Google Links

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. Obtain a complete patient history
   • Obtain accurate, complete and legal records of the patient’s personal, medical and dental history
   • Check accuracy of information with the patient or where appropriate with their carer or guardian
   • Verify information with appropriate practitioner, where required by relevant guidelines or legislation
3. Consult medical history of patient
   • Consult and use appropriate medical history in determining requirements for removable dental prosthetic treatment
   • Consult patient, carer or guardian about medical history to ensure it is accurate and current
4. Obtain and record patient data
   • Record relevant information legibly, accurately and completely
   • Assist patient, carer or guardian to complete data forms as required
   • Obtain and document consent following ethical and legal requirements
   • Obtain patient, carer or guardian’s signature to signify accuracy of the statement
   • Maintain patient confidentiality
5. Assess oral status for removable dental prosthetic procedures
   • Assess intra-oral status accurately in accordance with relevant guidelines and legislation
   • Modify examination procedures according to the specific needs of the patient
   • Where necessary, identify the need to refer patient for examination by a dentist
6. Develop a removable dental prosthetic treatment plan
   • Interpret and evaluate the results of removable dental prosthetic examination
   • Consider the patient’s medical, medication and dental history when developing a treatment plan
   • Make prosthetic assessment in accordance with organisation procedures
   • Consult dentist or doctor where appropriate and in accordance with legislative guidelines
   • Refer patient to dentist or doctor where appropriate
   • Observe centric and eccentric mandibular movements
7. Obtain patient, carer or guardian consent
   • Involve the patient, carer or guardian in discussions about their treatment using language that is understandable to them
   • Provide full details about removable dental prosthetic treatment and alternative options and the risks and benefits of the treatment
   • Allow sufficient time to discuss treatment options with patient, carer or guardian
   • Help patients understand the effects of treatment or no treatment, and to clarify their preferences
   • Ensure flexibility of patient services that consider the patient’s special needs
   • Obtain and document consent following ethical and legal requirements

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 completed the following tasks:

• performed the activities outlined in the performance criteria of this unit during a period of at least 240 hours of work in a clinical dental workplace environment

• followed procedures to ensure patient safety during examinations

• performed an intra-oral and an extra-oral examination on at least 4 patients

• communicated effectively, interactively, respectfully and reflectively with patients in a manner that takes into account factors such as their age, intellectual development and social and cultural background

• explained the treatment plan and the limitations of treatment for 4 patients using language that is easily understood by the patient

• maintained legible and accurate maintenance records for 4 different patients.

---

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 the task and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:

• Australian/New Zealand Standards, workplace health and safety (WHS) policies, current Dental Board of Australia infection control guidelines, Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation requirements, and organisation policies and procedures relating to dental laboratory work

• relevance of medical conditions and medications that can impact on oral health or make the provision of dental treatment unsafe national and State/Territory legal and ethical requirements and considerations for dental assisting work including:

­ codes of practice

­ discrimination

­ duty of care

- informed consent and statutory requirements of consent

­ privacy, confidentiality and disclosure

­ records management

­ work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations

­ work health and safety

• oral pathology, including:

- benign lesions of bone

- dental caries and periodontal disease

- infectious diseases including bacterial, fungal and viral infections

- inflammation

- oral cancer

- pathology of dental caries and periodontal disease

- physical injuries to soft tissue including burns and ulceration

- reactive connective tissue including hyperplasia

- regeneration and repair

- signs and symptoms of infectious diseases that affect the oral cavity including oral fungal and bacterial infections

- the causes of dental caries and periodontal disease

- the role of bacteria, diet and dental plaque

• considerations when using dental and medical records and charts including:

- confidentiality of patient records

- notation systems and charting symbols for tooth surfaces, cavities and other dental problems in accordance with codes and guidelines

- items that constitute a dental record

- knowledge of correct dental terminology and how it is used in dental charting

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

- the reasons for taking radiographs and photograph

• components of intra-oral and extra-oral examination

• 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

• normal variance of structure and function of dental prosthetic devices

• procedures and rationale for referral

• specific considerations when dealing with patients who are elderly or aged, including:

- fundamental knowledge of systemic disease including angina, congestive heart failure, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, arthritis, nutritional deficiencies

- fundamental knowledge of the relationship between nutrition and the efficiency of the dentition

- psychological changes

- xerostomia produced by certain medications and its adverse effects on denture retention and comfort

• cultural issues which may affect dental examinations and treatment.

---