Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to construct removable acrylic partial dentures.
This unit applies to work in dental technology.
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. Design acrylic | 1.1 Confirm the survey of the model carried out by the operator 1.2 Confirm design and transfer to master model 1.3 Block-out undesirable undercuts 1.4 Scribe food lines 1.5 Duplicate master model to create a working model |
2. Select and prepare materials | 2.1 Select materials according to laboratory work order 2.2 Establish shape and dimension of component parts from design |
3. Arrange artificial teeth | 3.1 Select teeth and position in wax to establish aesthetics and function 3.2 Contour wax so that denture is suitable for try-in. 3.3 Decontaminate denture according to infection control guidelines and place in a suitable container for dispatch |
4. Construct retainer units. | 4.1 Construct components as required 4.2 Join components as required 4.3 Secure teeth and components in wax 4.4 Contour facial and lingual aspects 4.5 Secure appliance for processing |
5. Select and prepare materials and processing technique | 5.1 Identify the appropriate polymer system for case 5.2 Identify the appropriate investment technique 5.3 Identify the appropriate processing cycle 5.4 Select polymeric material to construct the prosthesis 5.5 Prepare system components in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions 5.6 Allow materials to reach application stage |
6. Process denture or appliance | 6.1 Apply appropriate investment techniques 6.2 Apply material to investment mould 6.3 Process the polymeric material for the correct length of time at the correct temperature 6.4 Devest model and remove any processing irregularities and sharp edges before fitting onto master model 6.5 Confirm accuracy of retainer units |
7. Finish denture or appliance | 7.1 Reposition models on the articulator where possible 7.2 Assess the articulated prosthesis and confirm that articulation is appropriate where possible 7.3 Make any necessary adjustments to maintain original vertical dimension 7.4 Polish the non-fitting surface of the prosthesis to create a smooth high shined surface 7.5 Evaluate the finished prosthesis 7.6 Decontaminate the finished prosthesis in accordance to infection control procedures 7.7 Place in a sealed container ready for dispatch |
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:
• read and correctly interpreted 1 laboratory work order for removable acrylic partial denture
• used standard precautions and safe work practices during the set-up and waxing of partial dentures to produce 1 acrylic partial denture with a combination of bounded and free end saddle areas, suitable for insertion in the mouth
• critically evaluated the 1 acrylic partial denture produced to meet technical laboratory and patient requirements.
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively 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:
• 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 laboratory work
• advantages and disadvantages of partial dentures
• fundamental oral anatomy, including:
- dentition – arrangement of the teeth, naming and coding of teeth
- 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
• fundamentals of dental polymers including:
- acrylic and modified acrylic prosthetic teeth
- acrylic plastics as soft liners
- acrylic plastics for denture bases including composition and properties
- acrylic-metal combinations
- acrylics for construction of custom trays
- modified acrylic denture base plastics including manipulation and processing
- the polymerisation process including cross-linked polymers, copolymers, modified polymers and vinyl plastics
• principles of partial denture design
• surveying techniques
• stages in the design of partial dentures:
- classifying, supporting and outlining the saddles
- connecting the various components together
- providing additional components where necessary to resist rotation
- providing reciprocation and bracing
- providing retention
- reviewing the design for hygiene, support and retention.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must have been demonstrated in a dental laboratory workplace or in a simulated dental laboratory environment that reflects workplace laboratory conditions. The following conditions must be met for this unit:
• use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources including:
- access to work order
- Dental Board of Australia guidelines on infection control on which the candidate bases the planning process
- laboratory safety manuals and procedures in line with relevant Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation
- WHS policies on which the candidate bases the planning process.
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. |