Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify variations and recognise oral health issues through a visual check, observation of patient behaviour and habits, signs and symptoms and physical condition of patients. This enables the candidate to respond appropriately to the clinical findings to initiate follow up oral health care.
This unit applies to workers in a range of health and community services environments where their work role requires them to recognise and respond to oral health issues.
The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards for maintaining infection control, and industry codes of practice.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements define the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria specify the level of performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element |
1. Identify variations in patient behaviour and habits | 1.1 Identify opportunities to observe patient behaviour, physical functions, capabilities and habits that may indicate oral health issues or associated pain or discomfort 1.2 Observe, listen for self-reports and question patient and family/or carer to determine whether the patient is experiencing pain or discomfort that may be associated with oral health issues 1.3 Access relevant information on contributing factors that may produce variation from normal behaviour |
2. Undertake basic visual oral check and questioning | 2.1 Obtain consent from the patient to conduct basic visual oral check and questioning from patient and/or family/carer 2.2 Ensure comfort of patient by developing trust and rapport, adapting environment and optimal time based on patient needs 2.3 Provide support for patient’s head or chin if necessary to enhance visual access without creating discomfort for the patient 2.4 Seek assistance from patient to open their own mouth to limit hand contact inside the mouth 2.5 Prepare and perform basic visual oral checks in line with own work role and use of standard precautions 2.6 Identify signs and symptoms of oral health issues that may indicate variation from normal and actively listen to and be aware of self-reports |
3. Follow up and promote ongoing oral health care | 3.1 Complete documentation and reporting processes, using information from patient, and/or family/carer or other relevant people as well as own observations in relation to oral health issues 3.2 Discuss oral health issues with patient and/or carer in line with organisation policies and procedures and respecting patient priorities and choices 3.3 Take appropriate action within work role, including liaising with supervisor in consultation with patient to ensure appropriate referral occurs 3.4 Use appropriate communication strategies to provide information relevant to promoting and maintaining good oral health 3.5 Provide instruction to support patients to take a self-care approach to oral health in line with individual needs where possible 3.6 Identify and address key barriers to management or self-management of oral health 3.7 Review and monitor oral health issues |
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.