Certificate IV in Dental Assisting

This qualification provides the knowledge and skills necessary to provide an advanced level of chairside assistance to the operator, including contributing to the quality of dental care provided through well developed communication skills; providing an oral health education program that promotes good oral health as part of general good health; as well as implementing and monitoring infection control policy and procedures.

This qualification allows the dental assistant to select electives to address specific workplace needs in line with jurisdictional Dental Acts and Regulations.

This qualification is suited to Australian Apprenticeships pathways.


Subjects

PACKAGING RULES

7 units of competency are required for award of this qualification including:

3 core units

4 elective units

A wide range of electives is available and can be packaged to provide either:

a generic qualification that covers a range of dental assisting work functions, or

a targeted qualification as required for specific work roles

Elective units may be selected from:

Group A electives which are required for work in dental radiography and meet licensing requirements for this work

Group B electives which are recommended for work in oral health promotion

Group C electives which are recommended for work in general anaesthesia and conscious sedation

continued ...

PACKAGING RULES (contd)

Elective units may be selected from:

Group D electives which are recommended for dental assisting work with extended duties

Group E electives which are recommended for dental practice administration work

Group F electives which are recommended for culturally aware and respectful practice

Other relevant electives listed below

Units of competency to address workplace requirements and packaged at the level of this qualification or higher in Health and/or Community Services Training Packages

Where appropriate, to address workplace requirements, 1 unit of competency packaged at the level of this qualification or higher in other relevant Training Packages or accredited courses where the details of those courses are available on the NTIS or other public listing

Core units

add topic HLTAMBFC301C Communicate with clients and colleagues to support health care

add topic HLTIN403C Implement and monitor infection control policy and procedures
(Note pre-requ: HLTIN301C )

add topic HLTOHS300B Contribute to OHS processes

Relevant electives

Four (4) elective units must be selected in line with the specified Packaging Rules.

Group A electives identify specific units required for work in dental radiography.

Groups B, C, D and E specify electives recommended for work in the following areas:

Oral health promotion

General anaesthesia and conscious sedation

Extended duties

Practice administration

Electives for this qualification may be selected from these groups as well as from the electives listed below them and from other Training Packages, in line with the specified Packaging Rules.

Group A electives required for dental radiography

The following three (3) units of competency are requiredfor work in dental radiography:

add topic HLTDA410C Apply the principles of radiation biology and protection in dental practice (Note pre-requs: HLTIN301C , HLTIN302B , HLTOHS300B )

add topic HLTDA411C Prepare to expose a prescribed dental radiographic image
(Note pre-requs: HLTIN301C , HLTIN302B , HLTOHS300B )

add topic HLTDA412C Produce a dental radiographic image
(Note pre-requs: HLTIN301C , HLTIN302B , HLTOHS300B )

Where Group A electives required for dental radiography work are achieved, this is to be clearly articulated on the transcript (certification) as:

"This qualification includes Group A electives for Dental radiography work"

Group B electives recommended for work in oral health promotion

The following electives are recommended for work in oral health promotion:

add topic HLTDA407C Implement an individualised oral hygiene program
(Note pre-requs: HLTIN301C , HLTIN302B , HLTOHS300B )

add topic HLTDA413B Implement an oral hygiene program for older people
(Note pre-requs: HLTAMBFC301C , HLTDA407C )

add topic HLTDA414B Implement an oral health promotion program

Group C electives recommended for work in general anaesthesia and conscious sedation

The following electives are recommendedfor work in assisting with general anaesthesia and sedation:

add topic HLTDA408C Assist in oral health care procedures during general anaesthesia
(Note pre-requs: HLTIN301C , HLTIN302B , HLTOHS300B )

add topic HLTDA409C Assist in oral health care procedures during conscious sedation
(Note pre-requs: HLTIN301C , HLTIN302B , HLTOHS300B , HLTDA408C )

Group D electives recommended for dental assisting work with extended duties

The following electives are recommended for dental assisting work with extended duties:

add topic HLTDA415B Take an impression for study models
(Note pre-requs: HLTIN301C , HLTIN302B )

add topic HLTDA417B Take a clinical photograph
(Note pre-requs: HLTIN301C , HLTIN302B )

add topic HLTDT301C Construct models (Note pre-requs: HLTIN301C , HLTOHS200B )

add topic HLTDT302C Construct custom impression trays
(Note pre-requs: HLTIN301C , HLTOHS200B )

add topic HLTDT303C Construct registration rims
(Note pre-requs: HLTIN301C , HLTOHS200B )

Group E electives recommended for dental practice administration work

The following electives are recommended for dental practice administration work:

add topic BSBADM409A Coordinate business resources

add topic BSBFIA301A Maintain financial records

add topic BSBMED401B Manage patient record keeping system

add topic HLTCOM405C Administer a practice

add topic HLTHIR403C Work effectively with culturally diverse clients and co-workers

add topic HLTHIR404D Work effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people

The importance of culturally aware and respectful practice

All workers undertaking work in health need foundation knowledge to inform their work with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and co-workers and with clients and co-workers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. This foundation must be provided and assessed as part of a holistic approach to delivery and assessment of this qualification. Specific guidelines for assessment of this aspect of competency are provided in the Assessment Guidelines for the Health Training Package.

Group F electives recommended for culturally aware and respectful practice

Where work involves a specific focus on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and/or culturally diverse clients or communities, one or both of the following electives is recommended:

add topic HLTHIR403C Work effectively with culturally diverse clients and co-workers

add topic HLTHIR404D Work effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people

Other relevant electives

In addition to the core and elective units listed above, other elective units of competency are to be selected in line with the Packaging Rules. Workplaces may package electives to reflect the functions of workers. The following sample electives are suggested as appropriate for this qualification.

add topic BSBCMM401A Make a presentation

add topic CHCCS427A Facilitate adult learning and development

add topic CHCOHC401A Inform and encourage clients and groups to understand and achieve good oral health

add topic CHCOHC402A Support clients and groups to learn practical aspects of oral health care

add topic CHCOHC404A Recognise and respond to signs and symptoms that may indicate oral health issues

add topic CHCOHC406A Provide or assist with oral hygiene (Note pre-requ: HLTIN301C or CHCOHS312B )

add topic CHCOHC407A Apply and manage use of basic oral health products

add topic HLTDA407C Implement an individualised oral hygiene program
(Note pre-requs: HLTIN301C , HLTIN302B , HLTOHS300B )

add topic HLTDA413B Implement an oral hygiene program for older people
(Note pre-requs: HLTAMBFC301C , HLTDA407C )

add topic HLTDA414B Implement an oral health promotion program

add topic HLTDA415B Take an impression for study models
(Note pre-requs: HLTIN301C , HLTIN302B )

add topic HLTDA416B Allocate treatment appointments according to priority
(Note pre-requs: HLTAMBFC301C , HLTFA301C )

add topic HLTDT301C Construct models (Note pre-requs: HLTIN301C , HLTOHS200B )

add topic HLTDT302C Construct custom impression trays
(Note pre-requs: HLTIN301C , HLTOHS200B )

add topic HLTDT303C Construct registration rims
(Note pre-requs: HLTIN301C , HLTOHS200B )

add topic TAEDEL301A Provide work skill instruction


Pathways...

    Not Applicable


Entry Requirements

Entry requirements

To gain entry into this qualification, candidates must demonstrate competence through a recognised training program or recognition process, in all core units from the Certificate III in Dental Assisting (as listed below):

HLTDA303C Prepare for and assist with oral health care procedures (Note pre-requs: HLTIN301C , HLTIN302B , HLTOHS200B )

HLTDA304C Assist with dental radiography (Note pre-requs: HLTIN301C , HLTIN302B , HLTOHS200B )

HLTDA306C Assist with administration in dental practice (Note pre-requs: HLTIN301C , HLTIN302B , HLTDA303C , HLTOHS200B )

HLTFA301C Apply first aid

HLTHIR301B Communicate and work effectively in health

HLTIN301C Comply with infection control policies and procedures

HLTIN302B Process reusable instruments and equipment in health work (Note pre-requ: HLTIN301C )

HLTOHS200B Participate in OHS processes

Occupational title for this worker is:

Dental assistant


Licensing Information

Not Applicable


Employability Skills

Refer to the Topic: Introduction to the Employability Skills Qualification Summaries