Radiography and imaging
What this domain tests
Radiography questions test principles, safety and interpretation within your scope.
Core rules
- Justify every exposure; use ALARA and optimise technique. The Radiation Safety Act 2016 and Radiation Safety Standards apply.
- Use rectangular collimation, appropriate film holders, and correct exposure factors. Digital sensors reduce dose but do not remove the need for justification.
- Intraoral views include bitewings and periapicals; OPG is not a substitute for intraoral detail.
- Quality assurance includes machine checks, image quality review and dose recording.
- Interpret within your scope: describe findings such as approximal radiolucencies, bone loss, calculus and restorations; refer uncertainty.
- Record findings and the reason for the exposure.
Worked example
A bitewing shows a radiolucency in the outer enamel of 26 mesial. Describe it as an enamel-limited approximal lesion and correlate with clinical findings; plan prevention and review rather than immediate restoration.
Traps
Retaking an image without a clinical reason; diagnosing from an OPG alone; ignoring pregnancy questions but also refusing imaging unnecessarily; interpreting beyond your competence.