Required skills include

Ability to

analyse and solve problems using available information and resources including recording information and prioritising daily tasks

apply interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities

communicate effectively with others including questioning active listening asking for clarification and consulting with or seeking advice from other appropriate service providers

comply with animal welfare legislation animal care guidelines state and territory veterinary surgeons or practitioners legislation and regulations relevant equine dental association code of conduct equine dental service provider accreditation requirements and standards

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

follow industry referral protocols and procedures

follow sequenced written instructions record accurately and legibly information collected and select and apply procedures to a range of defined tasks

identify and rank equine dental conditions and diseases based on providers professional and personal scope and the need for referral to veterinarian or other appropriate service provider

in conjunction with veterinarian monitor horse vital signs for indicators of impact of sedatives during and after treatment of dental conditions subject to relevant stateterritory regulations

interpret and respond appropriately to horse behaviour

maintain the highest standards of hygiene and infection control at all times to reduce the risk of infection and crossinfection considering zoonotic and exotic disease possibilities biosecurity

numeracy skills to estimate calculate and record routine workplace elements

obtain evidence of periodontal disease occlusal surface malocclusions significant protruding teeth and any other pathology which may require referral

plan dental treatment with consideration to the horse and providing comfort based on providers professional and personal scope and the need for referral to veterinarian or other appropriate service provider

prepare and maintain equine dental records using appropriate terminology

read and follow required policies and procedures including OHS infection control and waste management

recognise equine oral conditions that may impact on speculum use and require referral

recognise any equine oral conditions that require referral and action referral

relate instruments and processes used in equine dentistry to dental conditions

use safe manual handling techniques andor equipment

use safe hygienic and environmentally friendly waste handling and disposal procedures

Required knowledge includes

Knowledge of

anatomy and physiology of the equine head and oral structures including features and functions of the equine mouth and teeth including normal and abnormal functions

appropriate industry and stateterritory equine dental codes of conduct and standards of practice

appropriate terminology used to describe

dental conditions treatment and oral features

findings in images and pathology tests

charting systems used to record equine dental information

clinical signs and effects of the categories of sedative drugs used in the horse

common equine dental conditions and diseases

contagious disease symptoms prophylaxis and biosecurity protocols

diagnostic tools used to investigate horse health and dental conditions

features of correctly formed healthy and wellmaintained equine dental and oral structures

horse ailments and injuries that may impact on dental health

horse behaviour and other symptoms that may indicate dental problems

indicators of horse distress illness and disease

parameters of treatment which may require referral to veterinarian or other appropriate service provider

postdental treatment monitoring and care

principles of animal welfare

protocols legal and ethical considerations when consulting with veterinarians and other appropriate service providers

relevant legislation regulations and codes of practice including OHS animal welfare and ethics veterinary practice restricted dental practices and waste disposal

relevant state or territory legislation covering the supply possession and use of restricted and controlled substances

techniques and instruments used to provide equine dental care

techniques used to restrain the horse for dental treatment

safe work practices

workplace hygiene standards biosecurity including disinfectants cleaning agents and techniques cleaning and appropriate disinfection or sterilisation of equipment materials and personal protective equipment PPE

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

obtain horse history evaluate and document current general condition and behaviour of horse

inspect incisors for evidence of major malocclusions which may impact on speculum use and require referral

comply with infection control and hygiene protocols and monitor for update alerts

fit a speculum and inspect the mouth and teeth for signs of healthy dental and oral status

identify and rank less complex dental conditions consistent with those which can be addressed by routine dental and oral procedures using industry recognised charts and records

discuss options for treatment with mentors veterinarian or other appropriate service providers

document findings using established record keeping and appropriate terminology

report inspection results and impact of findings to owner or carer

refer owner or carer to a veterinarian or other appropriate service provider if the case is beyond current professional and personal scope legal restriction or ethical responsibility of the dental service provider

document treatment plans including appropriate treatment procedures and equipment

explain treatment plan and post treatment care and monitoring requirements to the owner or carer

The skills and knowledge required to conduct equine oral inspection and assessment and plan equine dental treatment must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment for this Unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in a workplace where equine dentistry is provided or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions

There must be access to a range of horses and anatomical models and the appropriate equipment and resources to enable one to demonstrate competence

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency in performance competency should be demonstrated to established standards on more than four occasions over a period of time in order to cover a variety of individual cases circumstances and disciplines and over a number of assessment activities

The assessment strategy must include assessment of competency in a work environment Suggested strategies for this Unit are

written and oral assessment of candidates required knowledge

observed documented and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidates application of practical tasks

simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions

case studies

thirdparty 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 eg literacy and numeracy demands and the needs of particular target groups eg 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

Horse history information may include:

Features of head and neck anatomy may include:

The behaviour of the horse may include:

Safety considerations when working with horses include:

Conditions within the parameters of routine dental correction and oral procedures may include:

Referral procedures may include:

Persons to whom referrals may be made include:

Treatment options may include:

Other relevant considerations may include:

Significance of dental conditions may include:

Post treatment care may include: