Course Title: Assist with dental radiography

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: VE 2020

Class Number: All

Class Section: All

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

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

Campus: City Campus

Program: C3393 - Certificate III in Dental Assisting

Course Contact: Suzanne Dellas 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

Program Manager: Ms Rachael Starr

rachael.starr@rmit.edu.au

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


On completion of this course, you will be able to;

  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

Students will be involved in the following learning activities to meet requirements for this competency:

  • Face to Face classes
  • Written classroom tasks
  • Demonstration and classroom discussion
  • Facilitator led practical clinical demonstration
  • Group discussions
  • Participation in group activities based on simulated workplace exercises
  • Clinical practice, peer evaluation/feedback session/completion of practical worksheets
  • Online learning  via CANVAS
  • Self-managed research to support completion of Study Guides.
  • Students will be observed and assessed through their planned activities throughout the duration of the course


Teaching Schedule

As per Certificate III Timetable, which is issued as a hard copy on Induction Day and is also located in Canvas.


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Students will be able to access course information and learning materials through CANVAS.

CANVAS is an online learning resource with the clear instruction and guidance for each unit. Within CANVAS are course description, teaching schedule, assessments and all relevant information and due dates, resources and other materials required for completion of each unit of competency.

Additional materials may be provided in class and lists of relevant reference books, resources in the library and accessible Internet sites will be provided where possible. During the course, you will be directed to websites to enhance your knowledge and understanding of difficult concepts.


Overview of Assessment

The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:

• prepared at least 3 patients for dental radiographic imaging procedures

• consistently applied safe work practices for dental radiography work including:
- using protective equipment to minimise the risk of ionising radiations to self and patient
- correctly handling, storing and disposing of radiographic films and processing solutions receptors

• correctly processed, mounted and filed radiographic films and digital images on at least 3 occasions, including:
- applying the correct processing procedure
- implementing remedies for common processing faults
- recognising common processing errors
- handling digital receptors carefully
- attaching accurate, legible and complete records  

To be deemed competent you must demonstrate an understanding of all aspects required of the competency.   Regular attendance is necessary.  Assessment methods have been designed to measure your achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over multiple tasks and consist of theory and practical based tasks. 


Assessment Tasks

 

Assessment Task 1:

Workplace Assessment (Part A and B)

Part A is conducted post Phase 3 and part B is conducted post Phase 6. RMIT will contact the student and the Workplace Assessor for discussion and scheduling of the suitable time for this assessment. Student knowledge and skills will be observed in the workplace. Detailed information will be provided via Canvas and to students during their class attendance.

Students will attempt the workplace assessments under supervision of the assessor and they will be marked with either a S (Satisfactory) or NYS (Not Yet Satisfactory) according to the assessment guidelines and criteria outlined in the HLTDEN002 Assessment document. All assessment criteria must be successfully completed in order to achieve a satisfactory result.

Student will receive verbal feedback on the assessments at the end of the workplace assessment.

Assessment Task 2:

Mounting of Dental Radiographs

This is conducted on Day 4/Phase 4 at RMIT simulated dental teaching areas and student's knowledge and skills will be observed. Detailed information will be provided to students via Canvas and during their class attendance. 

All assessment criteria must be successfully completed in order to achieve a satisfactory result. Students will receive verbal feedback. 

Assessment Task 3:

Knowledge Assessment

This assessment will be issued on Day 2/Phase 5. Students may commence working on this assessment on this day while they are being assessed in the practical component of this unit.

Students will be required to log into CANVAS on this day to access the assessment as assessment will not be available prior to the scheduled date.

Assessment must be researched, completed and submitted via Canvas 4 weeks after Phase 5. The exact due date will be issued to each group.  

More details and assessment requirements will be provided on a day.

In order to achieve a Satisfactory result, students must complete ALL questions successfully. The feedback will be provided via CANVAS. 

Assessment Task 4:

  

Part A - Simulated Patient Management Practical Assessment

Part B - Simulated Manual Developing Practical Assessment

Part C - Mounting of Dental Radiographs

 

This assessment is conducted on Day 2/Phase 5 at RMIT simulated dental teaching areas and student's knowledge and skills will be observed. Detailed information will be provided to students via Canvas and during their class attendance.

In order to proceed with this assessment task, students must wear an appropriate clinical attire as per the assessment task requirements. 

All 3 parts of this assessment and ALL assessment criteria must be successfully completed in order to achieve a satisfactory result. Students will receive verbal feedback on the day.

To be deemed competent you must demonstrate an understanding of all required aspects of the competency. This will incorporate a variety of methods and include knowledge and skill based tasks and activities. Assessment methods have been designed to measure your achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over multiple tasks and you will be asked to personally demonstrate to your teacher/assessor the practical skills gained during this course to the relevant industry standards.

Assessment tasks will occur throughout this course and feedback will be provided at regular intervals.

You will need to obtain Satisfactory (S) in all individual assessment tasks before a final grade of CA (Competency Achieved) can occur.


Assessment Matrix

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

Other Information

All email communications will be sent to your RMIT email address and you must regularly check your RMIT emails.

 

Credit Transfer and/or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/enrolment/credit  

 

Study and learning Support: 
http://www.rmit.edu.au/studyandlearningcentre  

Equitable Learning Services (ELS):
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-and-facilities/student-support/equitable-learning-services 

 

Late submission: 
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/forms/assessment-forms



Special consideration: 
http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration 

 

Plagiarism: 
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/rights-and-responsibilities/academic-integrity

Course Overview: Access Course Overview