Contact the American Dental Association for dental radiography information or look for data available on its website (see Resources). For example, the ADA website describes the importance of dental X-ray examinations and explains how X-rays work and how often they should be taken. The ADA also compares the radiation from dental X-rays to that of other radiation sources and covers the topic of pregnancy and dental radiation.
Look for free online courses or information available at websites such as Free-Ed.net or Colgate.com (see Resources). FreeEd.net/SweetHaven Publishing Services offers several lessons on dental radiography topics such as radiation hazards and protective measures used in the exposure of dental radiographs. Other free lessons cover the harmful effects of overexposure to radiation. Still other lessons, designed for dental team members who take oral radiographs, teach how to expose, process and mount radiographs and how to use exposure techniques such as the short-cone and long-cone techniques.
Find dental auxiliary textbooks such as those used in dental hygiene or dental assisting training programs. These books, including "Torres and Ehrlich Modern Dental Assisting" by Doni Bird and Debbie Robinson, include some information on dental radiography. This book offers foundational knowledge on radiographic equipment, dental film use and legal issues in dental radiography.
Look for textbooks that focus exclusively on dental radiography, such as "Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques" by Joen Iannucci and Laura Howerton or "Radiographic Imaging for Dental Auxiliaries" by Dale Miles and several other authors. These books provide a very thorough examination of the dental radiography field and test learners' knowledge of skills such as interpreting radiographs.
Talk to a member of your state dental association or to your dentist, who should be willing to answer questions you have on dental X-rays. He also might be able to supply brochures that provide helpful facts about dental radiography.