Assessor Resource

HLTDEN002
Assist with dental radiography

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required for a dental assistant to prepare patients for dental radiography. It also describes the skills and knowledge to process and mount conventional dental radiographs.

This unit applies to dental assisting work.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand Standards and industry codes of practice.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements define the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare for dental radiography

1.1 Position the patient comfortably

1.2 Reassure the patient and explain the procedure in language that is easily understood

1.3 Ask the patient to remove items that may interfere with the radiographic examination, and offer appropriate explanation

1.4 Ensure patient, other members of the dental team and the public are protected from ionising radiations

1.5 Assist the operator in the implementation of safe work practices to minimise radiation risks to workers and to patients during procedure

1.6 Select and prepare the correct radiographic film or image receptors and relevant holders for the radiographic examination, and make it available to the operator

2. Prepare equipment and materials for dental radiography

2.1 Maintain clean and dry working surfaces

2.2 Clean and maintain processing equipment in good working order

2.3 Maintain processing solutions at the correct strength and temperature

2.4 Record accurately the date of preparation of solutions

2.5 Arrange for servicing of instruments and equipment in line with manufacturers’ instructions and Radiation Health Committee national policies, codes and standards

2.6 File equipment service records in a location within the surgery that can be readily accessed

2.7 Prepare program to receive image, correctly orientate and label radiograph and enter patient data

3. Process and mount dental radiographs

3.1 Protect processing facility and equipment against accidental intrusion of light

3.2 Wear personal protective equipment

3.3 Handle radiographic film packages or image receptors carefully so that their quality is maintained

3.4 Carry out processing stages in the correct sequence and for the appropriate duration in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications

3.5 Identify common faults caused by incorrect processing and notify operator if these occur

3.6 Rectify processing faults in accordance with operator’s instructions

3.7 Notify the operator of any processing faults that cannot be rectified prior to further radiographs being processed

3.8 Label, date and file the radiograph mounting accurately and legibly

3.9 Mount and secure radiographs in correct anatomical position for viewing

4. Maintain stock of unexposed radiographic film and chemicals

4.1 Store radiographic film, image receptors and chemicals in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications

4.2 Maintain sufficient stock

4.3 Rotate film stock so that film is used before its expiry date

5. Assure the quality of dental radiographic processing

5.1 Participate effectively in radiographic quality assurance programs

5.2 Monitor processing solutions for deterioration

5.3 Notify the operator when radiographs do not meet the quality criteria of the reference radiograph produced under optimum conditions

5.4 Collect and record all unacceptable radiographs that do not meet diagnostic standards due to processing error, and identify how processing can be improved

5.5 Dispose of waste chemicals safely in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications and legislative requirements

5.6 Maintain and clean the imaging plate scanner according to organisation procedures

The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:

• prepared at least 3 patients for dental radiographic imaging procedures

• consistently applied safe work practices for dental radiography work including:

- using protective equipment to minimise the risk of ionising radiations to self and patient

- correctly handling, storing and disposing of radiographic films and processing solutions receptors

• correctly processed, mounted and filed radiographic films and digital images on at least 3 occasions, including:

- applying the correct processing procedure

- implementing remedies for common processing faults

- recognising common processing errors

- handling digital receptors carefully

- attaching accurate, legible and complete records

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This include knowledge of:

• national and State/Territory legal and ethical requirements and considerations for dental assisting work and how these are applied in organisations and in individual practice including:

- codes of practice and safety guides:

o radiation protection in dentistry

o safe use of radiation

- duty of care

- informed consent and statutory requirements of consent

- practice standards – Dental Board of Australia guidelines on infection control

- privacy, confidentiality and disclosure

- radiation user licence

- rights and responsibilities of workers, employers and patients

- work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations

- work health and safety

• equipment and materials used for dental radiography and the correct procedures for use including:

- equipment for automatic processing

- equipment for manual processing

- equipment for digital radiography

- reasons for rotating film stock and using film before its expiry date

- reasons for storing films away from ionising radiation

- safe methods of storage and disposal of processing solutions

- the nature and purpose of processing solutions

• production and biological effects of ionising radiation:

- biological risks associated with X-rays

- hazards associated with X-rays including the mechanisms by which X-rays cause damage to human tissues

- nature and uses of X-rays

- production of X-rays

• process for mounting films including:

- fundamental knowledge of dental anatomy

- methods of mounting radiographs

• process for processing films including:

- procedures required for automatic film processing

- procedures required for manual film processing

- processing solutions and appropriate methods for their handling, preparation, replenishment, storage and safe disposal

- reasons for light-tightness and use of safelights

- requirements for clean working space and adequate ventilation

- the automatic processing cycle

- the stages of the manual processing cycle

- procedures required for digitally transferring images

• quality assurance of processing including:

- criteria for determining whether a radiograph is of an acceptable quality

- causes of common processing errors and the remedy for correction

• code of practice for radiation protection in dentistry including:

- methods for monitoring the adequacy of radiation protection

- procedures for minimising radiation risks to patients, self, the oral healthcare team and the public

- the organisation’s quality assurance policy for processing radiographs to consistent diagnostic quality

- the purpose of quality assuring dental radiographs and its relationship to radiation protection

• role of radiographs in dentistry including:

- benefits and risks of dental radiography

- digital radiography, what it is, how it is used and its advantages and disadvantages over conventional film-based radiography

- extraoral films and applications

- intraoral film sizes and applications

- use of radiographs in diagnosing and monitoring dental disease.

Skills must have been demonstrated in the dental clinic workplace with the addition of simulations and scenarios where the full range of contexts and situations cannot be provided in the workplace. The following conditions must be met for this unit:

• use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources including:

- barrier protection equipment and/or materials

- dental chair and unit

- radiographic machine

- operator and assistant protective equipment

- radiographs and/or sensors

- waste disposal equipment suitable for radiographic solutions and films

- Dental Board of Australia guidelines on infection control on which the candidate bases the planning process

• modelling of industry operating conditions including access to real people for simulations and scenarios in dental assisting work.

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

In addition, assessors must hold a minimum of 5 years clinical experience in dental assisting work.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements define the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare for dental radiography

1.1 Position the patient comfortably

1.2 Reassure the patient and explain the procedure in language that is easily understood

1.3 Ask the patient to remove items that may interfere with the radiographic examination, and offer appropriate explanation

1.4 Ensure patient, other members of the dental team and the public are protected from ionising radiations

1.5 Assist the operator in the implementation of safe work practices to minimise radiation risks to workers and to patients during procedure

1.6 Select and prepare the correct radiographic film or image receptors and relevant holders for the radiographic examination, and make it available to the operator

2. Prepare equipment and materials for dental radiography

2.1 Maintain clean and dry working surfaces

2.2 Clean and maintain processing equipment in good working order

2.3 Maintain processing solutions at the correct strength and temperature

2.4 Record accurately the date of preparation of solutions

2.5 Arrange for servicing of instruments and equipment in line with manufacturers’ instructions and Radiation Health Committee national policies, codes and standards

2.6 File equipment service records in a location within the surgery that can be readily accessed

2.7 Prepare program to receive image, correctly orientate and label radiograph and enter patient data

3. Process and mount dental radiographs

3.1 Protect processing facility and equipment against accidental intrusion of light

3.2 Wear personal protective equipment

3.3 Handle radiographic film packages or image receptors carefully so that their quality is maintained

3.4 Carry out processing stages in the correct sequence and for the appropriate duration in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications

3.5 Identify common faults caused by incorrect processing and notify operator if these occur

3.6 Rectify processing faults in accordance with operator’s instructions

3.7 Notify the operator of any processing faults that cannot be rectified prior to further radiographs being processed

3.8 Label, date and file the radiograph mounting accurately and legibly

3.9 Mount and secure radiographs in correct anatomical position for viewing

4. Maintain stock of unexposed radiographic film and chemicals

4.1 Store radiographic film, image receptors and chemicals in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications

4.2 Maintain sufficient stock

4.3 Rotate film stock so that film is used before its expiry date

5. Assure the quality of dental radiographic processing

5.1 Participate effectively in radiographic quality assurance programs

5.2 Monitor processing solutions for deterioration

5.3 Notify the operator when radiographs do not meet the quality criteria of the reference radiograph produced under optimum conditions

5.4 Collect and record all unacceptable radiographs that do not meet diagnostic standards due to processing error, and identify how processing can be improved

5.5 Dispose of waste chemicals safely in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications and legislative requirements

5.6 Maintain and clean the imaging plate scanner according to organisation procedures

The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:

• prepared at least 3 patients for dental radiographic imaging procedures

• consistently applied safe work practices for dental radiography work including:

- using protective equipment to minimise the risk of ionising radiations to self and patient

- correctly handling, storing and disposing of radiographic films and processing solutions receptors

• correctly processed, mounted and filed radiographic films and digital images on at least 3 occasions, including:

- applying the correct processing procedure

- implementing remedies for common processing faults

- recognising common processing errors

- handling digital receptors carefully

- attaching accurate, legible and complete records

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This include knowledge of:

• national and State/Territory legal and ethical requirements and considerations for dental assisting work and how these are applied in organisations and in individual practice including:

- codes of practice and safety guides:

o radiation protection in dentistry

o safe use of radiation

- duty of care

- informed consent and statutory requirements of consent

- practice standards – Dental Board of Australia guidelines on infection control

- privacy, confidentiality and disclosure

- radiation user licence

- rights and responsibilities of workers, employers and patients

- work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations

- work health and safety

• equipment and materials used for dental radiography and the correct procedures for use including:

- equipment for automatic processing

- equipment for manual processing

- equipment for digital radiography

- reasons for rotating film stock and using film before its expiry date

- reasons for storing films away from ionising radiation

- safe methods of storage and disposal of processing solutions

- the nature and purpose of processing solutions

• production and biological effects of ionising radiation:

- biological risks associated with X-rays

- hazards associated with X-rays including the mechanisms by which X-rays cause damage to human tissues

- nature and uses of X-rays

- production of X-rays

• process for mounting films including:

- fundamental knowledge of dental anatomy

- methods of mounting radiographs

• process for processing films including:

- procedures required for automatic film processing

- procedures required for manual film processing

- processing solutions and appropriate methods for their handling, preparation, replenishment, storage and safe disposal

- reasons for light-tightness and use of safelights

- requirements for clean working space and adequate ventilation

- the automatic processing cycle

- the stages of the manual processing cycle

- procedures required for digitally transferring images

• quality assurance of processing including:

- criteria for determining whether a radiograph is of an acceptable quality

- causes of common processing errors and the remedy for correction

• code of practice for radiation protection in dentistry including:

- methods for monitoring the adequacy of radiation protection

- procedures for minimising radiation risks to patients, self, the oral healthcare team and the public

- the organisation’s quality assurance policy for processing radiographs to consistent diagnostic quality

- the purpose of quality assuring dental radiographs and its relationship to radiation protection

• role of radiographs in dentistry including:

- benefits and risks of dental radiography

- digital radiography, what it is, how it is used and its advantages and disadvantages over conventional film-based radiography

- extraoral films and applications

- intraoral film sizes and applications

- use of radiographs in diagnosing and monitoring dental disease.

Skills must have been demonstrated in the dental clinic workplace with the addition of simulations and scenarios where the full range of contexts and situations cannot be provided in the workplace. The following conditions must be met for this unit:

• use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources including:

- barrier protection equipment and/or materials

- dental chair and unit

- radiographic machine

- operator and assistant protective equipment

- radiographs and/or sensors

- waste disposal equipment suitable for radiographic solutions and films

- Dental Board of Australia guidelines on infection control on which the candidate bases the planning process

• modelling of industry operating conditions including access to real people for simulations and scenarios in dental assisting work.

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

In addition, assessors must hold a minimum of 5 years clinical experience in dental assisting work.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
 
Position the patient comfortably 
Reassure the patient and explain the procedure in language that is easily understood 
Ask the patient to remove items that may interfere with the radiographic examination, and offer appropriate explanation 
Ensure patient, other members of the dental team and the public are protected from ionising radiations 
Assist the operator in the implementation of safe work practices to minimise radiation risks to workers and to patients during procedure 
Select and prepare the correct radiographic film or image receptors and relevant holders for the radiographic examination, and make it available to the operator 
Maintain clean and dry working surfaces 
Clean and maintain processing equipment in good working order 
Maintain processing solutions at the correct strength and temperature 
Record accurately the date of preparation of solutions 
Arrange for servicing of instruments and equipment in line with manufacturers’ instructions and Radiation Health Committee national policies, codes and standards 
File equipment service records in a location within the surgery that can be readily accessed 
Prepare program to receive image, correctly orientate and label radiograph and enter patient data 
Protect processing facility and equipment against accidental intrusion of light 
Wear personal protective equipment 
Handle radiographic film packages or image receptors carefully so that their quality is maintained 
Carry out processing stages in the correct sequence and for the appropriate duration in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications 
Identify common faults caused by incorrect processing and notify operator if these occur 
Rectify processing faults in accordance with operator’s instructions 
Notify the operator of any processing faults that cannot be rectified prior to further radiographs being processed 
Label, date and file the radiograph mounting accurately and legibly 
Mount and secure radiographs in correct anatomical position for viewing 
Store radiographic film, image receptors and chemicals in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications 
Maintain sufficient stock 
Rotate film stock so that film is used before its expiry date 
Participate effectively in radiographic quality assurance programs 
Monitor processing solutions for deterioration 
Notify the operator when radiographs do not meet the quality criteria of the reference radiograph produced under optimum conditions 
Collect and record all unacceptable radiographs that do not meet diagnostic standards due to processing error, and identify how processing can be improved 
Dispose of waste chemicals safely in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications and legislative requirements 
Maintain and clean the imaging plate scanner according to organisation procedures 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

HLTDEN002 - Assist with dental radiography
Assessment task 1: [title]

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I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

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Assessment Record Sheet

HLTDEN002 - Assist with dental radiography

Student name:

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Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

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