Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 8:39 AM AWST
22/07/2026 8:39 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Recognise and respond to signs and symptoms that may indicate oral health issues
Recognise and respond to signs and symptoms that may indicate oral health issues
Unit of competency
National Code
CHCOHC404A
CHCOHC404A
State Code
WB985
WB985
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
12/08/2014
Field of Education
060799 - Dental Studies, N.e.c.
Original Release Date
12/08/2014
Nominal Hours
30
Description
DescriptorThis unit describes the skills and knowledge required to recognise and respond appropriately to signs and symptoms that may indicate a potential for oral health issues in clients
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Identify variations in client behaviour
- 1.1 Identify client behaviour and habits that may indicate oral health issues or associated pain or discomfort
- 1.2 Observe, listen for self-reports and question client and/or carer or other relevant people as required to determine whether the client is experiencing any pain or discomfort that may be associated with oral health issues
- 1.3 Take into account contributing factors that may produce variation from normal behaviour
2. Undertake basic visual oral check and questioning
- 2.1 Obtain consent from the client or substitute decision maker to conduct basic visual oral check and questioning
- 2.2 Ensure comfort of client by developing trust and rapport and working in an appropriate environment and at an optimal time
- 2.3 Ensure client is in a position which provides access to the mouth seeking their assistance to open their own mouth limiting contact inside the mouth
- 2.4 Provide support for client's head or chin if necessary to enhance visual access without creating discomfort for the client
- 2.5 Perform basic visual oral check in line with legislative requirements, organisation guidelines, policies and procedures and within own work role
- 2.6 Ensure visual check is conducted in accordance with standard precautions
- 2.7 Identify signs and symptoms of potential oral health issues that may indicate variation from normal and actively listen to and be aware of self-reports
3. Follow up and promote ongoing oral health care
- 3.1 Complete reporting processes, using information from client and/or carer or other relevant people as well as own observations in relation to potential oral health issues
- 3.2 Discuss potential oral health issues with client and/or relevant others in line with organisation policies and procedures and respecting client priorities and choices
- 3.3 Take appropriate action within work role, including discussing with supervisor in consultation with client
- 3.4 Provide client with information relevant to promoting and maintaining goodoral health using appropriate communication strategies
- 3.5 Support clients to take a self-care approach to oral health in line with individual needs where possible
- 3.6 Identify and address key barriers to management or self-management of oral health
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. Add any 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.
Client refers to those living in the community and/or facilities and may include:
Children receiving care, including in children's services
Older people
Palliative care clients
People in care facilities
People with dementia
People with disabilities
People with mental health issues
Client behaviour and habits may include:
Anxiety around or avoidance of specific events
Apparent pain or discomfort in or around the mouth
Behaviours of concern
Change in eating habits
Change in mood or demeanour
Changes in communication
Crying
Difficulty with eating, including spitting out food
Hands in the mouth
Inconsistent wearing of dentures
Lethargy
Physical aggression
Refusal to open mouth
Rubbing own teeth or gums
Seemingly normal behaviours e.g. coughing could be indicator that food is in the lungs
Self-harming behaviour
Social isolation or withdrawal
Other relevant people may include but not be limited to:
External health care providers
Other service providers
Personnel internal to the service provider
Contributing factors may include but not be limited to:
Abuse
Ageing
Disability
Injury
Medications
Substance misuse
Systemic illness
Substitute decision maker (in relation to consent) must be:
The person appointed with the right to speak for the client, such as:
advocate
carers
guardians
health attorneys
medical power of attorney
members of family
other practitioners
parent of child
person responsible
public trustee
Legislative requirements refers to:
Federal, state or territory legislation that may impact on workers' practices and responsibilities, noting that implementation of the unit of competency must reflect the legislative framework in which a worker operates
Organisation guidelines may include but are not limited to:
Clinical protocols
Position descriptions
Workplace policies and procedures, including:
infection control
occupational health and safety
Standard precautions refer to infection control and may include:
Wash hands before and after oral care
Appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE):
eye/facial protection e.g. glasses/face shield
gloves
gown
mask
Disposal of PPE
Signs and symptoms of potential oral health issues may include but not be limited to:
