HLT35021

Certificate III in Dental Assisting

Make your start in a career that predicts a high rate of employment growth and prepare yourself with the necessary skills and training required to work as a dental assistant.

Get qualified in oral healthcare with a Certificate III in Dental Assisting

If you want to make a difference in people’s lives by helping them achieve a healthier smile and educate them on the importance of oral hygiene care, a career as a dental assistant might be perfect for you.

The HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting equips you with the required experience, training and expertise to work in the oral healthcare industry in a variety of dental assistant jobs. This dental assistant course reflects the role of workers who assist dental practitioners during oral healthcare procedures. From maintaining high standards of infection control to assisting with practice administration and supporting quality in the dental sector, the responsibilities of a dental assistant are all-encompassing and varied. With a Certificate III in Dental Assisting qualification, you’ll be successfully prepared to work in a clinical environment.

There are several career pathways possible once you’ve attained this qualification. Graduates are eligible to apply for positions in a variety of settings, including private dental practices (including specialist practices such as orthodontics) and public dental practices (like school dental clinics, community health centres and residential care facilities). You might work as a dental sterilisation nurse, dental therapy assistant or dental receptionist. If you’re hoping to progress your study with a HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting, this dental assistant course (or one of its superseded predecessors) is mandatory minimum requirement.

Delivered online with practical requirements of 350 hours, the Certificate III in Dental Assisting will ensure you’re qualified in just 12 months from commencing your studies. According to Job Outlook, there has been strong employment growth in the dental assistant sector in the past five years and this is expected to continue well into the next five years, meaning there is high demand and security for dental assistant jobs.

Dental assistants are highly sought after and well paid. A HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting will set you up with a long-lasting, successful career in the healthcare sector.

*Source: joboutlook.gov.au

The HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting is a Nationally Recognised course.

Eligibility Requirements

Education

Whilst there are no formal recognition of prior learning (RPL) or entry requirements mandated by the training package, students’ skills and capabilities to undertake this training product will be assessed and advice on suitability will be provided during the pre-enrolment process.

Minimum Age

You will need to be at least 16 years old. If you are under 18 your enrolment form will need to be signed by a parent or guardian.

Residency Status

You will need to be a permanent Australian resident or equivalent.

Computer Requirements

In order to successfully complete the online part of the dental assistant course you will need regular access to the following:

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
Internet Browser: Google Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Internet Explorer 11
MAC: Operating system - OS X 10.14 Mojave or later
Software: Flash, Adobe Reader, Microsoft Word (or Open Office which is free to download).

Work Placement

For mandatory work placement (350 hours, including an initial 50 hours completed in simulation), students must have access to a dental practice and a qualified supervisor i.e. a person who holds Certificate III in Dental Assisting or higher relevant qualification.

Qualification

Certificate III in Dental Assisting

Delivery

Online course, combined with 350 hours of practical work placement available

Length

The length of the course is up to 12 months

Study Load

Submit 1 unit of competency every 5 weeks to graduate in 12 months

Cost

Payment Options

Upfront Payment
Payment Plan

Course Outcomes

Once you’ve completed your dental assistant course, you’ll be qualified to apply for an exciting choice of dental assistant roles in both the private and public healthcare sector. The skills and knowledge gained from a HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting are transferrable to numerous careers. There’s no need to limit the opportunities that will be made available to you – these are just an example of the career outcomes possible with this course.

Dental Assistant

Dental assistants will assist dentists, hygienists and therapists with a mixture of dental procedures. Their responsibilities include but are not limited to prepping for procedures and cleaning up afterwards, assisting through the duration of the treatments (such as passing instruments and operating the suction apparatus), developing X-rays and carrying out general administrative duties.

Dental Therapy Assistant

As a registered healthcare professional, a dental therapy assistant specialises in the oral care of children and teenagers. Their main role is to provide help prepping young patients for examinations and treatments to improve productivity in the workplace. Dental therapy assistants focus on patient care and ensuring the patients feel comfortable and receive all the necessary information regarding their examination or procedure.

Dental Sterilisation Nurse

Dental sterilisation nurses play a pivotal role in the dental practice. They are responsible for cleaning the instruments used in procedures, keeping the environment clean and adhering to strict infection control guidelines. The proper sterilisation of equipment is an essential part of dentistry and it’s the dental sterilisation nurse’s job to ensure they provide their patients with the highest quality dental care.

Dental Receptionist

A dental receptionist ensures the dental practice operates smoothly and efficiently. Their responsibilities are wide and varied, ranging from being the first point of contact with patients, managing incoming calls, scheduling appointments, assisting patients with forms and advising them of policies, general administration, handling test results and communicating with supply vendors. They need to be highly organised with fantastic interpersonal skills.

