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

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

Context of and specific resources for assessment:

Assessment should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible

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

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:

Applied oral anatomy

articulation and occlusion

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 metallurgy

Infection control guidelines for the decontamination of completed laboratory work

Work health and safety (WHS) policies and procedures

Processing of wax patterns in acrylic resin

Relevant material science for carrying out procedures

Use of surveying equipment

Use of vacuum forming procedures

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to

Consistently design and manufacture oral splints using a range of materials, for a range of jaw relations and malocclusions

Consistently use a range of articulators

Consistently trim, polish, finish and evaluate oral splints for suitability for insertion in the mouth

Consistently comply with current infection control guidelines, Australian Standards and legislative requirements as they relate to the dental technician’s specific job role

Consistently comply with work health and safety (WHS) policies and procedures as they relate to the dental technician’s specific job role

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:

Appropriately use centric records and face-bow records

Consistently follow sequenced written instructions and manufacturer specifications for the preparation of materials

Select articulator according to oral splint

Select materials and techniques to manufacture a range of oral splints

Use appropriate practices to ensure efficient use of power and other resources

Use safe work practices to minimise the risk of transmission of infection including:

consistently following the procedure for washing and drying hands

consistently putting into practice clean techniques

consistently using personal protective equipment

consistently limiting contamination

consistently maintaining clean receiving and work areas

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

work health and safety (WHS) policies and procedures

infection control policies and procedures

material safety data sheets

laboratory 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.

Materials may include:

Acrylic resins (heat activated, chemically activated, thermoformed)

Cast alloys

Visible light-cured composite resins

Splints may include:

Acrylic cap splints

Cast metal alloy cap splints

Gunning splints

Occlusal splints (bruxing, neutral, anterior, repositioning, TMJ, orthodontic)

Wrought wire retained splints

Evaluation of splints may include:

Confirming that the splint:

fits the cast

is free from defects

is effective for the purpose

meets the requirements of the planned design

complies with the prescription