Observed and/or reported signs in or around the mouth, such as:
bad breath (halitosis)
bleeding
broken teeth
brown or discoloured teeth
calculus (mineralised plaque that will not brush off) on teeth particularly at gum line
change in colour or coating of tongue
dry mouth
eruption issues for children
evidence of build up of dental plaque on teeth, particularly at gum line
holes in teeth
lip blisters, sores or cracks
loose or mobile teeth
mouth debris/excessive food left in mouth
mouth ulcers
premature loss of baby teeth
receding or enlarged gums
soft tissue lesions e.g. red or white spots
swelling of face or localised swelling/inflammation
tooth sensitivity
Issues reported by client and/or others, such as:
tooth sensitivity
refusal of oral care
sore mouth, gums, tongue or teeth
Other observations, such as:
change in appetite
change in demeanour or mood
difficulty eating/speaking
inability to open mouth very wide
irritability
refusing to open mouth
weight loss
Observed and/or reported issues with dentures, such as:
broken metal wires/clips on partial denture
calculus on denture
chipped or missing teeth on denture or chipped or broken acrylic areas on denture
denture movement when client is speaking or eating
refusal or failure to wear denture
sore spots caused by wearing denture
unclean denture
Information from client may include but is not limited to:
Basic dietary information on eating patterns and cariogenic food and drink intake
Client concerns, beliefs and preferences regarding their signs and symptoms
Clinical progress notes relevant to the presenting problem
Current prescribed and other medications
Current support mechanisms
Family and community circumstances, including environmental factors that may contribute to client's health
History of the presenting problem e.g. character, severity and duration of symptoms and past dental visits
Medical history, e.g. chemotherapy
Significant ongoing health conditions
Good oral health refers to but is not limited to:
A person's mouth that has:
breath without offensive odour
inflammation and lesion-free soft tissue
intact and stable teeth without cavities
moist lips without chapping
no build up of food, calculus or plaque
no oral pain
pink, moist, uncoated tongue
watery plentiful saliva
Looking after the whole mouth, including natural and artificial teeth, gums, tongue, lips and inside the cheeks
Oral health related quality of life factors, such as appearance, social interaction and self-esteem
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any 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.
Client refers to those living in the community and/or facilities and may include:
Children receiving care, including in children's services
Older people
Palliative care clients
People in care facilities
People with dementia
People with disabilities
People with mental health issues
Client behaviour and habits may include:
Anxiety around or avoidance of specific events
Apparent pain or discomfort in or around the mouth
Behaviours of concern
Change in eating habits
Change in mood or demeanour
Changes in communication
Crying
Difficulty with eating, including spitting out food
Hands in the mouth
Inconsistent wearing of dentures
Lethargy
Physical aggression
Refusal to open mouth
Rubbing own teeth or gums
Seemingly normal behaviours e.g. coughing could be indicator that food is in the lungs
Self-harming behaviour
Social isolation or withdrawal
Other relevant people may include but not be limited to:
External health care providers
Other service providers
Personnel internal to the service provider
Contributing factors may include but not be limited to:
Abuse
Ageing
Disability
Injury
Medications
Substance misuse
Systemic illness
Substitute decision maker (in relation to consent) must be:
The person appointed with the right to speak for the client, such as:
advocate
carers
guardians
health attorneys
medical power of attorney
members of family
other practitioners
parent of child
person responsible
public trustee
Legislative requirements refers to:
Federal, state or territory legislation that may impact on workers' practices and responsibilities, noting that implementation of the unit of competency must reflect the legislative framework in which a worker operates
Organisation guidelines may include but are not limited to:
Clinical protocols
Position descriptions
Workplace policies and procedures, including:
infection control
occupational health and safety
Standard precautions refer to infection control and may include:
Wash hands before and after oral care
Appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE):
eye/facial protection e.g. glasses/face shield
gloves
gown
mask
Disposal of PPE
Signs and symptoms of potential oral health issues may include but not be limited to:
Observed and/or reported signs in or around the mouth, such as:
bad breath (halitosis)
bleeding
broken teeth
brown or discoloured teeth
calculus (mineralised plaque that will not brush off) on teeth particularly at gum line
change in colour or coating of tongue
dry mouth
eruption issues for children
evidence of build up of dental plaque on teeth, particularly at gum line
holes in teeth
lip blisters, sores or cracks
loose or mobile teeth
mouth debris/excessive food left in mouth
mouth ulcers
premature loss of baby teeth
receding or enlarged gums
soft tissue lesions e.g. red or white spots
