Course Title: Assist with dental radiography

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: VE 2021

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: Sue 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

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. 


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

Online lectiure via Collaborate Ultra in CANVAS

Simulated Practical Activities and Assessments




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


Overview of Assessment

You 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 you have:

• 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

Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed as
Competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in then workplace.


To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory
standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task.


You should refer to the assessment brief which is available through Canvas for full assessment criteria.

Assessment Task 1. Knowledge Questions

Assessment Task 2. Practical Demonstration and Incident Reports



Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are:


CA: Competency Achieved
NYC: Not Yet Competent
DNS: Did not Submit for Assessment


Assessment Matrix

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

Other Information

Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed as
Competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in then workplace.


To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory
standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task.


You should refer to the assessment brief which is available through Canvas for full assessment criteria.

Assessment Task 1. Workplace Assessment 

Assessment Task 2. Mounting Dental Radiographs

Assessment Task 3. Knowledge Assessment 

Assessment Task 4. Simulated Practical Assessment, Part A, B,C



Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are:


CA: Competency Achieved
NYC: Not Yet Competent
DNS: Did not Submit for Assessment


Course Overview: Access Course Overview