Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
Materials used in manual dental instruments may include:

aluminium
carbide chip
diamond
ropes
stainless steel
tungsten carbide
various synthetic handle materials.
Speculum types and fittings may include:
full mouth speculums
wedge gags:
bilateral wedge
unilateral wedge
unsuitable gags such as spool, which are TO BE AVOIDED
speculum accessories:
gum bars
extended gum bars
tooth plates
extended tooth plates.
Speculum fitting techniques may include:
adjustment for the large or small horse
consideration for the younger horse
modifications to accommodate incisor malocclusions
incremental opening and shutting of the mouth to accustom the horse
slow and confident handling to reassure the horse.
OHS considerations when working with horses may include:
applying appropriate manual handling techniques when packaging and handling loads, including horses and equipment
being prepared to say no to handling an uneducated, stressed, difficult or sick horse
following safe work method statements for:
cleaning, disinfecting and sharpening instruments
completing dental related tasks
electrical safety procedures when using water in close vicinity of electrical equipment
following personal and workplace hygiene procedures
hazard identification and risk minimisation:
handling, use, storage, transport and disposal of chemicals
handling and disposal of biological wastes
horse catching, handling, controlling and restraining methods
safe proximity and position of carer in charge of the horse
using machinery and equipment in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions
using infection control procedures to minimise risks associated with:
zoonotic diseases
release of infective agents (both animal and human)
chemical spillage
using personal protective equipment (PPE)
clothing of a protective nature including disposable
eye and ear protection
masks for the protection of the respiratory system
gloves
items for sun and other protection
safety footwear and leg protection.
Animal welfare considerations may include:
complying with relevant:
industry codes of practice
industry standards and protocols
legislation and regulations concerned with:
animal welfare
the prevention of cruelty to animals
equine dentistry.
Manual files (floats) and file (float) blade types may include:
manual file (float) types:
incisor
pre-molar
molar
buccal
lingual
manual file (float) design:
straight shaft
curved shaft
angled shaft
flat shaft
round shaft
file (float) blade:
milled tungsten carbide
bonded carbide chip.
Other equipment used in the provision of a dental service may include:
antiseptics and disinfectants
aprons
buckets and bucket brush
canine tooth buffer
cap extractors
head stand
head lamps and lights
head stall and lead rope
lubrication oil
personal protective equipment and clothing
picks
syringe for mouth wash
various appropriate forceps
worktable.
Infection control standard procedures may include:
appropriate reprocessing of reusable equipment
aseptic technique
environmental controls (e.g. design and maintenance of premises and cleaning)
personal hygiene practices especially washing and drying hands (e.g. before and after animal contact)
safe handling and disposal of sharps and other clinical, related and general waste
surface cleaning and management of blood and bodily fluid spills
techniques to limit contamination
use of personal protective equipment.
Horse may be restrained for dental treatment by:
experienced and capable horse handler
established restraint techniques utilised in accordance with relevant State and Territory animal welfare legislation and codes of practice, which may include:
fixed stall ('crush') designed for examination of the horse
mobile stall 'crush' designed for the examination of the horse
halter and lead
sedation, if required, legally accessed and administered.
Retained deciduous teeth treatment may include:
assessing presentation of deciduous teeth with periodontal attachment and requirement for referral
removing deciduous teeth (caps) ready to be shed and without significant periodontal attachment (able to be moved considerably with a finger) using the hand or an instrument as appropriate
conducting examination for presence of deciduous tooth fragments post-removal
referral if required
discussing post-treatment follow-up with the owner or carer if required.
Digitally loose molar treatment may include:
assessing digitally loose molars for indicators of periodontal disease and requirement for referral
removing digitally loose molars without significant periodontal attachment (able to be moved considerably with a finger) using the hand or an instrument as appropriate
discussing post-treatment referral for investigation as to the cause and follow-up with the owner or carer.
Features of the required 'bit seat' may include:
appropriate rostral, buccal and lingual rounding and smoothening of the parts of the upper and lower 2nd premolars
featuresMUST give consideration to tooth physiological structures and avoid approaching or exposing the pulp canals
features MUST maintain optimal occlusion while addressing pre-existing pathology, mastication and performance requirements.
Evidence of injury caused during dental treatment may include:
fractures of teeth from incorrect instrument or speculum use
haemorrhage
latrogenic injury to soft tissues such as the tongue or oral mucosa
latrogenic injury to hard tissues, such as bone, TMJ
pulp exposure.
Equipment and instruments maintenance or repair procedures may include:
cleaning, storing and maintaining in accordance with manufacturer's instructions, such as:
lubricating joints on forceps
lubrication of dose syringe with silicone spray
recharging or replacing batteries
replacing file (float) handles and covers as appropriate
replacing blunt blades
re-sharpening blades if appropriate
routine disinfection of equipment
safe and secure storage of equipment for transport.
Post treatment care may include:
horse management recommendations to the owner or carer including:
change of feed or husbandry recommendations
modification of work and bit use
exercise or training modifications or considerations
mouth rinses
nil by mouth post sedation
pain management
re-education of the horse
referral to veterinarian or other appropriate service provider.

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:
prepare for treatment and organise sedation, if required, in accordance with the relevant State and Territory legislation, regulations and industry standards
instruct the carer on their role and safety procedures in handling the horse during treatment
use appropriate techniques with manual instruments to restore dental and oral structures to acceptable condition, function and comfort in accordance with the treatment plan and oral inspection report
comply with safety, animal welfare and infection control and hygiene protocols and monitor for update alerts
explain procedures and post treatment care to the owner or carer and others as required
update dental and other relevant records.

The skills and knowledge required to perform routine dental correction and oral care using manual instruments must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment for this Unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in a workplace where equine dentistry is provided or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.

There must be access to horses presenting with a range of relevant equine dental conditions, anatomical models and the relevant information, materials and documentation to enable one to demonstrate competence.
Method of assessment
To ensure consistency in performance, competency should be demonstrated, to established standards, on more than four occasions over a period of time in order to cover a variety of individual cases, circumstances and disciplines and over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategy must include assessment of competency in a work environment. Suggested strategies for this Unit are:
written and 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 studies
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 socio-economic backgrounds).