Course Title: Assist with dental radiography

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2011

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

61 3 9341 1409

marcella.sabo@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 surgery

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

1.Facilitator led power point presentation

2.Facilitator led classroom discussion

3.Practical demonstration of preparation of the client for dental radiography, preparing equipment and materials for dental radiography, processing and mounting dental radiographs

4.Supervised practical small group activity - students rotate through 7 bases,  to practice and discuss their role in assisting with dental radiography.

5. Self managed research and completion of written assignment to support underpinning knowledge and skills and to support preparation for written assessment.

6. Students may be required to outsource some work experiences to another dental practice to assist in their learning

7. RMIT Blackboard C3202 program access to Australian Government, Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, Code of Practice & Safety Guide, Radiation Protection in Dentistry and www.health.vic.gov.au/environment/radiation/legislation.htm website.


Teaching Schedule

Block 3 day 4 - 7 hours

1. Facilitator led power point presentation

2. Facilitator led classroom discussion

3. Practical demonstration on the preparation of the client for dental radiography, preparing equipment and materials for dental radiography, processing and mounting dental radiographs

4. Supervised practical small group activity - students rotate through 7 bases, to practice and discuss their role in assisting with dental radiography. Please note: students are not permitted to participate in the practical small group activity unless they wearing personal protective equipment, including a face mask, gloves, glasses and protective footwear. Hair must be tied back and nails short and free of polish.

5. Facilitator to provide classroom instruction on how to access HLTDA304B Assignment and Power Point presentation and related learning activities via Blackboard C3202 program.

Between block attendances - 31 hours

Student to undertake work placed learning and clinical experience in dental radiography including manual darkroom/darkbox, semi automatic/ automatic and digital radiography processes and to collect third party evidence of training in these areas.

Students to undertake self managed research and study to support completion of the written assignment and consolidate underpinning knowledge for successful completion of this unit of comptency.

Please note: students may need to undertake clinical experience at a facility outside their usual place of employment to gain the skills and underpinning knowledge required to meet all Elements/Learning Outcomes for Unit HLTDA304B. (Please refer to above listed Eleaments/Learning Outcomes for Unit HLTDA304B)

Block 4 day 2 - 2 hours

1. Written assessment - 2 hours ( see assessment matrix as listed below)

Total Nominal Hours = 40 hours


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Bird, Robinson (2009) Modern Dental Assisting 9 th edition.

Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear safety Agency - Code of Practice & Safety Guide, Radiation Protection in Dentistry (radiation protection series no.10)

ADA Guidelines for Infection Control document 2008

MSDS (material safety data sheets)


References

www.health.vic.gov.au/environment/radiation/legislation.htm  


Other Resources

www.rmit.edu.au RMIT Blackboard C3202 program

www.rmit.edu.au/library


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

Written asessment comprising multiple choice questions covering the five elements listed above.

Pass mark is 70%

Pre requisite requirement of the fully completed word processed assignment, including photographic evidence of training to industry standards, evidence of clinical experience, third party evidence and verification of training.


Assessment Matrix

Other Information

A PX result for the written assessment is acheived with a result of 70% or above

Failure to submit a fully completed pre requisite assignment by the due date of two weeks prior to day one of block 4.

1. Student will not be permitted to undertake the written assessment  on day 2 of block 4

Failure to provide adequate evidence reflecting expected industry standards of work place training and experiences via photographic evidence and third party authenticated documentation.

1. Student will not be permitted to undertake the written assessment on day 2 of block 4

Failure to acheive 70% in the written assessment will result in an NYC and is managed as follows:

1. Attaining 60-69% will require the student to undertake an oral supplentary via appointment with the program coordinator withi the enrolment period

2. Attaining 0-59% will require the student to attend additional classwork and/or tutorial undertake supplementary learning guide, additional work experiences (must be evidenced) and undertake a supplementary oral or written assessment to a 70% minimum requirement.

Failure to submit the pre requisite assignment  and undertake the written assessment will result in the student not completing the unit. A re enrolment including additional fees will be required for completion.

Students may apply for Special Consideration as per the information provided in the student handbook via the RMIT Hub @ http://.www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration if they believe their ability to complete assessment for this unit, by the submission date, has been affected by factors beyond their control. Special Consideration is not automatically granted on application.

Students must present their Student Identification Card to RMIT assessor to undertake assessment.

Prerequisite for written assessment:

1. Attendance and participation to block 3 day 4 classwork as scheduled in the students RMIT training Plan or attendance to class work as resceduled by the program coordinator.

2. Submission of a fully completed word processed HLTDA304B assignment including photographic evidence of training to industry standards, evidence of clinical experience, third party evidence and verification of training.

To Acheive a CA (competency acheived) resultin this unit HLTDA304B ALL of the above listed criteria  must be met by the student in accordance with the Elements/Learning Outcomes for unit HLTDA304B. See Student Handbook for further reference.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview