Core

Seminar 1

Speaker

Dr Andy Yeung

Topic

Small but Not Zero: Practical Radiation Protection in Dental Radiography

Abstract

Dental radiography is essential, but radiation risk can often be misunderstood, leading to both fear and inappropriate use of imaging. This lecture revisits why risk is small but not zero, exploring the linear no-threshold (LNT) model and the evolution from ALARA to ALADA and ALADAIP. It will review the 2023 AAOMR recommendations on patient shielding, including why routine gonadal, fetal, and thyroid shielding is no longer recommended for intraoral, panoramic, cephalometric, and CBCT imaging. Examples of misinformation from online videos on dental X-ray safety will be discussed, with emphasis on accurate, balanced risk communication in general dental practice.

Biography

Dr Andy Yeung is a Tutor in Radiography at the Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong. He has been involved in undergraduate teaching for over 10 years, supporting students in understanding the practical use of dental imaging in everyday clinical situations. While not a specialist in dentomaxillofacial radiology, he has developed a sustained interest in radiation safety and appropriate use of dental radiographs through his teaching experience. He aims to share practical perspectives that help general dentists make imaging decisions in daily practice.

Seminar 2

Speaker

Professor Mihai Tarce

Topic

Dental Photography: Principles, Equipment, and Case Documentation

Abstract

Clinical photography is central to case documentation and to clear communication with patients and the dental laboratory. This lecture starts with the basic concepts behind photography—light, exposure, colour, focus, and standardised intraoral views—so that images are consistent and comparable over time. It then reviews the equipment needed in practice and the features that actually matter: camera or smartphone, macro capability, flash and lighting, polarisation, and accessories for repeatable framing. The workflow after capture is covered next: storage, modest post-processing, and backup, so records remain usable and recoverable. The session closes with information regarding Hong Kong’s Data Privacy Ordinance: identifiable clinical images are personal data, and consent, purpose, and security apply when photographs are stored, shared, or used beyond treatment.

Biography

Professor Tarce is a dentist and software engineer. He completed his specialty training in Periodontology and Implant Dentistry, as well as his PhD, at KU Leuven in Belgium, where he is currently a visiting professor. He is an ITI Fellow and has received the ITI Scholarship at Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom. At the University of Hong Kong, he is the undergraduate programme director for Periodontology and Implant Dentistry, and his research interests are in the fields of digital dentistry, disease prevention, and technology-enhanced learning.