PURPOSE: This study was conducted to suggest the development of a learning management system for dental radiology education using the Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment (Moodle). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Moodle is a well-known and verified open-source software-learning management system (OSS-LMS). The Moodle software was installed on a server computer and customized for dental radiology education. The system was implemented for teaching undergraduate students to diagnose dental caries in panoramic images. Questions were chosen that could assess students' diagnosis ability. Students were given several questions corre-sponding to each of 100 panoramic images. RESULTS: The installation and customization of Moodle was feasible, cost-effective, and time-saving. By having students answer questions repeatedly, it was possible to train them to examine panoramic images sequentially and thoroughly. CONCLUSION: Based on its educational efficiency and efficacy, the adaptation of an OSS-LMS in dental school may be highly recommended. The system could be extended to continuing education for dentists. Further studies on the objective evaluation of knowledge acquisition and retention are needed.
Computer-Assisted Instruction ; Dental Caries ; Dentists ; Diagnosis ; Education* ; Education, Continuing ; Education, Dental ; Humans ; Learning* ; Schools, Dental

PURPOSE: Panoramic radiographs taken using conventional chin-support devices have often presented problems with positioning accuracy and reproducibility. The aim of this report was to propose a new bite block for panoramic radiographs of anterior edentulous patients that better addresses these two issues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A new panoramic radiography bite block similar to the bite block for dentulous patients was developed to enable proper positioning stability for edentulous patients. The new bite block was designed and implemented in light of previous studies. The height of the new bite block was 18 mm and to compensate for the horizontal edentulous space, its horizontal width was 7 mm. The panoramic radiographs using the new bite block were compared with those using the conventional chin-support device. RESULTS: Panoramic radiographs taken with the new bite block showed better stability and bilateral symmetry than those taken with the conventional chin-support device. Patients also showed less movement and more stable positioning during panoramic radiography with the new bite block. CONCLUSION: Conventional errors in panoramic radiographs of edentulous patients could be caused by unreliability of the chin-support device. The newly proposed bite block for panoramic radiographs of edentulous patients showed better reliability. Further study is required to evaluate the image quality and reproducibility of images with the new bite block.
Humans ; Radiography, Panoramic ; Reproducibility of Results

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the panoramic imaging features of cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) with a relatively large sample. Materials and Methods: The panoramic radiographs of 40 CCD patients who visited Seoul National University Dental Hospital between 2004 and 2018 were analyzed. Imaging features were recorded based on the consensus of 2 radiologists according to the following criteria: the number of supernumerary teeth and impacted teeth; the shape of the ascending ramus, condyle, coronoid process, sigmoid notch, antegonial notch, and hard palate; the mandibular midline suture; and the gonial angle. Results: The mean number of supernumerary teeth and impacted teeth were 6.1 and 8.3, respectively, and the supernumerary teeth and impacted teeth were concentrated in the anterior and premolar regions. Ramus parallelism was dominant (32 patients, 80.0%) and 5 patients (12.5%) showed a mandibular midline suture. The majority of mandibular condyles showed a rounded shape (61.2%), and most coronoid processes were triangular (43.8%) or round (37.5%). The mean gonial angle measured on panoramic radiographs was 122.6°. Conclusion Panoramic radiographs were valuable for identifying the features of CCD and confirming the diagnosis. The presence of numerous supernumerary teeth and impacted teeth, especially in the anterior and premolar regions, and the characteristic shapes of the ramus, condyle, and coronoid process on panoramic radiographs may help to diagnose CCD.

PURPOSE: The current study investigates the feasibility of a platform for a nationwide dose monitoring system for dental radiography. The essential elements for an unerring system are also assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An intraoral radiographic machine with 14 X-ray generators and five sensors, 45 panoramic radiographic machines, and 23 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) models used in Korean dental clinics were surveyed to investigate the type of dose report. A main server for storing the dose data from each radiographic machine was prepared. The dose report transfer pathways from the radiographic machine to the main sever were constructed. An effective dose calculation method was created based on the machine specifications and the exposure parameters of three intraoral radiographic machines, five panoramic radiographic machines, and four CBCTs. A viewing system was developed for both dentists and patients to view the calculated effective dose. Each procedure and the main server were integrated into one system. RESULTS: The dose data from each type of radiographic machine was successfully transferred to the main server and converted into an effective dose. The effective dose stored in the main server is automatically connected to a viewing program for dentist and patient access. CONCLUSION: A patient radiation dose monitoring system is feasible for dental clinics. Future research in cooperation with clinicians, industry, and radiologists is needed to ensure format convertibility for an efficient dose monitoring system to monitor unexpected radiation dose.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Dental Clinics ; Dentists ; Humans ; Methods ; Radiation Dosage ; Radiation Monitoring ; Radiography ; Radiography, Dental*