OVERVIEW
Introduction to HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Radiography Elective): Advancing Your Dental Assisting Career with Specialised Skills.
Certificate IV in Dental Assisting, which is a nationally recognized vocational qualification in Australia. It is a comprehensive program designed to provide dental assistants with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in their role.
The Certificate IV in Dental Assisting typically covers a wide range of topics related to dental assisting, including infection control, dental radiography, dental materials, oral health promotion, dental practice administration, and chairside assisting. The program combines theoretical learning with practical hands-on training to ensure students develop a strong foundation in dental assisting practices.
Are you a dental assistant looking to enhance your skills and expand your career opportunities in the dental industry? Look no further than the HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Radiography Elective), a comprehensive program designed to equip you with advanced knowledge and practical expertise in dental radiography.
Overview of HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Radiography Elective):
The HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Radiography Elective) is a nationally recognized qualification that builds upon the foundational skills of dental assisting. This program specifically focuses on the specialized field of dental radiography, providing you with the necessary expertise to perform dental X-rays and assist dentists in diagnostic procedures.
OUTCOMES
Key Program Outcomes:
- Advanced Radiography Skills: The radiography elective within the Certificate IV program equips you with the knowledge and practical skills required to perform dental radiographic procedures safely and accurately. You will learn about radiation physics, image production, radiographic interpretation, and quality assurance protocols.
- Hands-on Training: Our program emphasizes hands-on training, allowing you to practice radiography techniques under the guidance of experienced dental professionals. You will gain practical experience in capturing intraoral and extraoral radiographs, utilizing dental X-ray equipment, and implementing radiation protection measures.
- Patient Safety and Radiation Protection: Ensuring patient safety and implementing radiation protection measures are paramount in dental radiography. You will learn about radiation safety principles, infection control protocols, and techniques to minimize radiation exposure for both patients and staff. This knowledge will enable you to maintain a safe working environment in the dental practice.
- Expanded Career Opportunities: By completing the radiography elective, you will enhance your skill set and open doors to a broader range of career opportunities. With the ability to perform dental radiography, you may pursue positions in dental clinics, specialist practices, hospitals, or radiology centers. This specialized skill can also lead to increased job responsibilities and potential for career advancement.
- Practical Application and Supervised Placement: The program includes supervised workplace placement, providing you with the opportunity to apply your radiography skills in a real dental practice setting. This practical experience allows you to further refine your techniques, gain exposure to different clinical scenarios, and develop confidence in performing dental radiographic procedures.
- Professional Development and Networking: The Certificate IV program not only focuses on radiography skills but also covers essential aspects of dental assisting, such as infection control, patient management, and oral health promotion. You will develop strong communication skills, enhance your professionalism, and build valuable connections within the dental community.
Conclusion:
The HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Radiography Elective) offers a pathway for dental assistants to advance their careers and specialise in dental radiography. By acquiring specialized knowledge, practical skills, and the ability to perform dental X-rays, you will be well-equipped to meet the demands of modern dental practices. Join us on this exciting educational journey and take the next step towards expanding your professional horizons in dental assisting with a radiography specialization.
Completing Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Cert IV Dental Assisting) can lead to various outcomes and benefits for individuals pursuing a career in dental assisting. Here are some common outcomes:
Expanded knowledge and skills: Cert IV Dental Assisting provides a comprehensive understanding of dental assisting principles, practices, and procedures. It equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills in areas such as infection control, radiography, dental materials, oral health promotion, chairside assisting, and dental practice administration.
Enhanced employability: Obtaining Cert IV Dental Assisting can increase your employability and job prospects in the dental industry. This qualification demonstrates to potential employers that you have acquired the necessary competencies and training to excel as a dental assistant. It can open doors to a wide range of dental assisting positions in dental practices, hospitals, specialist clinics, or community health centers.
Career advancement opportunities: Cert IV Dental Assisting can provide a pathway for career advancement within the dental assisting field. With the advanced knowledge and skills gained through the program, you may be eligible for more specialized roles or responsibilities within dental practices. This can include expanded functions dental assisting (EFDA) or positions in areas such as orthodontics, oral surgery, endodontics, or pediatric dentistry.
