HLT45021

Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Dental Radiography)

Achieve valuable skills and experience in dental assisting, specialising in radiography that will prepare you for a long-lasting and rewarding career in the dental health industry.

Advance your skills in oral healthcare with a Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Dental Radiography)

If you have excellent organisational and interpersonal skills with an interest in helping people, a Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Dental Radiography) opens an array of employment opportunities in healthcare work.

This nationally recognised qualification provides the knowledge, skills and experience required to provide an advanced level of assistance to dental practitioners in a clinical environment. With specialisation in dental radiography, you’ll also finish this course with the ability to apply for a radiation licence (applicable to your state), increasing your employability in the industry.

The HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Dental Radiography) is recommended for those interested in progressing their skillset past a Certificate III and gaining specialised experience and knowledge in dental radiography. You’ll complete a series of units that take you through a series of dental assistant duties such as how to sterilise equipment, interpret and apply medical terminology, practise correct work health and safety and take clinical photographs. This dental assistant radiation course also takes you through a series of radiography-focused units that equips you with the necessary skills to operate radiation producing and imaging equipment.

With a specialisation in dental radiography, this course allows graduates to complete their studies with a confident understanding of how to apply the principles of radiation biology and protection within a clinical setting. Statistics retrieved from Job Outlook demonstrate the demand for medical imaging professionals in Australia has grown strongly in the past five years and it’s expected the demand will increase even more so in the future. If you’ve been considering specialising in dental radiography, now is the perfect time to equip yourself with qualifications that will prepare you for a prosperous career pathway.

To enrol in the Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Dental Radiography), students are required to have completed a Certificate III in Dental Assisting or equivalent. This nationally recognised qualification will have you ready to enter the workforce in just one year’s time from commencing study.

*Source: joboutlook.gov.au

The HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Dental Radiography) is a Nationally Recognised course.

Eligibility Requirements

Education

Students’ skills and capabilities to undertake this training product will be assessed and advice on suitability will be provided during the pre-enrolment process.

Entry to this qualification is open to individuals who have achieved:

HLT31812 Certificate III in Dental Assisting or
HLT35015 Certificate III in Dental Assisting or
HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting or equivalent.

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

There are no mandatory workplace hours to complete this qualification. However, Students must have access to a dental practice, equipment for sterilisation, imaging equipment and a qualified supervisor i.e. a person who holds Certificate IV in Dental Assisting or a higher relevant qualification to complete their course.

Qualification

Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Dental Radiography)

Delivery

Online Course available

Length

The length of the course is up to 12 months

Study Load

Submit 1 unit of competency every 6 weeks to graduate in 12 months

Cost

Payment Options

Upfront Payment
Payment Plan

Course Outcomes

Graduates of a Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Dental Radiography) can expect a choice of employment opportunities to come their way. You’ll learn how to prep patients and assist dental workers in providing various treatments to the mouth, gums and teeth. There are many pathways you can take with a dental assistant radiography course and the skills you learn are also transferrable to other industries outside of dental health, making it a highly worthwhile course to study.

Dental Radiographer

Dental radiography (also referred to as X-rays) are used by dentists for several reasons, including to find bone loss, cavities and hidden bone structures. A dental radiographer is tasked with the responsibility of operating medical imaging technology for diagnostic and treatment purposes. Their primary purpose is to minimise the risk of radiation exposure to patients and technicians while still ensuring the images are of diagnostic quality.

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 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 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.

Delivery Options and Length

Online Course

Flexible online learning, meaning you can study whenever and wherever suits you through our online learning platform, My eCampus.

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

HLTSTE003

Sterilise loads

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 applies to individuals working under general supervision and within established procedures in a range of health service organisations, including hospitals and specialist sterilisation facilities.

HLTWHS003

Maintain work health and safety

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.

BSBMED301

Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to understand and respond to instructions; to carry out routine tasks and communicate with a range of internal/external clients in a medical environment; as well as use appropriate medical terminology. It applies to individuals who apply a broad range of competencies in various medical administration contexts. They may exercise discretion and judgment using appropriate knowledge to provide technical advice and support to a team.

HLTDEN0027

Take a clinical photograph

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

HLTDEN021

Apply the principles of radiation biology and protection in dental practice

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. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice. No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication. Dental radiography work must only be performed by a person with a radiation user licence granted by the relevant State/Territory regulatory authority under legislation.

HLTDEN022

Prepare to expose a prescribed dental radiographic image

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. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice. No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication. Dental radiography work must only be performed by a person with a radiation user licence granted by the relevant State/Territory regulatory authority under legislation.

HLTDEN023

Produce a prescribed dental radiographic image

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. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice. No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication. Dental radiography work must only be performed by a person with a radiation user licence granted by the relevant State/Territory regulatory authority under legislation.

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.

Entry to this qualification is open to individuals who have achieved:

HLT31812 Certificate III in Dental Assisting or
HLT35015 Certificate III in Dental Assisting or
HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting or equivalent.

Check the currency of HLT45021

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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