Radiology Certificate for Dental Assistants: An 80-hour Training Program - August-October 2026

Are you a dental assistant looking to expand your skills and advance your career? This comprehensive course is designed specifically for you.

You’ll gain the essential knowledge and practical skills needed to confidently produce high-quality diagnostic intraoral, panoramic, and CBCT images. This program is fully compliant with the 2022 Minnesota administrative rules, which now allow unlicensed dental assistants to perform radiology services under a limited radiology registration.

This course is a blend of flexible and hands-on learning, featuring:

  • 50 hours of self-paced didactic learning and regular assignments to ensure timely progress in the studies
  • 15 hours of on-campus clinical training at the prestigious University of Minnesota School of Dentistry
  • An additional 15 hours of self-paced assignments to be completed after your on-campus weekend

Join us and take the next step in your professional development! We look forward to helping you achieve your goals.

Course Audience:

Register for Upcoming Sessions

August 4, 2026 7:00 pm - October 25, 2026 5:00 pm

All times for all events are in local Central Time.


Zoom Meetings: August 4 and September 15, 2026
On-campus Weekend: October 24-25, 2026

Self-paced study via online presentations and videos
On-campus training sessions
Self-paced assignments

Course Number: CF5936

Enrollment is limited to 30

Tabs

Description

The 80-hour course includes:

  • 50 hours of course content viewed from your home or office.
  • 15 hours on the University of Minnesota campus.
  • 15 hours of self-paced assignments completed from your home or office.

50 Hour Didactic Component

50 hours of the course content will be delivered via online pre-recorded lectures available in our Google drive and via live presentations held over Zoom.

Learn How To
  • Discuss the Basics of Radiology
  • Analyze the Physics of Radiology
  • Consider the elements of an X-ray Machine
  • Explain Image Receptors
  • Describe the Fundamentals of Radiographic Image Formation
  • Analyze Image Characteristic and Manipulation
  • Identify Imaging Techniques
  • Summarize Radiation Biology
  • Explain Radiation Protection
  • Consider Radiation Regulation
  • Apply Infection Control Standards
  • Reference Radiographic Anatomy
  • Discuss Radiographic Interpretation

30 Hour Clinical Component

15 hours on the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry campus
15 hours of assignments completed following the on-campus session

  • The clinical component will aid you in obtaining and evaluating intraoral radiographs, the ideal positioning of patients in panoramic and CBCT units, and quality assurance of panoramic radiography. The course also includes basic interpretation of full mouth intraoral and panoramic radiographs.
  • 15 hours of the course content will be delivered in person at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry
  • 15 additional hours of self-study assignments will be completed following the on-campus session
     
Learn How To
  • Acquire Intraoral Radiographs
  • Acquire Panoramic Radiographs
  • Acquire CBCT Images
  • Conduct Quality Analysis
  • Interpret Images

Training Methods

Lecture, discussion, demonstration, simulation, clinical practice, self-paced assignments


Important Details

According to our Course Director, Dr. Mansur Ahmad, there is no contraindication for radiography when the operator is pregnant. Radiography rooms at the School of Dentistry provide a safe environment and protect the operators.

The Minnesota Board of Dentistry has additional requirements for the Limited Radiology Registration: