HLTDEN008
Prepare to expose a prescribed dental radiographic image


Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to interpret a prescribed request for a dental radiographic image. It also includes the preparation of the patient for dental radiography and the selection of equipment requirements.

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. Interpret the request for the prescribed dental radiographic image

1.1 Interpret the request accurately using appropriate dental terminology

1.2 Assess the request for sufficient information to produce the radiographic image and obtain additional information when insufficient

1.3 Select and use appropriate exposure variables in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions and patient requirements

2. Refer to previous dental radiographic imaging

2.1 Review previous dental radiographic images for technical quality

2.2 Clarify technical quality of previous radiographic images using additional information or advice from dental practitioner

3. Assess and determine the procedure prior to exposing a dental radiographic image

3.1 Determine the patient’s ability to comply with instructions

3.2 Review modifications to the standard procedure with the operator prior to implementation

3.3 Obtain additional information and advice from the dental practitioner before proceeding with the procedure

3.4 Explain the procedure and necessary requirements clearly to the patient before commencement

3.5 Prepare patient prior to producing a dental radiographic image

3.6 Confirm patient identity and match to the request

3.7 Obtain consent from the patient or carer

4. Select and prepare dental radiographic imaging equipment and accessories appropriate to the procedure

4.1 Select appropriate dental radiographic imaging equipment for the procedure and identify patient requirements

4.2 Select and use correctly appropriate accessories for dental radiographic imaging

4.3 Select appropriate technical variables of the dental radiographic imaging equipment

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:

• 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.


Evidence of Knowledge

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.


Assessment Conditions

Skills must have been demonstrated in the dental clinic workplace with the addition of simulations and scenarios where the full range of contexts and situations cannot be provided in the workplace. The following conditions must be met for this unit:

• use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources including:

- barrier protection materials

- dental chair and unit

- X-ray machine and digital X-ray machine

- operator and assistant protective equipment

- radiographs and/or sensors

- waste disposal equipment

- Dental Board of Australia guidelines on infection control on which the candidate bases the planning process

• 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 verbal or written prescription from a 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.