Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to insert, alter and issue a completed removable dental prosthesis for dentate and edentulous patients.
This unit applies to work in dental prosthetics.
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 procedure | 1.1 Prepare personal protective equipment for the patient and members of the dental team 1.2 Position patient correctly for procedure 1.3 Provide full details of the procedure to the patient or carer and confirm consent to follow treatment plan 1.4 Prepare equipment and materials in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions |
2. Check the removable dental prosthesis prior to insertion | 2.1 Decontaminate the completed removable dental prosthesis according to infection control guidelines 2.2 Remove potential injury-causing areas of the prosthesis prior to insertion 2.3Interpret advice from laboratory on fitting procedures and potential problems |
3. Fit and evaluate the prosthesis | 3.1 Position the patient comfortably for the procedure 3.2 Instruct the patient on participation during the procedure 3.3 Examine the prosthesis for retention and stability 3.4 Check the fitting surfaces of the appliance and ensure there are no sharp ridges or acrylic pearls 3.5 Place denture in the mouth and assess that no over-extensions occur along the periphery of the dentures 3.6 Confirm that the occlusal relationships are acceptable 3.7 Assess aesthetics of removable dental prosthesis 3.8 Assess phonetics of removable dental prosthesis 3.9 Assess patient comfort of removable dental prosthesis |
4. Alter prosthesis | 4.1 Use materials and equipment required to carry out alterations in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions 4.2 Alter the fitting surface when pressure is indicated or when discrepancies to retention and stability are found 4.3 Adjust occlusion of the prosthesis using occlusal indicator materials where required 4.4 Complete documentation |
5. Evaluate procedure and instruct the patient | 5.1 Discuss hygiene and maintenance instructions for the removable dental prosthesis and supporting structures with the patient or carer 5.2 Provide advice on necessary follow up treatment to patient or carer 5.3 Reach mutual agreement that all outcomes of the treatment have been fulfilled |
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 completed the following tasks:
• performed the activities outlined in the performance criteria of this unit during a period of at least 240 hours of work in a clinical dental workplace environment
• followed procedures to ensure the safety of 4 patients during preparation, insertion and removal of completed prosthesis
• assessed the functional and aesthetic acceptability for at least 4 patients including:
- 2 complete maxillary and mandibular dentures
- and any 4 dentures of the following, 2 of which must be partial dentures:
o complete maxillary or mandibular denture opposing partial maxillary or mandibular denture
o opposing partial maxillary and mandibular dentures
o partial maxillary or mandibular denture opposing natural dentition
• assessed the functional and aesthetic acceptability for at least 1 patient for one of the following:
- relines or rebases
- repairs and/or additions to existing dentures.
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task 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:
• Australian/New Zealand Standards, workplace health and safety (WHS) policies, Dental Board of Australia guidelines on infection control, Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, and organisation policies relating to dental prosthetics work
• rationale and objectives for insertion of completed prostheses
• how to use equipment and materials required to adjust and evaluate the fitting of removable dental prosthesis including aesthetics, phonics and comfort
• ethical principles and legal responsibilities involved in the provision of dental care
• dental practice or organisation policy and procedures, including registration standards and guidelines.
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 following conditions must be met for this unit:
• use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources including:
- dental clinic
- de-identified dental and medical records and charts for scenarios
- personal protective 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 of prosthetic procedures.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
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. |