Certificate in Dental Radiography
Our NEBDN accredited Certificate in Dental Radiography programme is designed to be provided in locations convenient for the students. We will come into the dental practice to undertake in-house programmes or establish a course at a convenient venue. To date courses have been held at St Annes, Blackburn, and Carnforth (Lancashire), Kirkby (Liverpool) and Manchester, and at our main base in Kirkham, Lancashire.
The Certificate in Dental Radiography is held twice a year, starting in November and May for exams in June and December respectively. The course is coordinated and delivered by Sharon Grant. As each course is tailored to the students participating, the costs can vary. Please contact Sharon for more details
Course Requirements
Dental Nurses wishing to undertake the course MUST have access to both intra oral and extra oral (OPT) radiography. SMG Training will only accept applications from qualified dental nurses.
To gain the qualification, dental nurses must complete:
- Three case studies
- A negatively marked final written exam
- A record of experience
- To include:
- 50 clinical cases comprised of:
- 10 pairs of bitewings
- 20 periapical
- 10 OPTs
- 2 cephs
- 2 bisecting angle
- 2 occlusals
- 4 others
Course content
- Fundamental Physics of Radiation
- Properties of Radiation
- Attenuation of ionising radiation
- Scattering and absorption
- Radiation Hazards and Dosimetry
- Biological effects of radiation
- Risks/benefits of radiation
- Dose optimisation
- Absorbed dose, dose equivalent, effective dose and their units
- Radiation Protection of the patient
- General radiation protection
- Procedures for untoward incidents involving overexposure to ionising radiation
Radiation protection
The CPD requirements in the subject area of Radiation Protection will vary depending on the role of the individual. It is important for Dental Nurse Radiographers to be aware that the areas of Radiation Protection that they need to gain CPD in is different to that of non-operator Dental Nurses. It should also be remembered that the CPD is necessary to retain the title of Dental Nurse Radiographer.
CPD requirements in the subject area of Radiation Protection for Dental Nurses are:
5 hours of verifiable CPD This can be:
- IR(ME)R updates
- Courses about legislation or other working practices
- Film Fault audits
- Quality assurance
CPD requirements for hygienists, therapists and Dental Nurse Radiographers must include:
5 hours of verifiable CPD- Principles of radiation physics
- Risks of ionising radiation
- Radiation doses in dental radiography
- Factors affecting dose in dental radiography
- Principles of radiation protection
- Statutory requirements
- Quality Assurance
Radiation Protection is Sharon's area of specialty and providing courses in this subject takes her around the country. She can provide individual courses aimed at dental nurses, dental nurse radiographers, hygienists, therapists and dental surgeons, or the whole dental team together.
Each course is written to the requirements of the attending dental professionals. You can choose an area of Radiation Protection or provide us with details of your practice and its involvement in x- rays and we will do the rest. Courses can vary between one hour or one day depending on need.
Examples of CPD courses provided so far:
IRMER Updates
Film Fault Analysis
Risks versus Benefit
Quality assurance and Quality Control
Radiation and the Child Patient
Selection Criteria and Referral Guidelines
Introduction to CBCT
Please contact Sharon for information regarding Radiation Protection CPD or any other Radiation course you may require.
