X-ray spectrum
- Estimation of the quality of the beam
- Influence of the phantom on the quality of the image.
- Influence of the phantom on the dose to the patient.
Seminar Part 2
AND RADIATION MEASUREMENT
Section 5: Magnitudes and units
- Exhibition and units
- Absorbed dose and units
- Dose equivalent and quality factor
- Effective dose equivalent
- Rates. Relation between magnitudes
- General aspects referred these magnitudes
- Magnitudes of interest in dosimetry of the patient
Section 6: Detection and dosimetry of the radiation
- Physical basis of the radiation detection
- Detectors of gaseous ionisation.
- Scintillation detectors
- Environmental and personal dosimetry
- Used portable monitors of radiation in radiology
- Measurement of the dose in direct beam
Seminar Part 3 (2 h)
PART 4. IONIZING BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF RADIATION.
Section 7: Ionizing biological effects of radiation
- General aspects of the interaction of the radiation in biological tissues
- Determinist effects and sthocastics effects
- Delayed effects of the radiation. Somatic and genetic
Seminar Part 4
PART 5: REGULATIONS AND BASIC LEGISLATION IN RADIODIAGNOSTIC FACILITIES.
Section 8: Spanish legislation applicable to radiodiagnostic facilities
- Basic laws: Law on nuclear power and Law of creation of the Council of Nuclear safety (Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear).
- Basic Spanish Regulations:
- Regulation on installation and use of medical diagnosis X-ray equipment.
- RD of Quality in Radiodiagnostics.
- RD on nuclear power plants and radioactive
- Regulation on sanitary protection against ionizing radiations
- R.D on justification of the use of the ionizing radiations
- Other laws of interest
- Applicable European legislation
PART 6. BASICS IN RADIATION PROTECTION
Section 9: Radiation Protection. basics
- Concept and objectives of the Radiation Protection
- The system of radiation protection of dose: justification, optimization and limitation of the dose
- Basic measures of Radiation Protection
- National organisms related to the Radiation Protection.
Section 10: Operational Radiation Protection
- Introduction: Practices and interventions
- Prevention of the exposure.
- Evaluation of the exposure.
- Measures of Protection of the exposed workers
- Measures of Protection for the members of the public.
- Inspection. Sanctions
- General criteria of dose reduction
Seminar Part 6
PART 7. SPECIFIC RADIATION PROTECTION IN RADIODIAGNOSTIC FACILITIES
Section 11: Specific radiation protection in dental radiodiagnostic facilities.
- General considerations
- Design of facilities
- Technical characteristics of dental radiodiagnostic facilities
- Development of the operational radiation protection
- Organization and control
- Preventive maintenance and corrective
- Particular requirements of RP in facilities that use particular techniques: Digital radiology.
- Particular considerations with respect to the RP of the patients
Seminar Area 7
PART 8: PROGRAM OF QUALITY ASSURANCE
Section 12: Guarantee and quality control in dental radiodiagnostic facilities
- General aspects of the quality assurance in radiology.
- Implantation of a program of quality assurance in radiology
- Organization and development of a program of quality assurance
- Human and material resources
- Procedures for the explorations
- Global indicators of the quality in radiology.
- Quality control of technical parameters of the equipment.
Seminar Part 8
GEMENT REQUIREMENTS
Section 13: Technical and management requirements
- Procedure of declaration and registry of the equipment and x-ray machines of medical diagnosis.
- Technical specifications of operation:
- Requirements of the personnel.
- Program of radiation protection.
- Periodic and special verifications.
- Devices and articles of protection.
Seminar Part 9
PRACTICAL EXERCISES
PRACTICE 1 - Description and handling of radiation monitors and personal dosimeters
Handling of the radiation monitors that are used in radiology, interpretation of the results of the measures. Criteria for the use of the suitable equipment in each case. Operational and personal Dosimeters.
PRACTICE 2 – Radiation Protection in dental radiodiagnostic facilities
Classification and signalling of the zones. Estimation of the doses that could receive the personnel of operation and members of the public, considering the weekly service load and the results of the environmental radiation measurements. Factors of use and occupation. Verification of the effectiveness of the structural shields and elements of personal protection Application of basic procedures of operation that suppose reduction of the doses and avoid the repetition.
PRACTICE 3 - Quality control of in radiodiagnostic facilities
Interpretation of the results of some basic quality controls: kilovoltage, time of firing, reproducibility, coincidence of radiation and light fields, yield). Measurement of the quality of the beam. Verification of the quality of image. Systems of registry, visualization and storage of image
Teaching and learning activities
In person
The classes are theoretical and practical.
They are distributed throughout the second semester according to the planned calendar that it is possible to be consulted in the Teaching and Learning Material section (Calendar) and the intranet.
The theoretical classes can be masterclasses or seminars. In masterclasses the teaching staff sets out a theoretical subject. In the seminaries the resolution of specific and general problems is approached related to a thematic area. They take place on Mondays from 14:00 to 17:00 online or in the classroom of the Faculty of Odontology according to the planned calendar and regulations in force.
The practical exercises are the experimental demonstration of the concepts worked in the theoretical classes and allow the familiarisation with the equipment (equipment of X-rays, detectors,…). They are performed in groups of 6 students in the University Clinic of Odontology (CUO) with a duration of 5 hours concentrated in a morning of Saturday by student. The distribution of the groups of practices and its professor is available in the intranet. If justified the change of day/group can be requested to the secretariat of the Faculty before the first day of the theoretical classes.
All theoretical and practical classes are COMPULSORY, with a minimum attendance of 90%, which is a requirement to be atend to the examinations of the subject and for the accreditation as Director of Dental Radiodiagnostic Facilities with X-rays.
The students and professors should register their participation (attendance/teaching) by their SIGNATURE in the corresponding listings enabled for that purpose presenting the personnel identity card (DNI).
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
The final evaluation of the university subject the theoretical and practical knowledge acquired by the students will be performed through the qualification of a written examination type test with questions and 4 possible answers of which, only one will be true. In order to pass the examination it is necessary to answer correctly more than 55% of the questions. The students who failed that forst exam will be able to present to a second exam.
In addition, students can be able to get the accreditacion of Director of Dental Radiodiagnostic Facilities with X-rays performing a second written examination with a similar format that has been previously described for the university subject. Final accreditacion requires the attendance to the theoretical and practical sessions (more than 90% and 100%, respectively). An additional exam is possible in case of failure. The accreditation certificate will be issued by the UIC once the student has the corresponding degree.
Bibliography and resources
Notes of all the classes have been published “MATERIAL DIDACTIC”. They available in the moodle.
Take the notes of practical work at the end of the document to practical classes to follow them appropiately.
Evaluation period
- E1 12/05/2025 A03 08:00h
- E1 12/05/2025 A01 08:00h
- E1 12/05/2025 A02 08:00h