DANB RADIOLOGY STUDY GUIDE 2026
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS GRADED A+
◉ What is fast film, such as E-speed film? Answer: Fast film requires
less radiation to produce an image on the film.
◉ What happens when the kilovoltage (kV) setting in the tubehead is
increased? Answer: Electrons move from the cathode to the anode with
more speed.
◉ What are the three supplies needed to duplicate a film? Answer:
Darkroom, duplicating film, and processor.
◉ What is true about different wavelengths produced in dentistry?
Answer: X-rays with longer wavelengths have less penetrating power.
◉ What assists in controlling the amount of radiation emitted to the
patient? Answer: Using the proper exposure factors.
◉ Which type of radiation is also known as 'useful radiation'? Answer:
Primary radiation.
, ◉ What is the maximum permissible dose of radiation that a dental
auxiliary can receive in 1 year? Answer: 5 rems.
◉ What is likely to cause a cone-shaped radiopaque image on a
panoramic x-ray? Answer: Use of a thyroid collar during imaging.
◉ What will be the appearance of a processed film if it is exposed to
white light? Answer: The film will have a foggy appearance.
◉ What size image receptor should be chosen for exposing periapical
images on a young child? Answer: Size 0.
◉ How should a dental assistant wear a dosimeter? Answer: All day,
every day.
◉ Which image needs to show the entire tooth from 2-3 mm beyond the
apex? Answer: Periapical image.
◉ What is not an effective way to achieve the ALARA principle in the
dental office? Answer: Using D film.
◉ When using the bisecting technique, which angle is bisected? Answer:
The angle formed by the image receptor and the long axis of the tooth.
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS GRADED A+
◉ What is fast film, such as E-speed film? Answer: Fast film requires
less radiation to produce an image on the film.
◉ What happens when the kilovoltage (kV) setting in the tubehead is
increased? Answer: Electrons move from the cathode to the anode with
more speed.
◉ What are the three supplies needed to duplicate a film? Answer:
Darkroom, duplicating film, and processor.
◉ What is true about different wavelengths produced in dentistry?
Answer: X-rays with longer wavelengths have less penetrating power.
◉ What assists in controlling the amount of radiation emitted to the
patient? Answer: Using the proper exposure factors.
◉ Which type of radiation is also known as 'useful radiation'? Answer:
Primary radiation.
, ◉ What is the maximum permissible dose of radiation that a dental
auxiliary can receive in 1 year? Answer: 5 rems.
◉ What is likely to cause a cone-shaped radiopaque image on a
panoramic x-ray? Answer: Use of a thyroid collar during imaging.
◉ What will be the appearance of a processed film if it is exposed to
white light? Answer: The film will have a foggy appearance.
◉ What size image receptor should be chosen for exposing periapical
images on a young child? Answer: Size 0.
◉ How should a dental assistant wear a dosimeter? Answer: All day,
every day.
◉ Which image needs to show the entire tooth from 2-3 mm beyond the
apex? Answer: Periapical image.
◉ What is not an effective way to achieve the ALARA principle in the
dental office? Answer: Using D film.
◉ When using the bisecting technique, which angle is bisected? Answer:
The angle formed by the image receptor and the long axis of the tooth.