Dental Hygienist Assistant

With a focus on promoting oral health and preventing periodontal disease, a dental hygienist assistant assists dental hygienists and dentists in a broad range of procedures. The workload is highly interesting and the day-to-day tasks often vary. Their duties include assisting with check-ups and teeth cleaning as well as being an integral part of patient education on proper dental care and preventative care.

Delivery Options and Length

Online course, combined with 350 hours of practical work placement

Students may need to undertake a Working with Children check to meet individual work placement employer requirements.

We will assist you in organising a work placement location of your choosing.

The length of the course is up to: 12 months

Cost & Payment Options

Upfront Payment

Payment Plan

Your course fee includes the delivery and assessment of your qualification, your study materials (including all resources) and ongoing support from our Education Team.

Upfront payment All course costs can be paid in total via VISA/MasterCard or bank deposit.

Payment plan Paid via a series of regular weekly or fortnightly instalments.

Course fees include course delivery and assessment, study materials and dedicated student support services. Please note this course does not qualify for assisted government funding.

Online course, combined with 350 hours of practical work placement

CHCCOM005

Communicate and work in health or community services

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, management and other industry providers. This unit applies to a range of health and community service contexts where workers may communicate face-to-face, in writing or using digital media and work with limited responsibility under direct or indirect supervision.

CHCDIV001

Work with diverse people

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work respectfully with people from diverse social and cultural groups and situations, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. This unit applies to all workers.

HLTDEN015

Prepare for and assist with dental procedures

This unit of competency describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to prepare the dental surgery including equipment, instruments and materials, for dental procedures and assist the practitioner during dental procedures. This unit applies to dental assisting work under the instruction and supervision of the dental practitioner. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.

HLTDEN016

Assist with dental radiography

This unit of competency describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required 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 under the instruction and supervision of the dental practitioner. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.

HLTDEN017

Assist with administration in dental practice

This unit of competency describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required for a dental assistant to assist the practitioner by managing appointments to suit the patient and the organisation, recording and reconciling payments, and maintaining patient records. This unit applies to dental assistants who assist with administration in dental practice. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.

HLTINF001

Comply with Infection Prevention and Control Policies and Procedures

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to follow organisational infection prevention and control procedures, including implementing standard and transmission-based precautions and responding to infection risks. This unit applies to individuals working in health and direct client care contexts.

HLTINF002

Process reusable medical devices and equipment

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to clean, sterilise and package reusable medical devices and equipment. This unit applies to workers in office based health practice settings such as general practitioner (GP) surgeries, dental practices and other environments where a limited range of sterilisation equipment may be available. They follow established procedures and work under general supervision.

HLTWHS001

Participate in workplace health and safety

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required for workers to participate in safe work practices to ensure both their own health and safety and that of others. The unit applies to all workers who require knowledge of workplace health and safety (WHS) to carry out their own work, either under direct supervision or with some individual responsibility.

HLTAID011*

Provide First Aid

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide a first aid response to a casualty in line with first aid guidelines determined by the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) and other Australian national peak clinical bodies. The unit applies to all persons who may be required to provide a first aid response in a range of situations, including community and workplace settings. Specific licensing/regulatory requirements relating to this competency, including requirements for refresher training should be obtained from the relevant national/state/territory Work Health and Safety Regulatory Authorities. * This course contains the unit, HLTAID011Provide first aid, which must be completed through an external RTO. Foundation Education has an agreement in place with Red Cross Australia (RTOID 3605) which allows students to receive training for this unit at a reduced price. Please note that the cost of this external training is not included in any of your course fees. Upon completion, you will need to submit a copy of your first aid certificate in order for us to process a Credit Transfer against this unit on your student record. If you have chosen your own third-party provider, you must submit a certified copy of your certificate. If you have undertaken training with Red Cross Australia, you must forward Foundation Education the email you receive which contains the electronic copy of your certificate.

HLTDET001

Construct models

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to construct models from impressions of the patient’s maxillary or mandibular jaws. This unit applies to work in dental technology.

There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.

Check the currency of HLT35021

Recognition of Prior Learning

Given that some students may already be able to demonstrate their competence in some units, a recognition of prior learning (RPL) assessment process may be available to students to recognise skills and knowledge that may have been gained through formal and informal training and/or learning, work experience and life experience.

Why choose us?

Student Testimonial

Rachel Withers, dental graduate

I started my placement four weeks ago roughly and was offered a full-time job within the practice.

Flexible Online Study
All of our courses are delivered online, giving you the flexibility to choose your course length.
Dedicated Student Support
Our industry experienced Technical Advisors, Assessors and Support Officers will support you from enrolment through to graduation.
Industry-relevant Courses
Course material is developed in consultation with industry experts to equip you with job-ready skills.
Nationally Recognised Training
All of our courses are Nationally Recognised and accredited.

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