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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Elements define the essential outcomes
  2. Prepare the dental surgery for oral health care procedures
  3. Use dental terminology in communication within the health care setting
  4. Record personal, medical and dental details
  5. Select and prepare syringe safely for local anaesthesia
  6. Assist the operator during oral health care procedures
  7. Maintain and store instruments, equipment materials and medicaments

Performance Evidence

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:

• performed the activities outlined in the performance criteria of this unit during a minimum period of 50 hours of dental assisting work in a simulated environment using scenarios based on general and specialised dentistry including endodontics and oral surgery

• performed the activities outlined in the performance criteria of this unit during a minimum period of 250 hours of dental assisting work in a dental clinic workplace

• prepared at least 3 patients in the dental clinic workplace for oral health care procedures at the chair-side including:

- applying standard precautions

- ensuring instruments used for invasive procedures are sterile at time of use

- protecting materials, equipment and instruments from contamination until required for use

• provided chair-side support to the operator in the dental clinic workplace on at least 3 occasions during oral health care procedures for general dentistry and specialised dentistry including:

- selecting and preparing instruments, equipment and materials as directed by the operator

- dispensing and preparing materials and medicaments according to manufacturers’ specifications and operator’s request

• stored materials and medicaments in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications and operator’s requirements in the workplace.


Knowledge Evidence

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 includes knowledge of:

• dental practice and organisation policy and procedures

• dental and medical records and charts including:

- confidentiality of patient records

- items that constitute a dental record

- correct dental terminology and how it is used in hand written dental charting and computer software charting programs

- the purpose and requirements for maintaining accurate records of examination, treatments, materials used and drugs and medicaments prescribed

- the purpose of study casts and the materials used in their construction

- the reasons for taking radiographs and photograph

• fundamental oral anatomy and physiology including:

- deciduous and permanent dentition and dates of eruption

- structure and functions of teeth and the periodontal tissues

- structures of the oral cavity including salivary glands and saliva

- tooth identification

• fundamental oral pathology including:

- pathology of dental caries and periodontal disease

- the main causes of dental caries and periodontal disease

- the role of bacteria, diet and dental plaque

• fields of dentistry required to assist the operator to carry out procedures for the full range of general oral health care procedures

• normal growth and development of children and the promotion and maintenance of oral health and requirements of children with special needs

• effects of ageing upon the oral tissues and the special needs of elderly dental patients

• dental materials, their properties and correct storage

• fundamental dental pharmacology and anaesthesia including:

- local anaesthetic techniques

- local anaesthetic equipment and drugs

- complications which may arise from the administration of local anaesthesia

• retracting soft tissues and moisture control:

- methods of retracting and protecting soft tissue

- methods for providing a clear field of vision

- methods for controlling moisture

• reasons why patients need to follow pre- and post-operative instructions, and the importance of this

• contributing factors to medical and dental emergencies that can occur, and the appropriate response

• aseptic techniques used in oral health care procedures

• additional precautions of maintaining clean surfaces and managing blood and body fluid spills.