HLT45015

Certificate IV in Dental Assisting - Radiography Specialisation

Become a Dental Assistant, specialising in radiography procedures

Expand your dental career with specialist radiography skills

Medical Imaging Professionals rose by 63.7% in the last ten years and it’s expected that this growth will continue to increase over the next five years,* According to Job Outlook, as published by the Australian Government. If you’ve considered pursuing a career in Dental Assisting, starting with the Certificate IV in Dental Assisting – Radiography Specialisation will equip you with the skills and knowledge to operate radiation producing and imaging equipment.

The Certificate IV in Dental Assisting will teach you how to assist with oral health care procedures and administration processes in a dental practice. You will also learn how to clean, sterilise and package reusable medical devices and equipment, and comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures as a qualified Dental Assistant.

With a focus on enabling you to specialise in radiography, you will graduate with a solid understanding of how to apply the principles of radiation biology and protection in a dental practice. In addition, you will gain the skills required to expose and produce a prescribed dental radiographic image.

Equipping yourself with these specialist radiography skills is a great way to set you up for a long-term career in the dental sector. You could work long-term as a Dental Assistant, or use your experience of radiography as a starting point for a career in medical imaging.

Once you graduate from the Certificate IV in Dental Assisting – Radiography Specialisation, you will be qualified to assist Dentists undertaking radiography procedures, in addition to your general dental assisting duties. You could also work as a Dental Sterilisation Nurse, Dental Receptionist or Treatment Coordinator.

Made up of both theory and practical components, this nationally recognised course will expose you to 300 hours of practical work placement in a working dental clinic, helping you to gain knowledge, skills and practical experience in a working environment.

You will be required to produce and show evidence of 30 simulated images before you can start practicing on members of the public (patients). Your Dental surgery may have access to models and manikins for you to work on for your simulation. If they do not have any manikins to work on or if you can’t get 30 friends, family or colleagues to practice on we can help. We have a Manikin (Manni) that we can send out to your practice for a short period of time. The Manikin would be able to be temporarily clamped to a chair or table for use.

Speak to us about the support we offer throughout your work placement application process.

* Source: Joboutlook.gov.au

This is a Nationally Recognised course.

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Eligibility Requirements

Education

You will need to have completed year 12, or equivalent. Equivalency can be demonstrated by one of the following:

A qualification at Certificate II level or higher OR
2 years of industry experience in a role that requires the use of written documentation and communication.

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 complete the on-line part of the 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 or cable

(Dial-up access will be significantly slower and is not recommended)

Windows : Operating system – Windows XP or Vista 7 or above

Internet Browser – Internet Explorer 7 or higher or the latest version of Google Chrome

MAC : Operating system: OS X 10.4 or later

Internet Browser – latest version of Google Chrome

Software: Flash, Adobe Reader, Microsoft Word (or Open Office which is free to download)

Work Placement

You will be required to source a work placement with a registered and fully equipped Dental Practice which must be approved with Foundation Education, prior to attending your placement.

Qualification

Certificate IV in Dental Assisting - Radiography Specialisation

Delivery

Online combined with 300 hours of practical placement available

Length

Up to 12 months

Study Load

Submit 1 unit of competency every 2 weeks to graduate in 12 months, plus 300 hours of practical placement

Cost

Payment Options

Upfront Payment
Payment Plan

Course Outcomes

Once you’ve completed your Certificate IV in Dental Assisting, you’ll be able to assist a Dentist, Dental Hygienist or Dental Therapist with health care procedures and assist with practice administration and maintaining high standards of infection control. You could also gain employment as a:

Dental Assistant

Help Dentists perform dental procedures and make sure patients are comfortable and cared for.

Dental Sterilisation Nurse

Work within the sterilising department, reprocessing instruments and maintaining equipment.

Dental Receptionist

Perform dental administration duties, including booking appointments, greeting patients and processing payments.

Treatment Coordinator

Coordinate and discuss treatment options with patients.

Delivery Options and Length

Online combined with 300 hours of practical placement

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 combined with 300 hours of practical 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.

BSBCUS401

Coordinate implementation of customer service strategies

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to advise, carry out and evaluate customer service strategies. It applies to individuals who have well developed skills and a broad knowledge of customer service strategies for addressing customer needs and problems, and who may provide guidance or delegate work related tasks to others.

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.

HLTDEN003

Assist with administration in dental practice

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required for a dental assistant to assist the operator by managing appointments to suit the patient and the organisation, recording and reconciling payments, and maintaining patient records.

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

HLTDEN001

Prepare for and assist with oral health care procedures

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required for a dental assistant to assist the operator by preparing the dental surgery including preparing necessary equipment, instruments and materials for oral health care procedures, and to assist the operator during the delivery of these procedures.

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.

HLTINF003

Implement and monitor infection prevention and control policies and procedures

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide information about infection prevention and control procedures, integrate those procedures into work practices and monitor workplace performance.

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.

HLTDEN002

Assist with dental radiography

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required for a dental assistant to prepare patients for dental radiography. It also describes the skills and knowledge to process and mount conventional dental radiographs.

HLTDEN007

Apply the principles of radiation biology and protection in dental practice

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to minimise the risk of radiation to the patient, the operator and others during the exposure of a prescribed dental radiographic image. It also describes the quality assurance measures necessary to ensure all radiographs are of consistent diagnostic standard.

HLTDEN008

Prepare to expose a prescribed dental radiographic image

This unit of competency describes the 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.

HLTDEN009

Produce a prescribed dental radiographic image

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to operate dental radiographic equipment and position the patient correctly to produce an intraoral and extraoral diagnostic radiographic image. Where work relates to extraoral radiography this includes orthopantomogram and may include lateral cephalograms (for orthodontic radiographic work-ups) and excludes cone beam radiography.

* HLTAID003

Provide first aid

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide a first aid response to a casualty. The unit applies to all workers who may be required to provide a first aid response in a range of situations, including community and workplace settings. *This course contains a core unit, HLTAID003 Provide 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. Red Cross Australia is a third party training provider who conduct training and assessment services on behalf of Foundation Education. 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.

There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.

Check the currency of HLT45015

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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