Required skills

Ability to

observe accurately and report concisely on animal condition and health

provide advice to owners

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

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 the owner and acknowledging and responding to a range of views

use numeracy skills required to complete charts calculate dosages and monitor anaesthesia

use problemsolving skills to use available resources and prioritise tasks

use recognised dental encoded system eg modified triadan number system and symbols

work closely with the supervising surgeon and as part of a team

Required knowledge

Knowledge of

anatomy of oral cavity including teeth bone gums and related basic embryology

AVA Dental Policy and Guidelines

good knowledge and understanding of homecare advice to reduce dental and gingival disease including dietary recommendations appropriate oralcare products and procedures available and the principles and practice of daily brushing

instruments and equipment required to perform a dental prophylaxis under general anaesthetic

instruments and equipment required for simple teeth extractions

maintenance of serviceability of instruments and equipment where required in sharp andor lubricated condition

workplace health and safety and animal welfare legislative requirements and codes of practice

personal protective equipment required

techniques for performing dental prophylaxis and assisting with simple extractions

workplace hygiene standards disinfectants cleaning agents cleaning techniques and cleaning equipment and materials packing and autoclave surgical and dental equipment

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 competency 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

implement clinic policies and procedures including workplace health and safety

handle and restrain a range of patients animals

communicate effectively with the veterinarian and clients

observe record and report on animals condition and health

perform extra and intraoral examinations on conscious and anaesthetised patients

carry out techniques for dental prophylaxis ie examining charting scaling cleaning and polishing and assisting with simple extractions

complete postoperative patient management programs in accordance with veterinarians instructions

The skills and knowledge required to carry out veterinary dental nursing procedures 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 veterinary practice with access to the appropriate equipment andor resources to enable one to demonstrate competence

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency of performance competency should be demonstrated to industry defined standards on more than two occasions over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances patients cases and responsibilities and over a number of assessment activities

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

written andor 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

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

Workplace health and safety risks associated with veterinary nursing practice include:

Findings that may be observed during examinations may include:

Encoded system is used to:

Dental prophylaxis involves:

Personal protective equipment may include:

Cleaning and polishing involves:

Equipment used for cleaning and polishing may include:

Simple extraction refers to:

Techniques and equipment used for simple extractions include:

Post-operative patient management programs may include: