This unit applies to work in dental prosthetics at advanced diploma level

Pre-requisite units

This unit must be assessed after successful achievement of pre-requisites:

HLTIN301C Comply with infection control policies and procedures

HLTIN302C Process reusable instruments and equipment in health work

HLTWHS401A Maintain workplace WHS processes

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Obtain a complete client history

1.1 Obtain accurate, complete and legal records of the client's personal, medical and dental history

1.2 Check accuracy of information with the client or where appropriate carer/guardian

1.3 Verify information with appropriate practitioner, where required by relevant guidelines or legislation

2. Consult medical history of client

2.1 Consult and use appropriate medical history in determining requirements for removable dental prosthetic treatment

2.2 Consult client and/or carers about medical history to ensure it is accurate and current

3. Obtain and record client data

3.1 Record relevant information legibly, accurately and completely

3.2 Assist clients and/or carers to complete data forms as required

3.3 Obtain and document consent following ethical and legal requirements

3.4 Obtain client and/or carer signature where possible, to signify accuracy of the statement

3.5 Maintain client confidentiality

4. Assess oral status for removable dental prosthetic procedures

4.1 Assess intra-oral status accurately in accordance with relevant guidelines and legislation

4.2 Modify examination procedures according to the specific needs of the client

5. Develop a removable dental prosthetic treatment plan

5.1 Interpret and evaluate the results of removable dental prosthetic examinations

5.2 Consider the client's medical and dental history when developing a treatment plan

5.3 Make prosthetic assessment in accordance with organisation procedures

5.4 Consult dentist/doctor where appropriate and in accordance with legislative guidelines

5.5 Refer client to dentist/doctor where appropriate

5.6 Observe centric and eccentric mandibular movements

6. Obtain client/carer consent

6.1 Involve the client and/or carer in discussions about their treatment using language that is understandable to them

6.2 Provide full details about removable dental prosthetic treatment options and the risks and benefits of the treatment

6.3 Allow sufficient time to discuss treatment options with client and/or carer

6.4 Help clients understand the effects of treatment or no treatment and to clarify their preferences

6.5 Ensure flexibility of client services that consider client's special needs

6.6 Obtain and document consent following ethical and legal requirements

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Essential 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 identified work role

This includes knowledge of:

Applied oral anatomy

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

Dental and medical records and charts including:

confidentiality of client records

FDI notation and Palmer notation systems and charting symbols for tooth surfaces, cavities and other dental problems

informed consent

items that constitute a dental record

knowledge of correct dental terminology and how it is used in dental charting

privacy principles

the purpose and requirements for maintaining accurate records of examination, treatments, materials used and drugs/medicaments prescribed

the purpose of study casts and the materials used in their construction

the reasons for taking radiographs and photograph

Fundamental knowledge of oral pathology including:

benign lesions of bone

dental caries and periodontal disease

infectious diseases including bacterial, fungal and viral infections

inflammation

oral cancer

physical injuries to soft tissue including burns and ulceration

physical injuries to the teeth including erosion, attrition and abrasion

reactive connective tissue including hyperplasia

regeneration and repair

Components of intra-oral and extra-oral examination

Cultural issues which may affect dental examinations and treatment

Disability awareness and social justice principles

Factors that may influence dental management plan (general physical characteristics)

Infection control policies and procedures

Normal variance of structure and function of dental prosthetic devices

Occlusion in relation to removable dental prosthetic treatment

WHS policies and procedures

Procedures and rationale for referral

Quality treatment modalities and fostering of reflective learning practices for all staff

Rationale for the removable dental prosthetic examination

Relevant current legislation including registration and insurance

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to

Consistently prepare clients, environments, instruments and materials for prosthetic examination

Consistently comply with WHS procedures

Consistently implement standard precautions

In addition, the candidate must be able 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 identified work role

This includes the ability to:

Consistently apply standard and additional precautions during all prosthetic procedures

Consistently demonstrate interpersonal skills when relating to people from a range of social, cultural and religious backgrounds and physical and mental abilities

Consistently make accurate, complete and legal records of the client's personal, medical and dental information

Consistently perform extra-oral removable dental prosthetic examination

Consistently perform intra-oral removable dental prosthetic examination

Consistently recognise healthy oral tissue and identify a departure from normal physical and radiographic appearance

Consistently demonstrate communication skills as required in fulfilling the job role as specified by the dental practice/organisation including:

acknowledging and responding to a range of views

active listening

asking for clarification from client and/or carer

asking questions

negotiation

Consistently deal with conflict

Consistently work with others and display empathy with client and relatives

Consistently use problem solving skills required including:

selecting and preparing instruments, equipment and materials as required for specific removable dental prosthetic procedure

using available resources

Recognise, respond to and assist with dental and medical emergencies

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:

The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills

Observation of workplace performance is essential for assessment of this unit

Consistent compliance with infection control guidelines, Australian and New Zealand Standards and legislative requirements as they relate to the dental prosthetist's specific job role

Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations

Context of and specific resources for assessment:

Where, for reasons of safety, access to equipment and resources and space, assessment takes place away from the workplace, simulations should be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible

Method of assessment

Evidence of essential knowledge and understanding may be provided by:

traditional or online (computer-based) assessment

questions during workplace assessment

written assignments/projects

Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice.

Staff and/or client feedback

Supporting statement of supervisor

Authenticated evidence of relevant work experience and/or formal/informal learning

Role play/simulation

Access and equity considerations:

All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work

All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment

In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Client information may include:

Completion of medical/dental history questionnaire

Consent form for minors

Contact details

Date of birth

Information from carer/guardian, where appropriate

Language/s spoken

Medical practitioner details and medical history

Medical/dental health insurance fund

Name (family name, given names and preferred name)

Name and contact details of parent, next-of-kin, guardian or advocate, if relevant

Pension details, if relevant

Private and government entitlement, if relevant

Referral and source

Relevant guidelines or legislation may include but is not limited to:

Relevant practitioner legislation and regulation

Organisation policies and procedures

State, territory and commonwealth legislation including:

Anti-Discrimination Acts

current infection control guidelines

disability policy, programs and legislation

equal employment opportunity

Guardianship Act

Hazardous Substances Act

Mental Health Act

WHS policies and procedures

relevant legislation in regard to consent to undertake removable dental prosthetic procedures

Prosthetic assessment may include:

Assessment of existing denture

denture wearing history

extension of existing denture

assessment of retention

assessment of stability

Assessment of appropriate freeway space

Assessment of appearance

Hard tissues

Soft tissues

Temporo-mandibular joint and related musculature

Specific needs may include but are not limited to:

A client's disability

A client's location

A client's economic circumstances

A client's language

A client's culture

A client's communication needs

This unit contains Employability Skills