Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to assist the dentist or dental specialist in carrying out oral health care procedures on patients under general anaesthesia.
This unit applies to dental assisting work.
The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand Standards and industry codes of practice.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements define the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Prepare patient for oral health care procedures under general anaesthesia | 1.1 Confirm and document arrangements for an escort for patient following the procedure 1.2 Provide an appropriate environment for patient or carer to ask questions 1.3 Make accessible in the clean zone of the surgery the patient’s necessary charts and records 1.4 Maintain confidentiality of patient information in accordance with organisation policy and procedures |
2. Prepare for oral health care procedures under general anaesthesia | 2.1 Perform surgical hand wash and use aseptic technique in applying personal protective equipment in preparation for procedures under general anaesthesia 2.2 Prepare the equipment, instruments materials and medicaments for the planned procedure 2.3 Ensure instruments for oral health care procedure are ready and usable at the suite or theatre 2.4 Follow suite or theatre organisation policy and procedures 2.5 Select and transfer safely and aseptically the correct dental instruments, equipment, materials and medicaments |
3. Assist patient’s discharge after undergoing oral health care procedures under general anaesthesia | 3.1 Follow organisation policy and procedures while assisting in the provision of post-operative oral health care procedures 3.2 Ensure post-operative written instructions are communicated and provided by authorised person to patient or carer or escort 3.3 Assist in the authorised discharge of patient to the carer or escort |
Evidence of Performance
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:
• prepared equipment and assisted the operator with oral health care procedures for 3 different patients under general anaesthesia, including:
- assisting in aseptically handling and correctly positioning the equipment during the procedure
- following procedures to ensure patient safety during general anaesthesia
- correctly maintained and stored instruments, equipment, materials and medicaments
• supported the dental team in the discharge care of 1 patient recovering from an oral care procedure following general anaesthesia.
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks 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 including:
 codes of practice
 discrimination
 duty of care
 informed consent and statutory requirements of consent
 practice standards – Dental Board of Australia guidelines on infection control
 privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
 records management
 work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations
 work health and safety
• practitioners who are authorised to administer general anaesthesia to a patient, and the assessment process required before oral health procedure is carried out
• levels of consciousness
• equipment used to administer a general anaesthetic and equipment used in monitoring patient pre- and post-operatively
• risks associated with general anaesthesia including risks of:
 chest infection
 cross-infection from instruments and handpieces
 deep venous thrombosis (DVT)
 anaphylaxis – from a reaction to anaesthetic
 lowered patient’s body temperature – they may need extra blankets or warming devices to protect against hypothermia
 compromised patient comfort – ensure pressure points on skin are monitored
• reasons for keeping accurate records of oral conditions and treatments
• reasons why patients need to follow pre- and post-operative instructions, and the importance of this
• medical emergencies and complications which may arise during and after general anaesthesia and appropriate medical responses and treatment to be given by the dental team.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must have been demonstrated in the dental workplace with the addition of simulations and scenarios where the full range of contexts and situations cannot be provided in the workplace.
The requirement under performance evidence for the candidate to prepare equipment and assist the operator with oral health care procedures for 3 different patients under general anaesthesia must have been demonstrated using simulation prior to demonstration in the workplace and with members of the general public.
The following conditions must be met for this unit:
• use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources including:
- sterile dental equipment and instruments
- surgical personal protective equipment for aseptic technique procedures
- operating trolley
- suctioning equipment
- access to defibrillator
- waste disposal equipment
- Dental Board of Australia guidelines on infection control
• modelling of industry operating conditions including access to real people for simulations and scenarios in dental assisting work.
Assessment must involve demonstration of tasks under the direction of the dental practitioner.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
In addition, assessors must hold a minimum of 5 years clinical experience in dental assisting work.
Foundation Skills
The Foundation Skills describe those required skills (language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills) that are essential to performance
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.