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 desirable for assessment of this unit

Consistent compliance with infection control guidelines, occupational health and safety policies, Australian and New Zealand Standards and legislative requirements as they relate to the dental assistant'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

Observation in the work place is desirable

Evidence of essential knowledge and understanding may be provided by:

traditional or online (computer-based) assessment

written assignments/projects

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

Questioning

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

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:

Fundamental knowledge of medical complications relevant to the dental triage role including:

diabetes

compromised airway

septicaemia

Fundamental knowledge of dental complications relevant to the dental triage role including

dental and or maxillofacial trauma including avulsed teeth

serious dental infections requiring urgent attention

significant dental haemorrhage

systemic progression of dental problems such as compromised airway

Fundamental knowledge of medical problems that may complicate dental management including:

clients requiring antibiotic cover

clients requiring steroid cover

clients who are pregnant

clients with significant learning or physical disabilities which may affect their ability to wait for treatment

Understanding of the special requirements of children with toothache.

Fundamental knowledge of oral anatomy and physiology including:

teeth and periodontal tissues.

structures of the oral cavity.

tooth identification

Dental and medical records and charts including:

knowledge of correct dental terminology.

items that constitute a dental record.

FDI notation and Palmer notation systems and charting symbols.

confidentiality of client records.

Fundamental knowledge of the effects of aging upon the oral tissues and the special needs of the elderly dental client.

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to

Assist with the management of client expectations regarding waiting times for emergency care

Establish priority level of care for each client and advancing priority if required

Liaise with waiting clients to ensure they are aware of current waiting times

Manage questions relating to the emergency visit

Provide clients with pre-operative and post-operative instructions

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

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 use problem solving skills required including:

selecting and preparing instruments, equipment and materials as directed by the operator

using available resources

Consistently apply standard and additional precautions while triaging clients

Deal with conflict

Perform triage duties with initiative and work with minimum supervision

Recognise, respond to and assist with dental and medical emergencies

Relate effectively and courteously with others and display empathy with client and relatives

Select and apply procedures to perform a range of tasks specific to the dental triage job role

Use literacy skills to read and follow directions, policies and procedures including:

infection control policies and procedures

occupational health and safety policies and procedures

practice policies and procedures

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

Clients who require immediate attention include but are not limited to:

Clients presenting with dental and or maxillofacial trauma including avulsed teeth

Clients presenting with serious dental infection

Clients presenting with significant dental haemorrhage

Clients who have a systemic progression of their dental problems

Clients given priority include but are not limited to:

Children with toothache

Clients whose medical condition may complicate their dental management

Clients with significant learning or physical disabilities which may affect their ability to wait for treatment

Pregnant women

Clients who present with pain but do have a risk of serious medical or dental complication include but are not limited to:

Clients with mucosal lesions such as mouth ulcers

Dental abscesses without marked facial swelling

Fractured filling and broken teeth

Toothache from dental pathology

Charts andrecords may include but are not limited to:

Completed medical questionnaires

Consent documents obtained for treatment

Copies of correspondence relating to the client

Dental charts and dental treatment records

Diagnostic models

Notes made by staff following telephone conversations

Photographs

Radiographs, tracings and measurements

Records of financial transactions

Reports to and from referring dentists and specialists

Accurate and legible records may include:

Avoiding the use of abbreviations, unless widely used in dentistry

Dating computer records should be dated and made in a chronological order

Entering information promptly onto the client record and in chronological order

Noting the reason for the correction

Recording the date of each entry

Writing legibly and clearly in ink

Personal protective equipment may include:

Examination gloves that comply with AS/NZS 4011 and surgical gloves that comply with AS/NZS 4179

Footwear to protect from dropped sharps and other contaminated items

Glasses, goggles or face-shields

Gowns and waterproof aprons that comply with AS 3789.2 and AS 3789.3

Guidelines for latex allergic clients and staff

Surgical face masks that comply with AS 4381

Monitoring the client's well-being may include:

Alerting operator to any observed client change

Communicating appropriately with client and operator

Giving the client an appropriate opportunity to ask questions

Observing client comfort

Providing assurance