Elements and Performance Criteria
- Elements define the essential outcomes
- Performance criteria specify the level of performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element
- Prepare for and participate in basic routine oral health screening services
- Explain screening procedure and rationale to patient/s, check understanding and obtain consent from patient and/or carer to conduct screening
- Prepare screening materials, instruments and tools
- Take into account patient’s ability to self-report and select most suitable tools and approach
- Comply with directions of screening tool instructions, guidelines and/or training approved by the oral health sector
- Use screening tool to question patients about their oral health and take into account specific individual issues
- Demonstrate an understanding of existing health conditions and impacts on oral health
- Follow screening tool questioning, observation and recording requirements
- Record and document observations about patient’s oral health in appropriate format according to tool and organisation guidelines
- Consult with other health personnel where necessary to confirm or clarify screening results, and record processes and outcomes
- Interpret findings based on screening results and report results to health practitioner or oral health team
- Document reporting processes, use information from patient and/or carer and own observations
- Review screening process and referral outcomes
- Address identified needs for oral health education and/or assessment in consultation with others and refer where necessary
- Where appropriate, discuss with patients and other relevant stakeholders any issues or obstacles relating to referrals made
- Where screening was unsuccessful report and follow up appropriately
- Clarify screening effectiveness by obtaining feedback from patients and other relevant stakeholders and identify any issues in own use of screening tool/s