Professional recognition: The completion of Cert IV Dental Assisting demonstrates your commitment to professional development and competence in the dental assisting field. This qualification is nationally recognized in Australia and may be required or preferred by employers as a standard for employment.
Continued education: Cert IV Dental Assisting can serve as a foundation for further education and career advancement in the dental field. It can provide a stepping stone for individuals interested in pursuing higher-level qualifications such as dental hygiene, dental therapy, or dental prosthetics.
Personal and professional growth: Undertaking Cert IV Dental Assisting allows individuals to develop their personal and professional skills. It fosters critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, effective communication, teamwork, and patient care skills. These transferrable skills can benefit individuals in their future career endeavors and personal growth.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Entry to this qualification is open to individuals who:
Have achieved any of the following qualifications:
- HLT31812 Certificate III in Dental Assisting or
- HLT35015 Certificate III in Dental Assisting or
- HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting or
- equivalent qualification
- Are 18 years of age and over
- Have successfully completed at least Australian high school year 10, or equivalent
- Have sound Language, Literacy and Numeracy skills (at least Year 10, or equivalent where suitability will be determined utilising Go Educate’s LLN Assessment Tool prior to enrolment)
- Have basic computer skills
- Have access to a suitable workplace where they can do their practical assessments
Learners who do not meet the LLN requirements of the course may still enroll in the course provided the enrolment has been endorsed by the trainer and corresponding additional support strategies have been put in place.
Dental radiography work must only be performed by a person with a radiation user license granted by the relevant State /Territory regulatory authority under the legislation.
Computer Hardware and software requirements
For the online part of the course, you’ll need regular access to:
- Computer: Laptop or desktop computer with working speakers or headphone points.
- Internet: High-speed internet such as Broadband or ADSL, T1/T2, fibre optic (Dial-up access is not recommended).
- Windows: Operating system – Windows 8 or above.
- MAC: Operating system – OS X 10.14 Mojave or later.
- Internet Browser: Google Chrome, or Microsoft Internet Explorer 11.
- Software: Flash, Adobe Reader, Microsoft Word
- Office Equipment: Printer and scanner to print and upload some of your assessments.
- Mobile Phone with Video Capability or Video Camera: Some assessments in your course may require you to take and submit videos of you undertaking tasks for assessment.
PATHWAYS
Qualification Pathways :
Students enrolled in this course may also choose to study other courses that will support them in their dental assisting skills, as well as training skills. Other options available for students may include the following qualifications:
- HLT47015 – Certificate IV in Sterilisation Services*
- TAE40116 – Certificate IV in Training and Assessment*
Graduates of this course may also consider enrolling in the following course to advance their careers and develop their skills in dental services:
- HLT55118 – Diploma of Dental Technology*
- a Bachelor’s degree in Dentistry*
Completion of HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Dental Radiography) may lead to the following role:
- Dental Assistant
- Dental Radiographer *Currently not being offered by Go Educate
UNITS
In HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting this course designed four specialized areas for your selection
HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting SPECIALISED in Dental Radiography - CORE UNITS
A.HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting specialized in Oral Health Education
Electives:
- HLTDEN018 – Implement an individual oral hygiene program
- HLTDEN024- Implement an individual oral hygiene program for older people
- HLTDEN025 – Implement an oral hygiene promotion program
B.HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting specialized in Oral Health Product Applications
Electives:
- HLTOH008 – Inform and support patients and groups about oral health
- HLTOH009 – Apply and use basic oral health products
- HLTOHC011 – Apply flouride varnish
C. HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting specialized in Clinical Photography
Electives:
- HLTDEN026 – Take impression for study models
- HLTDEN027 – Take a clinical photograph
- HLTDEN002 – Construct custom impression trays
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to follow correct procedures to select and operate sterilisation equipment, interpret steriliser function and parameters in the provision of sterilised reusable medical devices, appropriately load items for sterilisation, and to release sterilised items for distribution. This competency unit does not deal with ethylene oxide sterilisation.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to implement and monitor work health and safety (WHS) policies, procedures and work practices as part of a small work team.
