IOWA DENTAL BOARD STUDY GUIDE 2026 EXAM
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS SCORED A+
✔✔What are ions and what is their relationship to dental radiography? - ✔✔Ions are
charged particles; x-rays can break apart atomic structure and create ions.
Ions can recombine in combinations that are harmful to the body.
✔✔Exposure
Absorbed dose
Dose equivalent - ✔✔Air-Roentgen-Coulombs/kg
Amount of energy deposited in matter-Rad-Gray
Amount of energy deposited in living tissue-Rem-Sievert
✔✔When would a patient's whole body be exposed to radiation? - ✔✔When outdoors in
the sun, or during a nuclear accident or nuclear war
✔✔List the following body cells in order of their tissue sensitivity, with the most resistant
cells listed first: - ✔✔Muscle-Nerve and brain-Bone-Connective tissue-Skin-Immature
reproductive cells-Blood cells
✔✔Identify and order the four stages of exposure. - ✔✔Exposure, latent period, period
of injury, period of recovery
✔✔What is meant by latent period? - ✔✔Time between exposure and visible effects.
✔✔If damaged, how long does it take genetic cells to repair? - ✔✔Genetic cells do not
repair
✔✔Should a dental assistant be more concerned with acute exposure or chronic
exposures? - ✔✔Chronic exposures
✔✔What are the two best ways to limit the amount of radiation exposure to a patient? -
✔✔Make exposures only when there is a diagnostic need
Use the fastest film possible
✔✔What is the function of a filter? - ✔✔Remove longer wavelength or soft x-rays from
the primary beam
✔✔What is the function of the collimator? - ✔✔Reduce the size of the primary beam
and thereby the amount of tissue exposed to radiation
✔✔Why are film holders considered a way to reduce radiation exposure? - ✔✔Fewer
retakes are needed if film holders are used
, ✔✔What is an artifact? - ✔✔A blemish or image on the radiograph that is not present in
the actual object
✔✔What are effects of chronic exposure to radiation? - ✔✔Shortened life span, cataract
formation, embryologic defects, genetic mutations, cancer
✔✔What are effects of acute exposure to radiation? - ✔✔Erythema, vomiting, diarrhea,
hair loss, nausea, hemorrhage
✔✔What should be included in a written quality assurance program? - ✔✔Monitoring
and maintenance schedule, log of tests and results, log of retakes, staff responsible for
tests, periodic evaluation of plan
✔✔What is the purpose of an output test? - ✔✔Check the function of the x-ray unit
✔✔Why are quality control tests performed? - ✔✔To discover problems before
exposures are made on patients, to maintain a high standard of image quality, to keep
patient exposures to a minimum and reduce the number of retakes
✔✔How is a stepwedge made? What two tests can it be used for? - ✔✔Attach pieces of
lead foil to a cardboard or tongue depressor
Used for output test and chemical freshness test
✔✔Describe the coin test and its purpose. - ✔✔Under safelight conditions, unwrap a
film and place a coin on it
Leave coin on film for about 4 minutes, process film
Successful test will result in clear film
if the outline of the coin is visible, there's a safelight problem
✔✔Where is the safest place for an operator to stand if there is no shielding? - ✔✔6
feet away; out of primary beam, behind the bulkiest part of patient's head
✔✔What are the MPD values for radiation workers, pregnant radiation workers, and the
general public? - ✔✔Radiation workers: 50 mSv/year (5 rem)
pregnant worker & general public: 5mSv/year (0.5 rem)
✔✔Why is infection control a concern during radiographic procedures? - ✔✔Saliva can
contain pathogens that cause viruses like colds, the flu, hepatitis, or herpes simplex
✔✔What are barrier packs and what is their purpose? - ✔✔Clear plastic bags that film
can be put in so the film itself does not become contaminated with saliva
✔✔What should be done to instruments used during radiographic procedures? -
✔✔Sterilize all pieces that aren't heat sensitive
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS SCORED A+
✔✔What are ions and what is their relationship to dental radiography? - ✔✔Ions are
charged particles; x-rays can break apart atomic structure and create ions.
