Course Title: Assist with dental radiography

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2010

Course Code: DENT5192C

Course Title: Assist with dental radiography

School: 155T Vocational Health and Sciences

Campus: City Campus

Program: C3202 - Certificate III in Dental Assisting

Course Contact: Ms Eleanor Schroeder

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9341 1412

Course Contact Email: eleanor.schroeder@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Marcella Sabo

Phone: 9341 1409

Fax: 9341 1400

marcella.sabo@rmit.edu.au

Sandra Torbica

Phone: 9341 1408

Fax: 9341 1400

sandra.torbica@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 40

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

Pre-requisites for this unit include:
• HLTIN301A Comply with infection control policies and procedures in health work
• HLTIN302A Process reusable instruments and equipment in health work
• HLTOHS200A Participate in OHS processes in the health industry
This unit should be assessed in conjunction with the following related competency unit:
• HLTDA303B Prepare for and assist with oral health care procedures
 

Course Description

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required for a dental assistant to assist the operator by preparing clients, equipment and materials for dental radiography, to protect themselves, the client, other members of the dental team and the public from the hazards associated with ionising radiation and to process and mount dental radiographs to diagnostic and quality assurance standards
All procedures are carried out in accordance with occupational health and safety policies and procedures, current infection control guidelines, Australian and New Zealand Standards, state/territory legislative requirements and organisation policy
 


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

HLTDA304B Assist with dental radiography

Element:

1. Prepare clients for dental radiography

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Position the client comfortably
1.2 Reassure the client and explain the procedure in language that is easily understood
1.3 Ask the client to remove items which may interfere with the radiographic examination and offer appropriate explanation
1.4 Ensure client, 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 clients
1.6 Select and prepare the correct radiographic film and film packet holders for the radiographic examination and make it available to the operator
1.7 Label exposed films accurately and legibly before the client leaves the surger

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 the date of preparation of solutions accurately
2.5 Arrange for servicing of equipment at the intervals specified by the manufacturer and Radiation Health
2.6 File equipment service records in a location within the surgery that can be readily accessed

Element:

3. Process and mount dental radiographs

Performance Criteria:

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

Element:

5. Assure the quality of dental radiographic processing

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Store films and chemicals separately and in accordance with manufacturer specifications
4.2 Maintain sufficient stock
4.3 Rotate film stock so that film is used before its expiry date

Element:

4. Maintain stock of unexposed radiographic film and chemicals

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 manufacturer specifications and legislative requirements

Learning Outcomes


1.1 Position the client comfortably
1.2 Reassure the client and explain the procedure in language that is easily understood
1.3 Ask the client to remove items which may interfere with the radiographic examination and offer appropriate explanation
1.4 Ensure client, 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 clients
1.6 Select and prepare the correct radiographic film and film packet holders for the radiographic examination and make it available to the operator
1.7 Label exposed films accurately and legibly before the client leaves the surgery

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 the date of preparation of solutions accurately
2.5 Arrange for servicing of equipment at the intervals specified by the manufacturer and Radiation Health
2.6 File equipment service records in a location within the surgery that can be readily accessed

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

4.1 Store films and chemicals separately and in accordance with manufacturer specifications
4.2 Maintain sufficient stock
4.3 Rotate film stock so that film is used before its expiry date

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 manufacturer specifications and legislative requirements
 


Details of Learning Activities

Teacher Lead Activities:
Classroom, tutorial instruction and practical instruction in theory and tasks associated with the topics including the use of computers and relevant software/s.
Practical simulations and demonstrations
Group discussion and activities

Student Centred Activities:
Participation in group activities based on simulated workplace exercises
including computer based workshop.
Self managed research
Maintain workplace relations using written, oral and electronic
communication


Teaching Schedule

Below is a guide to the under pining knowledge and skill that the learner will need to demonstrate. This schedule is a guide only to provide adequate time for the leaner to access the underpinning knowledge.
• Block 3 Day 4
Part 1
Presentation 1: Introduction to Dental Radiography
Discussion of PowerPoint Presentation, on the history, definition of dental radiography, the roles of the dental team (including the dentist, dental therapist , dental hygienist, dental assistant and administration staff and the principles of radiation.

Presentation 2: The production of radiographs
Discussion of PowerPoint Presentation, on the dental radiograph equipment, the image characteristics and preparation of the patient and protection of the dental team.

Presentation 3: The production of radiographs
Students in small groups create posters on safe, secure or emergency procedures that are relevant to the dental industry

Presentation 4: The production of radiographs
Discussion of PowerPoint Presentation, on infection control in dental radiography, types of radiographs (intra oral and extra oral) the processing of radiographs (including automatic, semi-automatic manual darkbox and darkroom) chemicals used), storage of dental radiography stock, developmental errors and the mounting and filing of dental radiographs

Block 3 day 5
Revision tutorial
Review of the learning Guide issued in Block 3 Day 4 and requirements of the workplace assessment.
Part 2
Practical Session students are allocated into seven groups and rotated around the seven bases and complete the base activities.
Base 1: Assisting the operator
Base 2: The automatic processing of dental radiographs
Base 3: The semi automatic processing of dental radiographs
Base 4: Manually processed dental radiographs
Base 5: The processing chemicals
Base 6: The developed radiograph
Base 7: Digital radiography


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Bird. D., & Robinson (2009) Torres & Ehrlich Modern Dental Assisting, 9th Ed. W.B. Saunders Company. Philadelphia.


References

RMIT online learning Hub www.rmit.edu.au/online
Library www.rmit.edu.au/library, Journals, Brochures, Pamphlets, Periodicals, Newspapers
• ADA “Standard Operating Procedures”
• ADA “The Practical Guides” 7th Edition


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

  • Completion of learning guide 
  • Evidence of clinical experience and workplace training
  • Written exam in block 4 with a 70% pass rate


Assessment Tasks

Variety of assessments including:

  • Completion of learning guide
  • evidence of clinical experience and workplace training
  • Written Assessment in block 4



Assessment Matrix

Refer to Student Handbook Program Guide

Other Information

Students must gain competency in all units of this course to obtain their Certificate III in Dental Assisting.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview