NATIONAL COURSE CODE: HLT45015 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting tafesa.edu.au
Course Aims and Objectives On completion of the Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (HLT45015), graduates will have completed the education and training in advanced dental assisting skills practice Each graduate will have developed the knowledge, skills, behaviours, attitudes, values and judgements that will enable them to: provide an advanced level of chairside and clinical assistance to the operator contribute to the quality of dental care provided through well developed communication skills provide an oral health education program that promotes good oral health as part of general good health implement and monitor infection control policy and procedures.
Expected Employment Outcomes Most dental assistants are employed by dentists in private practices and clinics. Some dental assistants undertake further study to become dental hygienists. Others gain further administrative experience and possibly qualifications to progress to practice management. This qualification provides the knowledge and skills necessary to provide an advanced level of chairside assistance to the operator, including contributing to the quality of dental care provided through well developed communication skills; providing an oral health education program that promotes good oral health as part of general good health; as well as implementing and monitoring infection control policy and procedures. Centre for Dental Studies TAFE SA, Centre for Dental Studies provides career pathways with courses in dental assisting, dental radiography, practice management, dental technology, dental prosthetics and dental hygiene. Programs conducted in the Centre for Dental Studies are accredited and approved through a variety of external quality assurance processes. Dental Studies programs incorporate innovative and flexible learning and assessment methodologies to reflect current philosophies and practice within the dental community and industry. An emphasis on integrating current science and practice is facilitated through competency and problem based learning methodologies that reflect required knowledge and skills for industry application. The innovative methodologies include the online learning management system that facilitates a virtual environment for all learners to access valuable learning and assessment recourse to support their learning endeavours. Facilities The Centre for Dental Studies at the TAFE SA Gilles Plains Campus was re-designed and renovated in 2008 to create a modern teaching facility for dental studies including an updated 36 station Dental Laboratory and a state of the art 28 chair fully functioning dental clinic and demonstration area utilising intraoral and extraoral cameras. The clinic also includes 7 intraoral radiography units and a panoramic radiography machine.
Program outline The Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (HLT45015) is designed to be undertaken in conjunction with working in the industry. It is an extension of existing skills and an introduction to further studies within the dental industry. There are a range of available units of study that can be tailored to meet the needs of the learner and the workplace requirements. The units of study within the Certificate IV program are suited to dental assistants in a senior, management or trainers role and encompass clinical skills as well as advanced administration units and the opportunity to enhance communication and interpersonal skills. Students undertake core units that focus on policy and procedure development and analysis and are then offered a range of elective units that are more specific for their career direction and outcomes. Learning new skills and getting the one on one help within the clinical setting with the tutors to be able to refine these skills. Great mix within the class which made learning enjoyable. Tutors were approachable and made every effort to assist where they could. TAFE SA Graduate
Recognition of prior learning If you have gained the skills and knowledge equivalent to a unit in this course through work experience, life skills or on the job training you may apply for the recognition of these skills, once you have been accepted into the course. This may shorten the length of time required for you to study to complete the course. Credit transfer If you have completed equivalent studies, you may apply for credit transfer once you have been accepted into the TAFE SA course. Qualification Successful completion of this course provides you with the provides you with the Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (HLT45015). Course delivery The course is delivered one evening a week or the equivalent externally over 12 months Course length The course duration is up to 12 months part time. Assessments The attainment of course outcomes will be achieved through the designing of assessment methodologies and tools that address the identified employment skills, competency levels and performance criteria in each unit. The process, method and timing of assessment are explained at the beginning of each unit. Opportunity for further study Some of the units offered in the Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (HLT45015) are also units of study in the Advanced Diploma of Oral Health (Dental Hygiene) (10286NAT) program which you will receive credit transfer for if you continue further studies. Support services General career and education counselling and learning support are available. Most campuses have a learning resource centre (library), cafeteria, student lounge and recreational activities. Access and equity TAFE SA is committed to ensuring that all members of the public have access to all of the courses offered and a fair and non-discriminatory learning environment. Conditions of registration, including TAFE SA Code of Practice can be found at tafesa.edu.au How to apply Entry to the course in South Australia is administered through the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Visit tafesa.edu.au/courses and click on courses listed with Apply Now. If applying under a traineeship contact the dental program on 08 8207 1247. Vaccination requirements and criminal history check Important requirements for clinical placement. SA Health and TAFE SA are committed to ensuring the health and safety of all patients in health care settings and providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees and students. This commitment includes adopting a screening, education and vaccination program that minimises the risk of acquiring infectious diseases. Failure to comply with current screening and vaccination policies of SA Health is likely to preclude a student from clinical placements and completing the requirements of the course. Students should be advised that information about specific vaccines can be obtained from their local GP or immunisation clinic. It is important to note that students are responsible for any costs associated with vaccination and screening. Course admission requirements You must be working in a related industry and provide evidence of this when you register into the part-time, traineeship or external programs. Students applying for this qualification must be an existing worker. For entry into the full time program, students must apply to and be offered a position through SATAC. Satisfactory achievement in the Core Skills Profile for Adults (CSPA) assessment Selection criteria is only used when there are more applicants for the course than places available. Applicants will be ranked in the following order: 1. CSPA results Since the introduction of WorkReady funding, LLN assessments have been adopted for students as per funding requirements..
Student Eligibility To be eligible to apply for fees by instalments a student must: Be enrolled in an award course at certificate III or IV level (Diploma and above level courses can apply for a VET student loan)* If enrolled in a diploma or above level course, then, must not be entitled to a VET student loan Must not be an international student Have course fees of greater than $250 Have no outstanding fees with TAFE SA Be in a current financial situation that does not permit them to pay their fees in full Fees WorkReady fees: $2,626 4,245 This course is funded through the Government of South Australia s WorkReady initiative. Eligibility criteria apply, incidental fees may apply. Students will need to check course fees directly with TAFE SA via website TAFE SA Courses. TAFE SA will advise students about all fees and publish their fee policies on TAFE SA website. Subject to eligibility, only applies to courses that are listed on the WorkReady Training List. In some courses there will be incidental fees for specific tools, materials, events or uniforms. For further information visit tafesa.edu.au Please make an appointment with a TAFE SA student support officer to discuss your eligibility if you require assistance. Financial assistance Sometimes it is difficult for students to pay their fees, so there is the option of paying their course fees via Fees-by- Instalments for eligible students undertaking eligible courses. A minimum of 14 units of competency are required for award of this qualification including, 10 core units and 4 elective units: Core Units Unit Code HLTDEN001 HLTDEN002 HLTDEN003 HLTAID003 CHCCOM005 HLTINF001 CHCDIV001 HLTINF002 HLTWHS001 HLTWHS003 Units of Competency Prepare for and assist with oral health care procedures Assist with dental radiography Assist with administration in dental practice Provide first aid Elective units Communicate and work in health or community services Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures Work with diverse people Process reusable medical devices and equipment Participate in workplace health and safety Maintain work health and safety There are various categories of elective units that are designed for you to be able to tailor your studies to meet your desired employment or further studies outcomes. Three of the most popular elective units are the radiography skill set units which then also entitle the graduate to obtain a licence to operate dental radiation equipment. Unit Code HLTDEN007 Units of Competency Apply the principles of radiation biology and Protection in dental practice HLTDEN008 HLTDEN009 HLTOHC002 HLTDEN014 HLTDET001 HLTDEN013 Prepare to expose a prescribed dental radiographic image Produce a prescribed dental radiographic image Inform and support patients and groups about oral health Take a clinical photograph Construct models Allocate treatment appointments according to priority
tafesa.edu.au/dental 1800 882 661 RTO Code: 41026 CRICOS Code: 00092B HEP Code: PRV14002 Information current as at November 2017