The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this Unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this Unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this Unit. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:

assist the veterinarian and work as an effective team member during all procedures including periodontics, endodontics, restorative dentistry, oral surgery, prosthodontics, orthodontics and exotic animal dentistry

prepare the theatre, patients, personnel and all relevant materials and equipment for dental surgery

record accurately anaesthetic levels and dental nomenclature and details

clean, maintain and store dental instruments and equipment in accordance with manufacturers' specifications

communicate effectively with clients prior to surgery and post-operatively in respect to specific home-nursing requirements.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of this Unit is to be practical in nature and must be assessed in a clinic or hospital, a specialist veterinary dental clinic or hospital, or a referral veterinary dental clinic or hospital where registered veterinary dental specialists perform advanced veterinary dentistry.

There must be access to the appropriate dental equipment, resources and documentation to enable one to demonstrate competence.

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency of performance, competency should be demonstrated by providing veterinary dental nursing support for an extensive range of advanced veterinary dental surgery cases on a regular basis over a period of time.

The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this Unit are:

written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks

simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions

case study analysis

third-party evidence

workplace documentation

portfolio.

This Unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other Units of Competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).

Required skills

Ability to:

communicate effectively with owners and veterinarians providing advice

complete relevant work-related documentation

employ safe and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures when working with and handling animals

identify and carry out a range of maintenance routines on dental equipment and instruments

maintain the highest standards of hygiene and infection control at all times to reduce the risk of infection and cross-infection

monitor patient vital signs

observe accurately and report on animal condition and health

recognise, respond to and assist with emergencies

record dental nomenclature and details

use literacy skills to read, select and implement policies and procedures, including workplace health and safety, infection control and other clinic policies and procedures; coordinate patient admission and discharge; implement sequenced written and oral instructions; and record patient details accurately and legibly

use interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities

use oral communication skills/language required to fulfil the job role as specified by the clinic, including negotiating and questioning techniques, active listening, asking for clarification from veterinarian, and acknowledging and responding to a range of views

use numeracy skills to calculate pre-operative and postoperative medications

use problem-solving skills to use available resources and anticipate veterinarians' requirements

use safe manual handling techniques and/or equipment

use safe waste handling and disposal procedures

work closely with the supervising veterinarian and as part of a theatre team.

Required knowledge

Knowledge of:

animal anatomy and physiology

animal dental health

cleaning and hygiene procedures in dental surgery

dental procedures and requirements for periodontics, endodontics, restorative dentistry, oral surgery, prosthodontics, orthodontics and exotic animal dentistry

equipment sterilisation and calibration procedures and techniques

industry-standard gloving and gowning procedures

instrument sharpening techniques

principles of animal welfare and ethics

relevant state or territory legislation and regulations relating to the practice of veterinary science, workplace health and safety and animal welfare

relevant state or territory legislation covering the use of therapeutic and controlled substances

safe work practices

surgical dental procedures and terminology

prophylactic strategies used in dental care

veterinary dental instruments and equipment and their uses

workplace hygiene standards, disinfectants and sterilisation, cleaning agents, cleaning techniques and cleaning equipment and materials.

The range statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Patient dental history may include:

diagnostic test results

pathological test results

previous referrals.

Workplace health and safety risks when working with animals may include:

animal bites, kicks, scratches and crush injuries

biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal

handling of chemicals and medicines

gas leakage

inhalation of aerosol particles

intraocular contamination

manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting

needle pricks and cuts from other sharps

release of infective agents (animal and human)

slippery or uneven work surfaces

zoonoses.

Theatre furniture and equipment may include:

air-driven dental base, including high and low speed hand pieces

amalgamator saws, pumps and elevators

anaesthetic machine

chisels and curettes

curing lights

endodontic files

endotracheal tubes and cuffs

forceps

operating table

pharyngeal packs

radiograph displays

sterile dental packs

suction equipment

surgical instrument trays and trolleys

ultrasonic and sonic dental scalers.

Gloving and gowning may include:

personal hygiene and scrubbing

fitting of:

boots

gloves

goggles

gowns

masks.

Pre-operative medications may include:

analgesics

antibiotics.

Specific dental materials may include:

pins

plates

prothesis

restorative materials

screws

sutures

wire.

Scheduled procedures may include:

periodontics

endodontics

restorative dentistry

oral surgery

prosthodontics

orthodontics

exotic animal dentistry.

Maintenance routines for instruments and equipment may include:

calibration

cleaning

disassembly

drying

packing and oiling

reassembly

re-stocking

sharpening.

Specific home-nursing advice may include:

advice on dispensed medications

dietary requirements

continued prophylaxis at home

gum and dental hygiene

postoperative expectations

use of bones and toys.