This unit applies to workers who have a key role in maintaining WHS in an organisation, including duty of care for other workers.
DENTAL RADIOGRAPHY - ELECTIVE UNITS
This unit of competency describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to minimise the risk of radiation to the patient, practitioner and others during the exposure of a prescribed dental radiographic image. It also describes the quality assurance measures that must be undertaken to ensure all radiographs are of consistent diagnostic standard.
This unit applies to dental assisting work under the instruction and supervision of the dental practitioner.
This unit of competency describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to interpret a prescribed request for a dental radiographic image. It also includes the preparation of the patient for dental radiography and the selection of equipment requirements.
This unit applies to dental assisting work under the instruction and supervision of the dental practitioner.
This unit of competency describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to operate dental radiographic equipment and position the patient correctly to produce an intraoral or extraoral diagnostic radiographic image.
Where work relates to extraoral radiography this includes orthopantomogram (OPG) and may include lateral cephalograms for orthodontic radiographic work-ups and excludes cone beam images.
This unit applies to dental assisting work under the instruction and supervision of the dental practitioner.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to determine and analyse existing and required resources, their effective application and the accountability for their use.
The unit applies to individuals with a broad knowledge of business resources and well-developed skills to ensure adequate resources are available to perform the work of the organisation. They may have responsibility to provide guidance to, or delegate aspects of these tasks to others.
This unit describes the performance outcomes, 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 conditions of patients. This enables the candidate to respond appropriately to the clinical findings to initiate follow up oral health care.
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required by practitioners and dental assistants typically working in rural, remote and isolated areas or facilities that have knowledge and experience in oral health care, to apply fluoride varnish in line with prescribed treatment as outlined in an individualised oral health care plan and in accordance with relevant jurisdictional, legislative and regulatory requirements.
HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting specialised in Oral Health Education - CORE UNITS
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to follow correct procedures to select and operate sterilisation equipment, interpret steriliser function and parameters in the provision of sterilised reusable medical devices, appropriately load items for sterilisation, and to release sterilised items for distribution. This competency unit does not deal with ethylene oxide sterilisation.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to implement and monitor work health and safety (WHS) policies, procedures and work practices as part of a small work team.
This unit applies to workers who have a key role in maintaining WHS in an organisation, including duty of care for other workers.
HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting specialised in Dental Radiography - ELECTIVE UNITS
This unit of competency describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to implement an individualised oral hygiene program and promote oral health.
This unit applies to dental assistants and to other health care workers who are actively involved in promoting the general well-being of patients through promotion of healthy eating habits and good oral health.
This unit of competency describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to promote oral health for older people.
This unit applies to dental assistants and other health care workers who are actively involved in promoting the general well-being of older patients through the promotion of healthy eating habits and good oral health.
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to implement an oral health promotion program.
This unit applies to dental assistants and other health care workers who are actively involved in promoting general well-being through the promotion of healthy eating habits and good oral health.
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to implement an oral health promotion program.
This unit applies to dental assistants and other health care workers who are actively involved in promoting general well-being through the promotion of healthy eating habits and good oral health.
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to implement an oral health promotion program.
This unit applies to dental assistants and other health care workers who are actively involved in promoting general well-being through the promotion of healthy eating habits and good oral health.
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to implement an oral health promotion program.
This unit applies to dental assistants and other health care workers who are actively involved in promoting general well-being through the promotion of healthy eating habits and good oral health.
HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting specialised in Oral Health Product Applications - CORE UNITS
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to follow correct procedures to select and operate sterilisation equipment, interpret steriliser function and parameters in the provision of sterilised reusable medical devices, appropriately load items for sterilisation, and to release sterilised items for distribution. This competency unit does not deal with ethylene oxide sterilisation.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to implement and monitor work health and safety (WHS) policies, procedures and work practices as part of a small work team.
This unit applies to workers who have a key role in maintaining WHS in an organisation, including duty of care for other workers.
HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting specialised in Oral Health Product Applications - ELECTIVE UNITS
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to provide practical information and instruction to patients and groups to promote and support good oral health care practices. This enables the candidate to provide health promotion and practical demonstration and instruction of oral hygiene practices and techniques.
This unit applies to workers in a range of health and community services environments whose work roles provide them with an opportunity to promote and support good oral health care.
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to apply and use basic oral health products and provide assistance to patients in the use of those products as identified in an individualised oral health care plan.
This unit applies to workers whose work roles specifically include the application of identified oral health products in line with product guidelines and in compliance with all regulations related to the supply and use of regulated products, excluding fluoride varnish.
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required by practitioners and dental assistants typically working in rural, remote and isolated areas or facilities that have knowledge and experience in oral health care, to apply fluoride varnish in line with prescribed treatment as outlined in an individualised oral health care plan and in accordance with relevant jurisdictional, legislative and regulatory requirements.
The unit applies to dental assistants, registered Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health practitioners, registered nurses and registered enrolled nurses in primary health care settings in rural, remote and isolated areas where the work roles may require the application of fluoride varnish.
HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting specialised in Clinical Photography - CORE UNITS
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to follow correct procedures to select and operate sterilisation equipment, interpret steriliser function and parameters in the provision of sterilised reusable medical devices, appropriately load items for sterilisation, and to release sterilised items for distribution. This competency unit does not deal with ethylene oxide sterilisation.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to implement and monitor work health and safety (WHS) policies, procedures and work practices as part of a small work team.
This unit applies to workers who have a key role in maintaining WHS in an organisation, including duty of care for other workers.
HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting specialised in Clinical Photography - ELECTIVE UNITS
This unit of competency describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to take an accurate impression of teeth and their supporting structures for the construction of study models as prescribed by the dental practitioner.
This unit applies to dental assisting work under the instruction and supervision of the dental practitioner.
This unit of competency describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to take a clinical dental photograph under conditions that can be reproduced.
This unit applies to dental assisting work under the instruction and supervision of the dental practitioner.
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to construct special trays to accurately record oral tissues.
This unit applies to work in dental technology.
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to construct special trays to accurately record oral tissues.
This unit applies to work in dental technology.
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to construct special trays to accurately record oral tissues.
This unit applies to work in dental technology.
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to construct special trays to accurately record oral tissues.
This unit applies to work in dental technology.
DELIVERY SCHEDULE
- 26 weeks (including holidays)
- 24 weeks (excluding holidays)
Overall Course Duration Breakdown:
| APPROXIMATE AMOUNT OF TRAINING (IN HOURS) | 418 |
| APPROXIMATE ASSESSMENT TIME (IN HOURS) | 156 |
| APPROXIMATE LEARNING TIME (IN HOURS) | 190 |
| OVERALL VOLUME OF LEARNING (IN HOURS) | 764 |
| COURSE DURATION IN WEEKS* | 24 weeks |
*excluding holidays
Please see more detailed breakdown of tasks in the Sample Training and Assessment Schedule.
The course delivery includes three main delivery components:
1.Training
- All activities contributing to the amount of training
- All activities facilitated by the trainers where direct support is provided to learners
- These include but are not limited to:
- E-Learning through GoEducate’s LMS (includes reading materials with images, practice quizzes, etc)
- Online training sessions (6 hours/week)
- Face-to-face classroom training sessions (4 hours/week)
- Assessment feedback and coaching
- Online support
2.Learning
- All other non-assessment activities independently undertaken by learners
- These activities are self-paced and self-directed
- Trainers will provide instructions about learning activities learners may undertake.
- These include but are not limited to:
- Homework
- Research
3.Assessment
- All required assessment activities mapped to training package requirements
- These activities may be completed in class or as homework
- These include but are not limited to:
- Written knowledge assessments
- Projects
- Tasks based on simulated scenarios/ case studies
- Observation via demonstration, presentation or role play
- Observation via workplace tasks
- All assessment activities are mandatory for intermediate and advanced learners.
| Mode of Delivery : | ☒ – Blended (with face-to-face and distance components) |
| Context for Assessment : |
☒ – Training room/Institutional environment ☒ – Simulated environment (virtual workplace) |