swelling of face or localised swelling/inflammation
tooth sensitivity
Issues reported by client and/or others, such as:
tooth sensitivity
refusal of oral care
sore mouth, gums, tongue or teeth
Other observations, such as:
change in appetite
change in demeanour or mood
difficulty eating/speaking
inability to open mouth very wide
irritability
refusing to open mouth
weight loss
Observed and/or reported issues with dentures, such as:
broken metal wires/clips on partial denture
calculus on denture
chipped or missing teeth on denture or chipped or broken acrylic areas on denture
denture movement when client is speaking or eating
refusal or failure to wear denture
sore spots caused by wearing denture
unclean denture
Information from client may include but is not limited to:
Basic dietary information on eating patterns and cariogenic food and drink intake
Client concerns, beliefs and preferences regarding their signs and symptoms
Clinical progress notes relevant to the presenting problem
Current prescribed and other medications
Current support mechanisms
Family and community circumstances, including environmental factors that may contribute to client's health
History of the presenting problem e.g. character, severity and duration of symptoms and past dental visits
Medical history, e.g. chemotherapy
Significant ongoing health conditions
Good oral health refers to but is not limited to:
A person's mouth that has:
breath without offensive odour
inflammation and lesion-free soft tissue
intact and stable teeth without cavities
moist lips without chapping
no build up of food, calculus or plaque
no oral pain
pink, moist, uncoated tongue
watery plentiful saliva
Looking after the whole mouth, including natural and artificial teeth, gums, tongue, lips and inside the cheeks
Oral health related quality of life factors, such as appearance, social interaction and self-esteem
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this unit of competency:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
This unit is best assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace under the normal range of conditions
Consistency in performance should consider the particular workplace context
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in health and community services environments should be aware of access, equity and human rights issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular issues facing Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues relating to factors impacting on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit can be delivered and assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice with other community services units of competency is encouraged
Resources required for assessment include:
access to appropriate workplace where assessment can take place
simulation of realistic workplace setting
Method of assessment:
In cases where the learner does not have the opportunity to cover all relevant aspects in the work environment, the remainder should be assessed through realistic simulations, projects, previous relevant experience or oral questioning on 'What if?' scenarios
Assessment of this unit of competency will include observation of processes and procedures, oral and/or written questioning on essential knowledge and skills and consideration of required attitudes
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over a range of relevant workplace conditions
Related units:
This unit may be assessed independently or in conjunction with other units with associated workplace application
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this unit of competency:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
This unit is best assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace under the normal range of conditions
Consistency in performance should consider the particular workplace context
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in health and community services environments should be aware of access, equity and human rights issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular issues facing Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues relating to factors impacting on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit can be delivered and assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice with other community services units of competency is encouraged
Resources required for assessment include:
access to appropriate workplace where assessment can take place
simulation of realistic workplace setting
Method of assessment:
In cases where the learner does not have the opportunity to cover all relevant aspects in the work environment, the remainder should be assessed through realistic simulations, projects, previous relevant experience or oral questioning on 'What if?' scenarios
Assessment of this unit of competency will include observation of processes and procedures, oral and/or written questioning on essential knowledge and skills and consideration of required attitudes
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over a range of relevant workplace conditions
Related units:
This unit may be assessed independently or in conjunction with other units with associated workplace application
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVA15 | HLTOHC001 | Recognise and respond to oral health issues | Unit of competency |