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.
Horse history information may include:
age, breed and sex
behavioural issues in relation to:
handling
head position and movement
past dental treatment
rider or driver control
diet
exercise routine
horse use
vital signs
observations and/or injuries
known allergies
known dental and health problems
previous dental treatments
reason for consultation or inquiry
vaccination status
competition status
current veterinary or complementary treatment.
Features of head and neck anatomy may include:
symmetry of head:
ears
eye orbits
facial crests
nasal bones
nostrils
rami
temporomandibular joints (TMJ)
symmetry and tone of head and neck muscles:
head muscles: masseter and temporalis
facial muscles including: levator nasolabialis, facial cutaneous muscle
neck muscles including: semispinalis capitus, caudal oblique, longus capitus, omohyoid sternohyoid muscles
other neck muscles including: brachiocephalic, rhomboid, splenius and trapezius muscles.
The behaviour of the horse may include:
nervous or defensive behaviours:
striking
kicking
biting
holding body in tension
laying ears back
shaking
pawing
pushing or barging
sweating
attempting to run away
behavioural problems:
weaving
attempting to sit down or lean on operator
refusing to allow head to be handled
behaviour may be a reflection of:
eating disorders
environmental conditions
herd behaviour
inability to maintain concentration
resistance to working in a collected frame
level of exercise
pain, discomfort or fear
temperament.
Safety considerations when working with horses include:
being prepared to say no to handling an uneducated, stressed or difficult horse
identifying a safe working environment
following safe work method statements for:
completing dental tasks
infection control (biosecurity) precautions
horse catching, handling, controlling and restraining methods using safe manual handling procedures
using personal protective equipment (PPE)
clothing of a protective nature including disposables
eye and ear protection
masks for the protection of the respiratory system
gloves
items for sun and other protection
safety footwear and leg protection
recognising possible symptoms of and risks of zoonotic diseases such as Hendra virus and required reporting procedures.
Conditions within the parameters of routine dental correction and oral procedures may include:
conditions that may be recognised include:
impacted feed above the gum line
soft tissue lacerations from sharp teeth
conditions that may be treated via routine dental correction include:
supragingival calculus ("tartar") removal
creation of appropriate bit seats taking into consideration the risk of pulp exposure
removal of sharp points consisting of dentine, cementum and enamel on upper and lower buccal and lingual edges under close scrutiny to avoid proximity or exposure of any pulp canals
removal of retained 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
removal of digitally loose permanent teeth without significant periodontal attachment (able to be moved considerably with a finger) using the hand or an instrument as appropriate followed by referral for appropriate investigation as to the cause
addressing causes predisposing to gingivitis
conditions that are recognised where referral must be considered, according to industry protocols, include:
evidence of:
endodontic disease
periodontal disease
Orthodontic problems (malocclusion)
absent teeth
loose teeth with periodontal attachment
supernumerary teeth
displaced teeth
fractured teeth
abnormal deciduous or permanent teeth
conditions which will require referral include:
fractures involving bone
retained deciduous teeth (caps) with significant periodontal attachments
presence of pungent odour or discharge from mouth or nose
incisor reduction of more than the measurement indicated in state/territory legislation and guidelines (however, 1mm reduction is generally considered a safe margin)
check teeth reduction of more than the measurement indicated in state/territory legislation and guidelines (however, 3mm reduction is generally considered a safe margin)
Referral procedures may include:
direct contact by phone or in person with relevant specialist or allied equine health provider after gaining owner permission
verbal advice to owner regarding suggested referral requirements
written advice to owner regarding suggested referral procedures.
Persons to whom referrals may be made include:
veterinarians and veterinary specialists
appropriately qualified equine dental service provider
equine nutritionists
other appropriate service providers
Treatment options may include:
assessing the need for sedation based on:
the animal's problems
the investigation and treatment required
the animal's behaviour and/or stress level
the ability to manage the animal by the operator and handlers
the environment and OHS risk assessment
accessing sedation in accordance with relevant State/Territory legislation
routine dental correction including:
supragingival calculus ("tartar") removal
creation of appropriate bit seats
removal of sharp enamel points on upper and lower buccal and lingual edges
removal of sharp points consisting of dentine, cementum and enamel on upper and lower buccal and lingual edges under close scrutiny to avoid proximity or exposure of any pulp canals
removal of retained 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
removal of digitally loose molars without significant periodontal attachment (able to be moved considerably with a finger) using the hand or an instrument as appropriate followed by referral for appropriate investigation as to the cause
addressing causes predisposing to gingivitis
referral for:
advanced or staged corrective treatment
periodontal disease
fragments for extraction or further investigation
extractions other than described above
endodontic disease
orthodontic (malocclusion) problems
other health problems.
Other relevant considerations may include:
appropriate sedation in relation to horse's age, breed, temperament and physical condition
age of the horse
work or activity the horse is engaged in
temperament of the horse
owner or carer wishes.
Significance of dental conditions may include:
behavioural problems
discomfort or pain
impact on digestion and health
impact on performance or reproduction.
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
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:
obtain horse history, evaluate and document current general condition and behaviour of horse
inspect incisors for evidence of major malocclusions which may impact on speculum use and require referral
comply with infection control and hygiene protocols and monitor for update alerts
fit a speculum and inspect the mouth and teeth for signs of healthy dental and oral status
identify and rank less complex dental conditions consistent with those which can be addressed by routine dental and oral procedures using industry recognised charts and records
discuss options for treatment with mentors, veterinarian or other appropriate service providers
document findings using established record keeping and appropriate terminology
report inspection results and impact of findings to owner or carer.
refer owner or carer to a veterinarian or other appropriate service provider if the case is beyond current professional and personal scope, legal restriction or ethical responsibility of the dental service provider
document treatment plans, including appropriate treatment procedures and equipment
explain treatment plan and post treatment care and monitoring requirements to the owner or carer.

The skills and knowledge required to conduct equine oral inspection and assessment and plan equine dental treatment 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 a range of horses and anatomical models and the appropriate equipment and resources 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).