Ions can recombine in combinations that are harmful to the body.
✔✔Exposure
Absorbed dose
Dose equivalent - ✔✔Air-Roentgen-Coulombs/kg
Amount of energy deposited in matter-Rad-Gray
Amount of energy deposited in living tissue-Rem-Sievert
✔✔When would a patient's whole body be exposed to radiation? - ✔✔When outdoors in
the sun, or during a nuclear accident or nuclear war
✔✔List the following body cells in order of their tissue sensitivity, with the most resistant
cells listed first: - ✔✔Muscle-Nerve and brain-Bone-Connective tissue-Skin-Immature
reproductive cells-Blood cells
✔✔Identify and order the four stages of exposure. - ✔✔Exposure, latent period, period
of injury, period of recovery
✔✔What is meant by latent period? - ✔✔Time between exposure and visible effects.
✔✔If damaged, how long does it take genetic cells to repair? - ✔✔Genetic cells do not
repair
✔✔Should a dental assistant be more concerned with acute exposure or chronic
exposures? - ✔✔Chronic exposures
✔✔What are the two best ways to limit the amount of radiation exposure to a patient? -
✔✔Make exposures only when there is a diagnostic need
Use the fastest film possible
✔✔What is the function of a filter? - ✔✔Remove longer wavelength or soft x-rays from
the primary beam
✔✔What is the function of the collimator? - ✔✔Reduce the size of the primary beam
and thereby the amount of tissue exposed to radiation
✔✔Why are film holders considered a way to reduce radiation exposure? - ✔✔Fewer
retakes are needed if film holders are used
, ✔✔What is an artifact? - ✔✔A blemish or image on the radiograph that is not present in
the actual object
✔✔What are effects of chronic exposure to radiation? - ✔✔Shortened life span, cataract
formation, embryologic defects, genetic mutations, cancer
✔✔What are effects of acute exposure to radiation? - ✔✔Erythema, vomiting, diarrhea,
hair loss, nausea, hemorrhage
✔✔What should be included in a written quality assurance program? - ✔✔Monitoring
and maintenance schedule, log of tests and results, log of retakes, staff responsible for
tests, periodic evaluation of plan
✔✔What is the purpose of an output test? - ✔✔Check the function of the x-ray unit
✔✔Why are quality control tests performed? - ✔✔To discover problems before
exposures are made on patients, to maintain a high standard of image quality, to keep
patient exposures to a minimum and reduce the number of retakes
✔✔How is a stepwedge made? What two tests can it be used for? - ✔✔Attach pieces of
lead foil to a cardboard or tongue depressor
Used for output test and chemical freshness test
✔✔Describe the coin test and its purpose. - ✔✔Under safelight conditions, unwrap a
film and place a coin on it
Leave coin on film for about 4 minutes, process film
Successful test will result in clear film
if the outline of the coin is visible, there's a safelight problem
✔✔Where is the safest place for an operator to stand if there is no shielding? - ✔✔6
feet away; out of primary beam, behind the bulkiest part of patient's head
✔✔What are the MPD values for radiation workers, pregnant radiation workers, and the
general public? - ✔✔Radiation workers: 50 mSv/year (5 rem)
pregnant worker & general public: 5mSv/year (0.5 rem)
✔✔Why is infection control a concern during radiographic procedures? - ✔✔Saliva can
contain pathogens that cause viruses like colds, the flu, hepatitis, or herpes simplex
✔✔What are barrier packs and what is their purpose? - ✔✔Clear plastic bags that film
can be put in so the film itself does not become contaminated with saliva
✔✔What should be done to instruments used during radiographic procedures? -
✔✔Sterilize all pieces that aren't heat sensitive
