Page 1 of 34
SCDA Radiation Safety Exam COMPLETE QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED SOLUTIONS 2026-2027 LATEST UPDATE
THIS YEAR
QUESTION: How are x-rays produced? - ANSWER-By directing the x-ray beams, invisible straight
lines traveling at a constant speed and made visible by processing the image
QUESTION: What are x-rays used for? - ANSWER-Help prevent, monitor, and diagnose potential
oral health care issues in a patients mouth before they become a major problem
QUESTION: X-rays are produced by what type of machine? - ANSWER-A machine whose source
of energy is electricity
QUESTION: How are teeth captured on x-rays? - ANSWER-X-rays pass through soft tissues and
are absorbed by dense tissue. Teeth and bone are very dense so, they absorb x-rays while x-
rays pass more easily through gums & cheeks
Q; X-rays are also known as what? - ANSWER-Radiographs
,Page 2 of 34
QUESTION: What are x-rays? - ANSWER-Photographic images that can be seen on film/screen
QUESTION: Radiation can affect body tissues & cells that can carry what? - ANSWER-Hereditary
materials for future generations
QUESTION: What is the most common type of radiograph in dentistry? - ANSWER-Intraoral x-
rays
QUESTION: What are some things x-rays for adults do? - ANSWER-1. Detect areas of decay that
can not be seen just looking in the mouth (especially decay between teeth)
2. Detect decay under fillings
3. Detect cracks or other damaging in fillings
4. Alert the dentist to possible bone loss from periodontal (gum) disease
5. Show problems in the root of a tooth, such as infection or death of the nerve
6. Help the dentist plan, prepare and place tooth implants, braces, dentures or other dental
work
7. Detect other problems, such as cysts, cancer or changes caused by diseases of the body
,Page 3 of 34
QUESTION: What are some things x-rays for children & teens do? - ANSWER-1. Find decay,
damage to fillings & monitor tooth growth and development
2. Determine if permanent teeth are developing & coming in properly
3. See if any teeth are impacted (unable to come through the gums)
4. Help the dentist plan, prepare & place braces
QUESTION: Who established recommendations as to acceptable levels of exposure to ionizing
radiation? - ANSWER-National Committee on Radiation Protection (NCRP)
QUESTION: What are the recommendations as to acceptable levels of exposure to ionizing
radiation called? - ANSWER-Maximum permissible dose (MPD)
QUESTION: What does the MPD (maximum permissible dose) represent? - ANSWER-Greatest
amount of radiation exposure that is accepted as not producing significant harmful biological
effects
QUESTION: What is the annual occupational dose limit of radiation for adults? - ANSWER-Total
effective dose equivalent being equal to 5 rem (0.05Sv)
, Page 4 of 34
QUESTION: What is the annual occupational dose limit of radiation for minors? - ANSWER-10%
of the annual occupational dose limit specified for adults
QUESTION: What is radiation dose? - ANSWER-Measure of how much energy is absorbed when
something or someone is exposed to X-rays
QUESTION: What are the 2 commonly used ways of talking about radiation dose in dental
procedures? - ANSWER-1. Dose estimated at the patients skin surface (correctly known as
"entrance surface air kerma")
2. Effective dose
QUESTION: What is effective dose? - ANSWER-Dose estimated at the skin surface & is easier to
measure and is used in national surveys of x-ray equipment
QUESTION: How is radiation dose (dose) described? - ANSWER-Using the quantity effective
dose, expressed in millisievert (mSv)
SCDA Radiation Safety Exam COMPLETE QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED SOLUTIONS 2026-2027 LATEST UPDATE
THIS YEAR
QUESTION: How are x-rays produced? - ANSWER-By directing the x-ray beams, invisible straight
lines traveling at a constant speed and made visible by processing the image
QUESTION: What are x-rays used for? - ANSWER-Help prevent, monitor, and diagnose potential
oral health care issues in a patients mouth before they become a major problem
QUESTION: X-rays are produced by what type of machine? - ANSWER-A machine whose source
of energy is electricity
QUESTION: How are teeth captured on x-rays? - ANSWER-X-rays pass through soft tissues and
are absorbed by dense tissue. Teeth and bone are very dense so, they absorb x-rays while x-
rays pass more easily through gums & cheeks
Q; X-rays are also known as what? - ANSWER-Radiographs
,Page 2 of 34
QUESTION: What are x-rays? - ANSWER-Photographic images that can be seen on film/screen
QUESTION: Radiation can affect body tissues & cells that can carry what? - ANSWER-Hereditary
materials for future generations
QUESTION: What is the most common type of radiograph in dentistry? - ANSWER-Intraoral x-
rays
QUESTION: What are some things x-rays for adults do? - ANSWER-1. Detect areas of decay that
can not be seen just looking in the mouth (especially decay between teeth)
2. Detect decay under fillings
3. Detect cracks or other damaging in fillings
4. Alert the dentist to possible bone loss from periodontal (gum) disease
5. Show problems in the root of a tooth, such as infection or death of the nerve
6. Help the dentist plan, prepare and place tooth implants, braces, dentures or other dental
work
7. Detect other problems, such as cysts, cancer or changes caused by diseases of the body
,Page 3 of 34
QUESTION: What are some things x-rays for children & teens do? - ANSWER-1. Find decay,
damage to fillings & monitor tooth growth and development
2. Determine if permanent teeth are developing & coming in properly
3. See if any teeth are impacted (unable to come through the gums)
4. Help the dentist plan, prepare & place braces
QUESTION: Who established recommendations as to acceptable levels of exposure to ionizing
radiation? - ANSWER-National Committee on Radiation Protection (NCRP)
QUESTION: What are the recommendations as to acceptable levels of exposure to ionizing
radiation called? - ANSWER-Maximum permissible dose (MPD)
QUESTION: What does the MPD (maximum permissible dose) represent? - ANSWER-Greatest
amount of radiation exposure that is accepted as not producing significant harmful biological
effects
QUESTION: What is the annual occupational dose limit of radiation for adults? - ANSWER-Total
effective dose equivalent being equal to 5 rem (0.05Sv)
, Page 4 of 34
QUESTION: What is the annual occupational dose limit of radiation for minors? - ANSWER-10%
of the annual occupational dose limit specified for adults
QUESTION: What is radiation dose? - ANSWER-Measure of how much energy is absorbed when
something or someone is exposed to X-rays
QUESTION: What are the 2 commonly used ways of talking about radiation dose in dental
procedures? - ANSWER-1. Dose estimated at the patients skin surface (correctly known as
"entrance surface air kerma")
2. Effective dose
QUESTION: What is effective dose? - ANSWER-Dose estimated at the skin surface & is easier to
measure and is used in national surveys of x-ray equipment
QUESTION: How is radiation dose (dose) described? - ANSWER-Using the quantity effective
dose, expressed in millisievert (mSv)
