Certificate IV in Dental Assisting

Certificate IV in Dental Assisting - HLT45021

VOCATIONAL

Play an essential role in the oral health of dental patients.

Student type:
Learning mode:
On campus and blended
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
Part-time 1 year
Next intake:
Not applicable
Location:
Melbourne City
Learning mode:
On campus and blended
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
Not applicable
Fees:

Not applicable

Next intake:
Not applicable
Location:
Not applicable

Overview

Build the skills and knowledge you need to educate people about their oral health with the Certificate IV in Dental Assisting.

Learn how lifestyle factors including diet, smoking and dental routines can influence the health of individuals, and offer guidance and advice to patients in private and public dental practices.

In this practical certificate, you'll be guided by qualified dentists, dental hygienists and dental therapists working at Dental Health Services Victoria (DHSV), and will have the opportunity to apply your new skills to real world scenarios and patients right away.

Upon completion of this qualification, you will be able to continue your career as a dental assistant, with the practical and professional knowledge to be able to educate your patients about maintaining optimal dental health between appointments.

*This is a Free TAFE priority course. Check your eligibility.

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.

Details

As a student of the Certificate IV in Dental Assisting, you'll build hands-on skills at the Royal Melbourne Dental Hospital in Carlton under the supervision of licensed dental professionals.

You'll learn through a combination of face-to-face classes, lectures, and practical work placements.

To help build your professional capabilities, you'll study in dental simulation clinics, and work with industry professionals to offer advice and education to members of the community.

This qualification reflects the role of workers who provide an advanced level of assistance to the dentists, specialists, dental hygienist, dental prosthetist, dental therapist, oral health care therapist and dental hygienists during oral health care procedures to help maintain high standards of infection control, assist with the oral health education of patient in the dental sector.

Blended learning options

Courses offered as part of blended learning programs include a meaningful blend of online, on-campus, and workplace based learning tailored to the type of study you undertake. This learning is active, prioritising tasks that involve exploration and development of skills and knowledge through interaction and engagement.

Online aspects provide positive benefits such as flexibility and adaptability using digital activities and materials, while also strengthening the interaction and connection with timetabled and on-campus experiences such as tutorials, practicals, or workshops.

Students of this certificate will work alongside Dental Health Services Victoria (DHSV) and will learn from dental professionals at the Royal Melbourne Dental Hospital in Carlton.

The training comprises 974 hours of structured activities and 274 hours of unstructured activities.

Face-to-face classes are held over two consecutive days each month.

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this diploma and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.

In this certificate, you will complete two compulsory subjects that cover important topics, including workplace health and safety and sterilisation of equipment.

You will also undertake six elective subjects that will teach you how to promote cultural safety, recognise and respond to oral health issues, implement oral hygiene programs for a range of clients and implement oral health programs.

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

Certificate IV in Dental Assisting
Program code: C4418
National curriculum code: HLT45021

Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Certificate IV in Dental Assisting
City Campus
1 year
C4418
Location
City Campus
Duration
1 year
Plan code
C4418
CRICOS

Career

As a qualified oral health educator, you'll be able to apply your new knowledge to your career as a dental assistant, and provide valuable advice to dental patients in public and private dental health settings.

Admissions

You need to satisfy all of the following academic (entry) requirements to be considered for entry into this course.

AND

  • be currently employed as a Dental Assistant.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

Pathways

Understanding pathways

Undertaking a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree can help you meet the entry requirements for your preferred degree. These qualifications often provide credit, reducing the duration of your bachelor degree.

You must meet the entry requirements to gain access to this course. Please contact Study@RMIT to discuss your options.

Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

This program has many courses in common with the Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Dental Radiography), allowing graduates to receive significant credit if they successfully apply for entry to the C4419 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Dental Radiography).

Fees

Free TAFE for priority courses

The Victorian Government is currently waiving tuition fees for this program for students who meet eligibility requirements for government subsidised places.

Visit Free TAFE for priority courses for further information on what this means and whether you may be eligible.

If you have any questions you can contact Study@RMIT.

The tuition fees below will apply if you are not receiving a Free TAFE fee waiver.

2023 fees

The tuition fees you will pay for this program will depend on whether you are offered a Victorian Government subsidised place or a full-fee place. To find out if you are eligible for a government subsidised place, follow the steps at How to check if you are eligible.

  • 2023 government subsidised place (with concession): AU$800* per annum
  • 2023 government subsidised place (without concession): AU$4,000* per annum
  • 2023 full-fee place: AU$8,500* per annum

*Fees shown are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.

Fee finder

Use our fee finder to get an estimate of your fees for this program.

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$326 maximum fee for 2023.
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

Annual fee adjustment

The student tuition fees as displayed by the fee finder are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

Eligibility Exemption criteria

**The Victorian Government is currently waiving three (3) eligibility criteria around prior qualifications. This means that more people who want to study a vocational education program at RMIT, and who have studied previously, will be able to access a government subsidised place in a program. Find out how to check your eligibility

Payments and refunds

For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2023 is $326. 

For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.

You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.

You may be entitled to apply for a fee concession or exemption if you are in a Victorian Government subsidised place and you meet the eligibility criteria.

If your application for a fee concession is approved, you will be charged 20% of the standard government subsidised tuition fee for your program. You will also be charged a lower rate on your student services and amenities fee (SSAF).

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information?

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.

Sorry, this program is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa.

If you hold a different visa type, you may be eligible. Please contact Study@RMIT for more information.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.