Learner Guides

Pathology and oral disease

This learner guide provides the dental assistant with the underpinning knowledge required to; know how infection is transmitted in the dental surgery; understand the reasons for implementing standard precautions during the treatment and care of all patients; have a basic understanding of the causes of dental diseases including dental caries and periodontal disease.

Comply with infection control policies and procedures in health work

This learner guide describes the skills and knowledge required for a dental assistant to comply with infection control procedures before, during and after oral health care procedures.

Participate in OHS processes

This learner guide describes the skills and knowledge required for a dental assistant to work safely and to follow workplace health and safety policies in dental practice.

Assist with oral health care procedures

This learner guides describe the skills and knowledge required for the dental assistant to prepare for and assit with oral health care procedures.

Assist with dental radiography

This learner guide describes the skills and knowledge required for the dental assistant to prepare the patient for dental radiography, to process, mount and file dental radiographs and to store and maintain processing equipment.

Assist with administration

This learner guide describes the skills and knowledge required for a dental assistant to assist with administration in dental practice.

Biology

This learner guide provides the dental assistant with the underpinning knowledge to; assist the operator without causing trauma to sensitive oral tissues; identify the major structures of the oral cavity; identify the arrangementof teeth forming the deciduous, mixed and permanent dentition; chart the results of a dental examination using FDI and Palmer notation.

Assist with oral health education

This learner guide provides the dental assistant with the underpinning knowledge to assist the operator provide oral health education and to encourage and motivate the patient to take an active role in maintaining oral health.

Dental materials

This learner guide provides the dental assistant with the underpinning knowledge required to select select and prepare appropriate materials for a given task in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications and the operator's requirements.

General Practice Dentistry

This learner guide provides the dental assistant with the underpinning knowledge necessary to assist with the full range of oral health care procedures required to maintain the patient's dental health.

Process reusable instruments and equipment in health work

This learner guide describes the skills and knowledge required for workers in the health care setting to clean and sterilise reusable instruments and equipment and to maintain associated environments.

Communicate and work effectively in health

This unit provides the introductory skills and knowledge necessary to work safely and effectively in a dental surgery with patients, staff, visitors, suppliers and others to meet established work requirements.