Course Title: Recognise and respond to oral health issues

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: DENT5845C

Course Title: Recognise and respond to oral health issues

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

Campus: City Campus

Program: C3393 - Certificate III in Dental Assisting

Course Contact: Ms. 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

 

 

Vocational Educator: 

Ms. Eleanor Schroeder

eleanor.schroeder@rmit.edu.au

 

Nominal Hours: 30

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 describes the skills and knowledge required to identify variations and recognise oral health issues through a visual check, observation of patient behaviour and habits, signs and symptoms and physical condition of patients. This enables the candidate to respond appropriately to the clinical findings to initiate follow up oral health care.

This unit applies to workers in a range of health and community services environments where their work role requires them to recognise and respond to oral health issues.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards for maintaining infection control, and industry codes of practice.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

HLTOHC001 Recognise and respond to oral health issues

Element:

1. Identify variations in patient behaviour and habits

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify opportunities to observe patient behaviour, physical functions, capabilities and habits that may indicate oral health issues or associated pain or discomfort   1.2 Observe, listen for self-reports and question patient and family/or carer to determine whether the patient is experiencing pain or discomfort that may be associated with oral health issues   1.3 Access relevant information on contributing factors that may produce variation from normal behaviour

Element:

2. Undertake basic visual oral check and questioning

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Obtain consent from the patient to conduct basic visual oral check and questioning from patient and/or family/carer   2.2 Ensure comfort of patient by developing trust and rapport, adapting environment and optimal time based on patient needs   2.3 Provide support for patient’s head or chin if necessary to enhance visual access without creating discomfort for the patient   2.4 Seek assistance from patient to open their own mouth to limit hand contact inside the mouth   2.5 Prepare and perform basic visual oral checks in line with own work role and use of standard precautions   2.6 Identify signs and symptoms of oral health issues that may indicate variation from normal and actively listen to and be aware of self-reports

Element:

3. Follow up and promote ongoing oral health care

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Complete documentation and reporting processes, using information from patient, and/or family/carer or other relevant people as well as own observations in relation to oral health issues   3.2 Discuss oral health issues with patient and/or carer in line with organisation policies and procedures and respecting patient priorities and choices   3.3 Take appropriate action within work role, including liaising with supervisor in consultation with patient to ensure appropriate referral occurs   3.4 Use appropriate communication strategies to provide information relevant to promoting and maintaining good oral health   3.5 Provide instruction to support patients to take a self-care approach to oral health in line with individual needs where possible   3.6 Identify and address key barriers to management or self-management of oral health   3.7 Review and monitor oral health issues


Learning Outcomes


 1.  Identify variations in patient behaviour and habits

 2. Undertake basic visual oral check and questioning

 3. Follow up and promote ongoing oral health care


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 • 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 assessments. • Students will be observed and assessed through their planned activities throughout the duration of the course

 


Teaching Schedule

As per Certificate III in Dental Assisting 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:

  • performed a visual oral health check on 5 patients, including:
  • identified any signs and symptoms related to oral health care issues
  • gathered relevant information from visual check and questioning to initiate appropriate follow up oral health care
  • used appropriate manual handling techniques when working with patients with special care needs or mental health condition

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 1

Simulated practical case studies

This is a student to student activity whereby each student is to provide oral hygiene advice and instruction to 10 different “patients” in a laboratory, simulating the workplace context.

This assessment will be over 5 sessions in phase 6 whereby for each “patient” there will be a case scenario provided for the student to identify oral health needs, provide instruction and assistance with appropriate plaque control techniques, advice on a range of oral health products and when and how to use, and suitable oral health aids appropriate to the patient’s individual needs, any smoking cessation support and advice, sports injury prevention advice, and dietary advice.

Instruction on oral hygiene of various fixed and removable dental appliances, natural dentitions for various ages and circumstances will be expected. There will be a written task to report on “patient” activities including the rationale of oral hygiene practices.

 

Assessment 2

Oral presentation

The student will be required to investigate a clinical patient at their workplace using principles of confidentiality and privacy to demonstrate their own awareness of good oral health and that of the patient.

The student will consider factors that have impacted on the oral health of the patient including the patient’s beliefs and motivations toward their oral health. The student is to identify the oral health care planned for the patient by the practitioner including oral hygiene products and aids suitable for the patient, any smoking cessation support and advice, sports injury prevention advice, and dietary advice. The information will be submitted in the form of a PowerPoint presentation to the class in phase 6.

 

Assessment 3

Clinical log book

The student is to provide evidence that they have provided effective oral hygiene instructions and advice on 3 different patients in their workplace following a prescribed oral health care plan, using relevant toothbrushing techniques, advice on how to use oral care home products including those for dry mouth, and advice on care of fixed and removable appliances. Advice can also include smoking cessation support, sports injury prevention strategies, and the rationale behind oral hygiene practices.

 

The student will be required to have an appropriate workplace supervisor as their mentor and who will provide written feedback in the log book of the observed activities conducted by the student. The student will also be required to write up a self-assessment template of 2 of the 3 patients to reflect on their learning.

 

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


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 (at least three times a week).

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