Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to provide an oral health promotion program.
This unit applies to dental assistants and to other health care workers who are actively involved in promoting general well-being through the promotion of healthy eating habits and good oral health.
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. Deliver an oral health promotion program | 1.1 Identify the target group and appropriate teaching and learning styles to effectively communicate an oral health promotion program 1.2 Prioritise the oral health issues for the target group and the potential for effective interventions 1.3 Prepare oral health promotion materials suitable for use across age groups 1.4 Ensure flexibility of delivery of oral health promotion taking into account the target group’s location, economic and physical circumstances, language, culture and communication needs 1.5 Actively involve community groups in health decision-making and in setting oral health promotion priorities 1.6 Implement a review strategy to determine the effectiveness of the oral health promotion program |
2. Develop oral health promotion strategies for a target group | 2.1 Provide information on the causes of oral diseases to an identified target group appropriately and completely using language that can be easily understood 2.2 Provide information on the prevention of oral diseases appropriately and completely using language that can be easily understood 2.3 Develop and give appropriate information on acids and fermentable carbohydrates in a manner that can be easily understood 2.4 Involve the target group in a review of current dietary habits and the development of an approach to healthy eating which improves general and oral health 2.5 Provide information appropriately on a dentally healthy lifestyle and behavioural change 2.6 Provide an appropriate environment for the target group to ask questions and become involved in oral health |
3. Integrate oral health promotion with targeted National Health Priorities | 3.1 Work collaboratively with other health care workers in a culturally sensitive and competent manner to address risk factors that oral diseases have in common with other diseases 3.2 Personalise the delivery of health information so that it is immediately relevant to the individual and clarifies the consequences of behaviour |
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:
• developed 1 oral health program for a specific target group within the community, including:
- identifying the target group and key concerns
- developing specific promotion strategies and resources to reach the target group
- integrating promotion with targeted National Health Priorities
• facilitated discussion with 10 people on oral health care including:
- causes and prevention of oral diseases
- dietary habits and the impact of healthy eating on oral health
- behavioural change for improved oral health.
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:
• fundamental oral anatomy:
- structures of the oral cavity, hard and soft palate, lateral and posterior borders of the oral cavity, tongue and floor of the mouth
- teeth form and function
- dentition, arrangement of the teeth, naming and coding of teeth
• nutritional requirements for children, adolescents, adults and the elderly, including National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) dietary guidelines
• national, State/Territory or local oral health promotion programs or strategies
• approaches to health promotion delivery and appropriate resources to specific target groups
• plaque and its differing roles in the development of dental caries and periodontal disease
• saliva and its role in the maintenance of oral health including:
- protecting teeth by neutralising acid
- acting as a lubricant
- delivering calcium, phosphate and fluoride to the tooth surface
• factors that lead to the development of dental caries including:
- bacteria in dental plaque
- diet
- susceptible tooth surfaces
• factors that prevent and control dental caries including:
- increasing salivary flow and optimising its composition
- fluorides
- plaque control and removal
- dietary change
• factors that lead to the development of periodontal disease including:
- bacteria in dental plaque
- accumulation of plaque and calculus
- smoking
• factors that prevent and control periodontal disease including:
- patient education
- plaque control
• systemic conditions which influence the development of oral disease
• local oral factors that influence the development of oral disease including modifications to oral health education programs related to special needs due to disability, older age and childhood
• causes and prevention of non caries tooth wear including:
- erosion
- abrasion
- attrition
• the role of properly constructed and fitted mouthguards in preventing dental injuries
• the impact of smoking on oral soft tissues
Assessment Conditions
Skills must have been demonstrated in the dental clinic workplace or in a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions. Where simulation is used, it must reflect real working conditions by modelling industry operating conditions and contingencies, as well as, using suitable facilities, equipment and resources.
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.