Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
The seven veterinary dentistry disciplines are:
periodontics
endodontics
restorative dentistry
oral surgery
prosthodontics
orthodontics
exotic animal dentistry.
Workplace health and safety risks when working with animals may include:
animal bites, kicks, scratches and crush injuries
biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal
handling of chemicals and medicines
gas leakage
inhalation of aerosol particles
intraocular contamination
manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting
needle pricks and cuts from other sharps
release of infective agents (animal and human)
slippery or uneven work surfaces
zoonoses.
Type of positioning may include:
intraoral
extraoral.
Type of film may include:
screen and non-screen (e.g. dental) film.
Preparing radiographic equipment may include:
preparation of:
automatic processor and film
chair side darkroom
radiography machine
room
screens.
Personal protective equipment may include:
safety equipment:
glasses
lead aprons
lead gloves
lead thyroid collars
masks.

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this Unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this Unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this Unit. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
provide caring and capable support to veterinarians and patients during dental radiography procedures in all disciplines of veterinary dentistry
prepare patients and equipment for the required procedures
process and develop high quality standard radiographs
monitor vital signs of patients accurately through induction, during procedure and through recovery
recognise, respond to and assist with emergencies
handle a range of patients occurring in the clinic
communicate effectively with owners and the veterinarian providing advice.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of this Unit is to be practical in nature and must be assessed in a clinic or hospital, a specialist veterinary dental clinic or hospital, or a referral veterinary dental clinic or hospital where registered veterinary dental specialists perform advanced veterinary dentistry.
There must be access to the appropriate dental equipment, resources and documentation to enable one to demonstrate competence.
Method of assessment
To ensure consistency of performance, competency should be demonstrated by producing an extensive range of veterinary dental oral radiographs on a regular basis over a period of time.
The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this Unit are:
written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks
simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions
case study analysis
third-party evidence
workplace documentation
portfolio.
This Unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other Units of Competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).