Reviewer: Jacqueline C. Dailey, RDH, MS (University of Maryland)
Description: This book uses a logical, straightforward approach to providing fundamental radiological methodology and concepts that are pertinent to dental radiographers. This is useful both for dentists who are responsible for the legitimacy of prescribing diagnostic radiographs (images) and subsequent interpretation, and for their clinical employees, dental assistants and dental hygienists, who routinely expose panoramic images.
Purpose: The purpose is to provide clinically relevant information for dental professionals on how to take and improve the quality of panoramic radiographs and to help dentists achieve the maximum diagnostic yield from these images. This book will help dental professionals achieve the objectives and, as the author notes in the preface, "books about modern panoramic technology are not readily available."
Audience: The audience includes dental/dental hygiene students and clinical faculty, practicing dentists and dental hygienists, and dental assistants employed primarily in general dental, orthodontic, and oral maxillofacial settings. The book is easy to comprehend and is a current, user friendly resource on panoramic technology.
Features: The author's discussion covers the underlying principles of taking quality panoramic images to the ultimate outcome, the identification of normal anatomical structures and anomalies of the orofacial region. In subsequent chapters, he elaborates on the discovery of systemic and trauma related conditions occasionally revealed on panoramic radiographs. He discusses quality assurance and provides readers with tangible ways of "getting the most out of panoramic radiographs" in the first chapter and, throughout the book, he discusses both fundamental and multifaceted concepts in a style that's easy for readers to grasp. The subject areas are covered well and the information delivered in a very comprehendible way. The book is somewhat expensive, which may make it less competitive in today's market. It could be improved with an interactive CD-ROM, especially since digital images are usually interpreted from a computer monitor. The lack of an answer key to test questions at the end of chapters is a potential drawback, particularly since the purpose is to help dental clinicians improve the quality and outcome of panoramic radiography.
Assessment: This is a useful book for dental healthcare workers who expose panoramic images and dentists whose responsibility it is to ensure that these images are high yield quality for accurate anatomical comparisons and diagnoses. Using panoramic radiographs is crucial for patient care. The dental literature reports inconsistencies among dentists who order panoramic radiographs and varying levels of quality panoramic images among dental radiographers who routinely expose these images (Hellen-Halme, 2004; Gijbels, F, 2003; Rushton, V. & Horner, K, 2002; Rush, V., 1999). This will help dental professionals get high-yield diagnostic panoramic radiographs and that the dental profession maintains high standards that exceed the standards recently set for optimum dental care. As a benchmark, dental professionals can use this book to assess their practice behavior. Clinical faculty and practicing dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants should find this book helpful.
