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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Elements define the essential outcomes
2. Interpret the request for the prescribed dental radiographic image
   • Interpret the request accurately using appropriate dental terminology
   • Assess the request for sufficient information to produce the radiographic image and obtain additional information when insufficient
   • Select and use appropriate exposure variables in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions and patient requirements
3. Refer to previous dental radiographic imaging
   • Review previous dental radiographic images for technical quality
   • Clarify technical quality of previous radiographic images using additional information or advice from dental practitioner
4. Assess and determine the procedure prior to exposing a dental radiographic image
   • Determine the patient’s ability to comply with instructions
   • Review modifications to the standard procedure with the operator prior to implementation
   • Obtain additional information and advice from the dental practitioner before proceeding with the procedure
   • Explain the procedure and necessary requirements clearly to the patient before commencement
   • Prepare patient prior to producing a dental radiographic image
   • Confirm patient identity and match to the request
   • Obtain consent from the patient or carer
5. Select and prepare dental radiographic imaging equipment and accessories appropriate to the procedure
   • Select appropriate dental radiographic imaging equipment for the procedure and identify patient requirements
   • Select and use correctly appropriate accessories for dental radiographic imaging
   • Select appropriate technical variables of the dental radiographic imaging equipment

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:

• correctly interpreted 3 different dental radiographic requests and prepared for procedure including:

- checking patient’s identify and consent

- selecting a range of radiographic imaging equipment using appropriate technical variables for the requested radiographic procedure

- using procedures to minimise the risk of radiation to the patient, the operator and others.

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete the tasks 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:

• features, characteristics and movements of a range of dental radiographic equipment associated with intraoral and extraoral units

• 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 guidelines on infection control

- privacy, confidentiality and disclosure

- radiation user licence

- records management

- work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations

- work health and safety

• radiographic appearance of anatomic landmarks, normal dentition and associated bony structures for dental radiograph images

• radiographic appearance of dental anomalies and common oral pathological conditions

• range of dental radiographic imaging techniques and the reasons for selection of each technique

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

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