Course Title: Assist with dental radiography

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: VE 2019

Class Number: 5005

Class Section: RPL2

For flexible terms and optional semesters, a Part B course guide may have been published for the entire teaching period, or for the specific class number in which you are enrolled. If there is no Part B course guide published for your specific class number, please refer to the guide for the teaching period in which you are enrolled. Enrolment Online is the definitive source for details regarding your class enrolment.

Course Code: DENT5844C

Course Title: Assist with dental radiography

Important Information:

This unit only applies to the students enrolled in the HLT45015 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting program, who do not have the current dental assisting qualification (HLT35015 Certificate III in Dental Assisting).

 https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit

School: 174T School of VE Engineering, Health & Science

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4406 - Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Oral Health Promotion)

Course Contact: Sue Fatone

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9341 1406

Course Contact Email: sue.fatone@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 50

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required for a dental assistant to prepare patients for dental radiography. It also describes the skills and knowledge to process and mount conventional dental radiographs. 

This unit applies to dental assisting work. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand Standards and industry codes of practice.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

HLTDEN002 Assist with dental radiography

Element:

1. Prepare for dental radiography

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Position the patient comfortably 1.2 Reassure the patient and explain the procedure in language that is easily understood 1.3 Ask the patient to remove items that may interfere with the radiographic examination, and offer appropriate explanation 1.4 Ensure patient, other members of the dental team and the public are protected from ionising radiations 1.5 Assist the operator in the implementation of safe work practices to minimise radiation risks to workers and to patients during procedure 1.6 Select and prepare the correct radiographic film or image receptors and relevant holders for the radiographic examination, and make it available to the operator

Element:

2. Prepare equipment and materials for dental radiography

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Maintain clean and dry working surfaces 2.2 Clean and maintain processing equipment in good working order 2.3 Maintain processing solutions at the correct strength and temperature 2.4 Record accurately the date of preparation of solutions 2.5 Arrange for servicing of instruments and equipment in line with manufacturers' instructions and Radiation Health Committee national policies, codes and standards 2.6 File equipment service records in a location within the surgery that can be readily accessed 2.7 Prepare program to receive image, correctly orientate and label radiograph and enter patient data

Element:

3. Process and mount dental radiographs

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Protect processing facility and equipment against accidental intrusion of light 3.2 Wear personal protective equipment 3.3 Handle radiographic film packages or image receptors carefully so that their quality is maintained 3.4 Carry out processing stages in the correct sequence and for the appropriate duration in accordance with manufacturers' specifications 3.5 Identify common faults caused by incorrect processing and notify operator if these occur 3.6 Rectify processing faults in accordance with operator's instructions 3.7 Notify the operator of any processing faults that cannot be rectified prior to further radiographs being processed 3.8 Label, date and file the radiograph mounting accurately and legibly 3.9 Mount and secure radiographs in correct anatomical position for viewing

Element:

4. Maintain stock of unexposed radiographic film and chemicals

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Store radiographic film, image receptors and chemicals in accordance with manufacturers' specifications 4.2 Maintain sufficient stock 4.3 Rotate film stock so that film is used before its expiry date

Element:

5. Assure the quality of dental radiographic processing

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Participate effectively in radiographic quality assurance programs 5.2 Monitor processing solutions for deterioration 5.3 Notify the operator when radiographs do not meet the quality criteria of the reference radiograph produced under optimum conditions 5.4 Collect and record all unacceptable radiographs that do not meet diagnostic standards due to processing error, and identify how processing can be improved 5.5 Dispose of waste chemicals safely in accordance with manufacturers' specifications and legislative requirements 5.6 Maintain and clean the imaging plate scanner according to organisation procedures

Learning Outcomes


  1. Prepare for dental radiography
  2. Prepare materials and equipment for dental radiography
  3. Process and mount dental radiographs
  4. Maintain stock of unexposed radiographic film and chemicals
  5. Assure the quality of dental radiographic processing 


Details of Learning Activities

N/A


Teaching Schedule

N/A


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

This course is offered as part of the HLT45015 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting RPL process and the HLT45015:C4385 Existing Skills and Knowledge Inventory and  HLT45015:C4385 RPL Guide is required to be completed


Assessment Tasks

RPL (Recognition of prior learning) requires students to collate a portfolio of evidence that demonstrates competency in this course.  This evidence can include:

  • previous study (both formal and informal)
  • work experience
  • life experience

Students will attend an interview with the assessor and once all of the documentation is submitted, the assessor will determine competency.


Assessment Matrix

The assessment tasks listed in this course guide address all the elements and criteria of the requirements of this course. 

Other Information

Further information can be found by clicking the link below

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit

Course Overview: Access Course Overview