Special Edition on Radiographic Interpretation as a Teaching Tool for Dental and Dental Hygiene Students
Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. To paraphrase this quote to
the field of dentistry, diagnosis lies in eyes of the dentist, who has to interpret
radiographic images which lead to the diagnosis and ultimately to a definitive treatment plan.
Radiographs produced in dental offices have to be of the highest describable
quality so that interpretation of resultant images are worthy of the time spent making a diagnosis.
Attempts to achieve the best quality images begin at the dental school among aspiring
dental health professionals.
Though most of the dental schools strive to teach acquisition of two dimensional
intra-oral radiographs and interpretation of radiographic images, there are significant challenges.
As far as production of high quality radiographs, students receive limited hands-on training
in exposing, processing and evaluating radiographs.
This is essentially due to the fact that curriculum handlers at the administrative
level believe clinic time is effectively managed if students engage in performing and learning
procedures such as fabrication of crowns etc.
which are thought to be more remunerative than making radiographs
or diagnosis there from. Secondly, dental schools differ largely in the allotted
time spent during the dental curriculum to teach the art of radiographic
interpretation to dental students to make them competent diagnosticians.
We will try to address these two issues separately.
Special Edition on Radiographic Interpretation as a Teaching Tool for Dental and Dental Hygiene Students
Dent Open J. 2015; SE(1): e1-e2. doi: 10.17140/DOJ-SE-1-e001
