Dental Radiology

Dental Radiology: (see below for course description)

DAS is no longer presenting this class room course but DAS has published a HOME STUDY MANUAL that can be purchased and used as an aid in studying and preparing for DANB’s RHS exam discussed below.  The course manual will include practice tests and answer sheets that will definitely help you through the class room course (of another program) and help prepare you for your national exam. 

 

Private Tutoring:

Private tutoring is available for Radiology.  If you have read through the manual and are still confused or have questions, if you’re the type of person that simply isn’t self-motivated and needs a sense of accountability, or if you simply learn better by meeting with someone in person you may be interested in private tutoring.

Tutoring sessions are one-on-one and allow you the personal time and attention you may be seeking.  Tutoring is self-led, meaning that you should come prepared in advance with questions and that you control the topic of discussion.  Private tutoring is not meant as a replacement for a class where a curriculum (outline of topics to be discussed) is prepared for you in advance. 

Dental Radiology Course Description:

A Dental Radiology course is approved by the Technologist Certification Section of the Bureau of X-Ray Compliance (in turn a part of the NJ Department of Environmental Protection) and is designed to prepare students to take the exam that will lead to becoming a Licensed Dental Radiologic Technologist (LDRT).  In other words, you’ll have an x-ray license to perform dental-specific procedures.  You may also see the phrase Limited Dental Radiologic Technologist, which refers to the fact that you are limited to performing only dental-specific radiological procedures as opposed to performing radiological procedures on other parts of the human body.

The course is broken down into three components:

  1. A didactic component
  2. A laboratory component
  3. A clinical component

The didactic component

The didactic (or instructional) component is the more traditional classroom time.  It is here that you will first be introduced to the required radiology concepts and practices that you will need to know and be able to perform in order to obtain your license.  In this part of the course students will learn about radiation physics, radiation biology, exposure and processing techniques, radiation safety, processing chemicals, and mounting films.  Students will spend a minimum of 30 hours in a classroom setting. 

DAS is no longer presenting this course, but has published A HOME STUDY MANUAL that can be purchased and used as an aid in studying and preparing for DANB’s  RHS  exam discussed below.  Course manuals will include practice tests and answer sheets that will definitely help you through your class room course and help prepare you for your national exam.  

The laboratory component

The laboratory component of this course is designed to provide students a truly hands-on opportunity to practice their newly learned skills.  You will practice actual procedures with real instruments, equipment, and live radiation using a mannequin as your patient.  Students will expose actual radiographs (x-rays) and later process (develop) those radiographs.  Students will however, not be allowed to practice exposing films on each other.  A minimum of 20 hours are required for laboratory time.  

The clinical component

This clinical component of the course can only begin after completion of the first two components (the didactic and laboratory components).  The “clinical” must be performed in a state approved (Bureau of X-Ray Compliance approved) dental office where you are supervised by a properly licensed individual.  If you are already working in a dental office you may be able to use your current employer to complete your clinical, pending approval.

New regulation from New Jersey’s Bureau of X-Ray Compliance requires that prospective students obtain an agreement with a dental office where they can and plan to complete their clinical component before being permitted to register or enroll in a state-approved dental radiology program.

For more specific information about the clinical component please click here or visit the clinical section of our Frequently Asked Questions page. Of course, if you still have questions please feel free to contact us.

After obtaining a NJ dental x-ray license most dental assistants will begin working on their Certified Dental Assistant (CDA ) certificate. 

One of the requirements for becoming a CDA certificant is to pass DANB’s RHS exam.  

If you complete all of the other requirements to become a CDA certificant within five years (which is certainly realistic), having passed the RHS exam now in order to become a Licensed Dental Radiologic Technologist will exempt you from having to take the RHS exam a second time as part of earning your CDA certification.

Students who are pregnant or who may become pregnant are allowed to take the full radiology course including both the laboratory and clinical components. Upon becoming aware of your pregnancy, a written pregnancy policy as mandated by the Department of Environmental Protection should be provided by your qualified classroom program.
The purchase of a separate textbook will be required for this course. 

Check with your classroom course provider before you purchase a book. Different providers of the course may use different books.

Typical Course Sequence

This chart displays the usual order that students will take our courses and the order in which they obtain their credentials.  For a more detailed overview, please click here.

 

Credential/License: Courses: Exams:
Dental Assistant with a Limited Permit 1. Introduction Dental Assisting None
Dental X-Ray License (LDRT) 2. Dental Radiology Radiation Health & Safety (RHS )
Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) Certificate  3. Review of Radiation Health & Safety*

4. Infection Control

5. General Chairside 		Radiation Health & Safety (RHS ), Infection Control, General Chairside
Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) 6. Expanded Functions Expanded Functions

*If you obtained your dental x-ray license in NJ you will most likely not have to take the Review of Radiation Health & Safety course in order to obtain a CDA certificate.

For further information about the Limited Dental Radiologic Technology license, please visit the Bureau of X-Ray Compliance (a division of the NJ Department of Environmental Protection) online.

    Requirements for licensure:

    1. You must be at least 18 years old.
    2. You must complete a form indicating that you are “of good moral character”.
    3. You must provide documentation of having completed at least a high school level education in the United States or its equivalent.  The following documents satisfy the requirement set by the DEP:
      • A United States high school diploma
      • A United States high school transcript
      • A passing GED (General Educational Development) test
      • Evidence of a United States college or university degree (i.e., a degree or transcript indicating that a degree has been earned)
      • For international students, a translated and evaluated high school or above diploma, degree, or transcript is required.  See the other useful sites section of our useful links page for help locating an approved translation and educational evaluation service.
    1. You must complete an approved course.
    2. You must fill out an application from the DEP.
    3. You must pass an exam approved by the DEP
      • Most students will take DANB’s  RHS  exam.
      • Some students such as those from others states who have taken and passed an equivalent exam or the DANB exam elsewhere may be able to avoid having to take the RHS exam in New Jersey.  The NJ DEP will make this determination.

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