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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Elements define the essential outcomes
  2. Apply the principles of radiation biology to protect patient, operator and others from ionising radiation
  3. Determine image characteristics of a dental radiographic image to minimise the necessity for re-takes
  4. Minimise radiation by maintaining quality in processing

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:

• applied safe work practices during preparation of 3 patients for dental radiographic imaging procedures.

• demonstrated quality assurance to the production of 3 radiographs to consistent diagnostic standard, and applied techniques to minimise technical inaccuracies and errors.


Knowledge Evidence

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

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

- codes of practice and safety guide:

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

- records management

- work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations

- work health and safety

• the production, properties and interactions of X-rays including:

- a basic knowledge of the interactions between atoms and X-rays

- the sequence of events that result in the production of X-rays

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

• biological effects and risks associated with X-rays including:

- units of radiation measurement

- immediate or acute effects

- long term or cumulative effects

• radiographic appearance of anatomic landmarks, normal dentition and associated bony structures

• reasons for processing and technique inaccuracies and methods to minimise errors