HLTDEN002: Assist with Dental Radiography Case Study Version 1.2

This case study solution addresses the requirements of the HLTDEN002 Assist with Dental Radiography unit, focusing on the practical application of knowledge and skills in a dental setting. It presents responses to two case studies, covering patient communication regarding radiation safety, the rationale for protective measures like lead aprons and thyroid collars, and the reasons for operator departure during exposure. The solution further details safe work practices for manual and digital film processing, including handling, processing, and disposal methods. It explains the steps involved in film mounting and filing, ensuring patient information is correctly managed. The assignment also incorporates guidelines for quality outcomes, grammatical correctness, and clear writing, while referencing relevant legislation and offering resources for organizational improvement. The responses demonstrate an understanding of key issues, facts, and recommendations for improving current situations, reflecting professional presentation standards.

HLTDEN002 Assist with dental radiography
Case Study Version 1.2 (2017/08/21)
HLTDEN002 Assist with dental radiography
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Assessment
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Please read through the following case study. Reflect on your learning and your own research
within this unit.
Prepare a response that responds to each of the issues presented below. Your responses must
reflect your knowledge, skills, and application for this unit.
Case Study 1
You have seated the patient and provided them with the lead apron and thyroid collar. You ask
the patient to stay still when you leave the room so that there will be no movement of the film
packet during exposure. The patient wants to know why you and the operator leave the room
during the exposing of the radiograph and why she needs to have this heavy apron on her. How
do you respond to her without making her fearful of the dose of radiation?
1. Detail to the patient the reason why you provide the lead apron with a thyroid collar for her
to use during radiation exposure.
The lead apron is provided so as to protect a patient or any other person from being exposed
to radiation. The heavy apron protects the covered body organs in addition to minimizing the
overall body effective dosed resulting from exposure. The thyroid collar is also used during
radiation to protect the thyroid from the minimal exposure risk in addition to minimizing the
overall effective dose by a factor ranging between 1.7 and 3. The high exposure dose is
caused by oblique views and an increased distance of the image intensifier from the patient
and table. Radiation exposure leads to several health complications such as cancer, radiation
sickness among others (Dagal, 2011).
2. Explain to the patient why you and the operator leave the room for every patient during the
exposure of radiation.
The health experts administering the radiation leave the room because they do not have the
protective gears on, and the room is smaller to enable them keep the standard 2m distance
from the source of the radiation. Also, the radiation source can lead to an increased
exposure dose being caused by the lateral or oblique views and the distance of the image
intensifier from the table and patient. Therefore, during the exposure of radiation, the
patient is adequately protected whereas the health experts are not, hence for the reason for
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HLTDEN002 Assist with dental radiography
Case Study Version 1.2 (2017/08/21)
their moving out.
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HLTDEN002 Assist with dental radiography
Case Study Version 1.2 (2017/08/21)
Case Study 2
You have prepared three clients for dental radiographs imaging procedures today. One was a
young boy who had knocked his mouth in a schoolyard accident, one was an elderly woman
complaining of a painful ‘right side’, and the third was a gentleman for a routine check. One
required a manual processing cycle, and two required digital transferring imaging.
For each occasion, explain:
1. How you applied safe work practices; handled, processed, and disposed of the radiographic
films; (min 200 words)
The manual processing cycle of X-ray film was carried out in five steps. Step one was
developing the film which involved immersion of the exposed film into the developing
solution until the image appeared. Step two was rinsing the developed film in water for
about 16 seconds before transferring it to the fixer. This ensured that the development
process was slowed and any alkali of the developing solution is removed prior to placing it in
the acidic fixer. The third step was fixing the film whereby it was transferred to the fixer and
left there for approximately 9 minutes. In step four the film was thoroughly washed for the
appropriate period of time in flowing water to take away remaining fixing solution. The fifth
and last step was drying and mounting the film for viewing. Under the automatic process,
automatic machines were used. The exposed film was placed at one end and progressively
passed through the developer, fixer, water and drier. The film passes out through the other
side of the processor already processed, dry, and complete for observing (Andreasen et al.,
2011). The radiographic films were disposed of by recycling. An expert company was hired to
recycle the X-rays and obtain silver after which they were safely disposed.
2. How you mounted and filed the films and digital images that you processed.
While mounting the radiographs, care was exercised to prevent finger marks, and the hands
and fingers had to be clean and dry and the film held only at the edge. The x-ray films are
then removed one by one from the hanger and carefully transferred into the correct opening
in the film mount. All this takes place under enough light. The radiographs are then mounted
in a way that the dental officer is faced by the raised section of the embossed dot. The filing
of the dental radiographs was done in such a way that the holders were identified with the
patients profile information.
Quality outcomes
Ensure the following for your submission:
i) It is grammatically correct.
ii) It is error-free.
iii) It is written in simple English.
iv) It comprises of an average of 15 words for each sentence.
v) There are separate paragraphs for each new content/topic or discussions. Include
references to relevant legislation, which must be defined.
Attach any models, tools, or resources that could be used in an organisation to improve the case
study situations presented.
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HLTDEN002 Assist with dental radiography
Case Study Version 1.2 (2017/08/21)
Tip: Read all text aloud in order to identify any gaps and correct them. Ask another person to
proof read your work in order to check for accuracy before you submit.
Writing strategies and actions for future improvements
A case study is designed for you to demonstrate your skills in reading, accurately interpreting and
providing workable responses and strategies.
Check that your responses provide:
1. Identification and clarification of the key issues. Discuss and provide some suggestions as to
what has caused these.
2. Key facts and information that is relevant and demonstrates your ability to provide solutions.
3. Templates and resources that could assist managers in the future when managing their
teams.
4. Recommendations, both short term and long term, to improve the current situation.
Also ensure the appropriate use of headings and formats so as to reflect a professional
presentation.
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