Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare for and conduct authorised oral health screening tests within scope of work role to identify the need for referral to an oral health practitioner or for additional education or instruction in oral health care.
This unit applies to workers in a range of health and community service environments where authorised basic oral health screening is carried out.
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. Prepare for and participate in basic routine oral health screening services | 1.1 Explain screening procedure and rationale to patient/s, check understanding and obtain consent from patient and/or carer to conduct screening 1.2 Prepare screening materials, instruments and tools 1.3 Take into account patient’s ability to self-report and select most suitable tools and approach 1.4 Comply with directions of screening tool instructions, guidelines and/or training approved by the oral health sector 1.5 Use screening tool to question patients about their oral health and take into account specific individual issues 1.6 Demonstrate an understanding of existing health conditions and impacts on oral health |
2. Follow screening tool questioning, observation and recording requirements | 2.1 Record and document observations about patient’s oral health in appropriate format according to tool and organisation guidelines 2.2 Consult with other health personnel where necessary to confirm or clarify screening results, and record processes and outcomes 2.3 Interpret findings based on screening results and report results to health practitioner or oral health team 2.4 Document reporting processes, use information from patient and/or carer and own observations |
3. Review screening process and referral outcomes | 3.1 Address identified needs for oral health education and/or assessment in consultation with others and refer where necessary 3.2 Where appropriate, discuss with patients and other relevant stakeholders any issues or obstacles relating to referrals made 3.3 Where screening was unsuccessful report and follow up appropriately 3.4 Clarify screening effectiveness by obtaining feedback from patients and other relevant stakeholders and identify any issues in own use of screening tool/s |
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.