Course Title: Assist with dental radiography

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2013

Course Code: DENT5272C

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

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:

HLTDA304C Assist with dental radiography

Element:

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

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

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

 


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 bases, to practice film processing and mounting and discuss their role in assisting with dental radiography and quality assurance.
5. Self managed research and completion of written study guide in class activity 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 2 day 5 - 3 hours. Element 2, 3 ,4
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. Facilitator to provide classroom instruction on how to access HLTDA304B workbook 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 workbook 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 3 day 4 - 7 hours
1. Facilitator led power point presentation
2. Facilitator led classroom discussion
3. Supervised practical small group activity - students rotate through bases, to practice film processing and mounting and discuss their role in assisting with dental radiography.
4. Self managed research and completion of written study guide in class activity.
Block 5 day 2 - 1.5 hours
1. Written assessment - ( see assessment matrix as listed below)
2. Practical assessment
Total Nominal Hours = 40 hours
 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Bird. D & Robinson.D - (2011) Torres and Ehrlich Modern Dental Assisting 10th Edition - Elsevier

9781437717297

Scheller. C - (2006) Basic Guide to Dental Instruments 2nd edition - Blackwell UK

9781405133791

Haines. J - (2012) Emergency First Aid; 12th Edition Australian First Aid


References

Australian Dental Association Inc (2012) ADA Guidelines for Infection Control, Document available at http://www.ada.org.au

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 webs


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

Written asessment and practical component comprising multiple choice questions covering the five elements listed above.
Pass mark is 70%
The student is to provide third party evidence and verification of training.
 


Assessment Matrix

Formative: inclass practical and study activity
Summative: written/practical assessment
 

Other Information

Assessment Policy 2012

Consequences of NOT completing a written assessment
by the due date (DNS)
• A student may apply via the Program Co-ordinator for an extension of up to 7 days from the original date. (ref: Program handbook)
• Failure to submit without an application for extension or special consideration will result in a record of “Not yet competent” and re-enrolment will be required to complete the unit.
• For extensions longer than 7 days: Without a formal “granted” response from RMIT University to a student’s application for special consideration, the assessment outcome will be recorded as NYC (Not yet competent.)
• Re-enrolment in the unit will follow
• Will impact on completing the program
• If the unit is a pre-requisite for another eg: HLTIN403C/HLTOHS300B, withdrawal will be required. If this occurs after census date then fees will still be required to be paid.
• Re enrolment in more than one unit may be required to complete the program

Consequences of NOT undertaking an exam
on the scheduled date (DNS)
• Without a formal “granted” response from RMIT University to an application for special consideration, it will be recorded as NYC (Not yet competent.)
• Re-enrolment in the unit
• Will impact on completing the program
 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview