Dental Radiation Safety Certification (Oct 10, 2026)

Dental Radiation Safety Certification is organized by Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Dentistry and will be held on Oct 10, 2026.

Course Description and Topics:
This course will provide the dental auxiliary with knowledge regarding the production and safe use of ionizing radiation within the dental office. This course will satisfy the Virginia Board of Dentistry's Radiation Certification requirement.

• The nature of radiation and types of interaction of radiation with matter will be presented.
• The nature of various natural and man-made radiation and occupational and nonoccupational dose limits will be discussed.
• The principles of justification, optimization and dose limitation for patient radiation protection will be illustrated by a review of patient selection criteria, imaging modalities, source-to-skin distance, rectangular collimation, filtration, constant potential x-ray machines, kVp, mAs, film and sensor-holding devices, leaded aprons and collars.
• Risks vs. diagnostic benefits of dental radiographs and the subject of retake radiographs will be covered.
• Operator (personnel) radiation protection will include the basic methods to reduce occupational exposure, inclusive of position, distance, shielding and radiation dosimetry.
• Examples of radiation-induced damage will be reviewed, along with a discussion of the known and unknown effects of low-dose radiation.
• Finally, the need for continuing education on radiation safety and protection as new information is acquired will be stressed, as acquiring knowledge and developing and maintaining skills is a life-long process.

Educational Objectives:
At the end of the course, the attendee should be able to:

• Describe how ionizing radiation is produced in an x-ray generator.
• Discuss the various modes of interaction of radiation with matter.
• Discuss selection criteria for dental radiographic studies.
• Describe occupational and public dose limits.
• Discuss practical principles of radiation protection for the patient and for the operator.
• Describe circumstances under which retake radiographs should be made.
• Discuss effects of low-dose radiation