Workforce Education at NHTI

Offered as a rolling admission throughout the semester.

If you’ve ever taken an x-ray only to realize the apices or incisal edges are cut off, or the contacts are overlapped or have difficulty managing a gag reflex and the image needs to be retaken—you’re not alone. When these errors happen again and again, it often means small technique adjustments are needed—and this course will show you exactly how to confidently correct them and achieve consistent, diagnostic results.

Common radiographic errors can be frustrating, time-consuming, increase radiation exposure and disruptive to patient care. This course is designed to help you identify exactly why these errors occur and give you simple, effective techniques to correct them and correct them with confidence, as well as provide strategies for managing a gag reflex to improve patient comfort and imaging success.

This hands-on, personalized refresher course is designed for licensed dental hygienists and DANB-certified dental assistants seeking to strengthen digital radiography skills and build confidence in producing diagnostic-quality images. Tailored to each participant’s specific challenges, participants practice with digital sensors on manikins and receive real-time coaching. Instruction covers adapting techniques for anatomical variations—such as narrow or shallow palates and large tori—and managing gag reflex to improve patient comfort and imaging success.

Upon completion, participants will demonstrate improved confidence, efficiency, and accuracy in producing diagnostic radiographs in a clinical setting.

CEU: 2

Note: CEU’s are not issued if a participant does not pass the class.

Grade Mode:  Pass or Fail

Learning Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Produce diagnostic-quality radiographs using proper receptor placement angulation, and beam alignment techniques in accordance with accepted clinical standards.

2. Identify common radiographic errors and apply corrective techniques to minimize errors and reduce the need for retakes, supporting radiation safety principles.

3. Demonstrate proper digital sensor placement and stabilization for accurate and consistent image capture.

4. Adapt radiographic techniques and tips for anatomical variations, including narrow palates, tori, shallow palate or floor of the mouth.

5. Utilize effective strategies and techniques for managing gag reflex to improve patient comfort and procedural success.

6. Improve clinical efficiency while maintaining compliance with radiation safety standards and best practices.

7. Demonstrate increased confidence and competence in performing digital radiographic procedures.

Target Audience: Designed for licensed dental hygienists and DANB-certified dental assistants seeking to strengthen their digital radiography skills, learn practical techniques and tips, and regain confidence in producing diagnostic-quality images.

Total Duration: 2 Hours

Format: One-on-one, hands‑on workshop using digital x-ray equipment and a manikin.

Other Requirements: Scrubs, lab coat, safety glasses, scrub cap, proper leather or pleather clinic shoes.

Prerequisites and Required Documents:

• Current Dental Hygienist license (RDH) or documentation of successful completion of the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Radiation Health & Safety (RHS) examination.

• Radiology Skill Enhancement Application- please print, fill out, scan, and email back.

Email your documents as attachments in one email to nhtiwe@ccsnh.edu within 10 days of registration to secure your seat.

PLEASE NOTE: You will not be officially registered and a seat will NOT be reserved for you until ALL pre-requisites and required documents have been received, reviewed, and approved.

When adding yourself to the ‘Wait List’, please add your payment method so we may finish enrolling you to the course once it has been determined that you have met all the prerequisites.