Elements and Performance Criteria

Oral health education program is prescribed by the dentist or dental specialist and may include but is not limited to:
Written and/or verbal advice
Brochures, information sheets
Prescribed home fluoride treatments
Recommended toothpaste, toothbrush and oral hygiene aids for home use
Modifications due to disability and aged care requirements
Age dependent modifications for children

Causes and prevention of oral diseases targeted in an oral health education program may include but are not limited to:
Role of plaque in development of dental caries and periodontal disease
Risk factors in the development of dental caries, periodontal disease and non carious tooth wear
Role of mouthguards in the prevention of trauma to dentition
Risk factors of cigarette smoking on oral soft tissues
Risk factors in diet related to the development of dental caries
Role of saliva in the prevention of dental caries

Oral hygiene techniques may include but are not limited to:
Manual and electric tooth brushing technique
Use of dental floss
Use of fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinses when appropriate
Use of other specific oral hygiene aids when appropriate
Modifications to toothbrush handles for specific needs of patient/carer
Modifications to application of program for carers of special needs and aged care patients
Modifications for young children
Modifications to techniques required for patients wearing oral appliances

Oral diseases targeted in an oral hygiene program may include those for:
Dental caries (decay of dentition )
Periodontal disease ( supporting structures of dentition)
Non carious tooth wear
Damage to dentition due to trauma
Damage to oral tissues due to cigarette smoking
Effects of low salivary flow

The role of the dental assistant in the implementation of fluoride treatments prescribed by the dentist or dental specialist is determined by legislative requirements and is currently limited to use of:
The presence of plaque is demonstrated in accordance with current legislation.
Toothpaste
Mouth rinses available without prescription

Appropriate aids may include:
Range of manual and electric toothbrushes
Range of oral hygiene aids, including a range of dental floss
A range of toothpastes
Range of mouth rinses
Face mirror for patient

Relevant information on cariogenic and low pH food may include:
Level of intake
Frequency of intake
Consistency
Content

Critical aspects of assessment:
Compliance with current NHRMC infection control guidelines, Australian Standards and legislative requirements related to dental assistant's role
Advice on prevention of oral diseases provided to a diversity of patients/carers or audiences
Provision of information, advice and demonstration of oral hygiene techniques in an effective manner to patients/carers or audiences
An effective review strategy

Concurrent assessment and relationship with other units:
Pre-requisite competencies are:
HLTDA1A Maintain infection control in dental practice
HLTDA2A Follow occupational health and safety policies in dental practice
HLTDA3A Prepare for and assist during oral health care procedures
HLTDA5A Maintain and store instruments, equipment, materials, and medicaments for oral health care procedures.

Suggested co-requisite units of competency are:
BSBMKG407A Make a presentation
BSZ404A Train small groups

Essential knowledge required includes:
Plaque and its differing roles in the development of dental caries and periodontal disease
Causes and prevention of dental caries and periodontal disease
Causes and prevention of non caries tooth wear
Fundamental knowledge of the impact of smoking on oral soft tissues
Fundamental knowledge of systemic conditions which influence the development of oral disease
Local oral factors which influence the development of oral disease
Modifications to oral health education programs related to special needs due to disability, aged care and child needs
Oral appliances and their impact on oral hygiene maintenance
Knowledge of the use of fluoride in dentistry including legislative requirements
Knowledge of the oral appliances and their impact on oral health maintenance
Knowledge of the role of saliva in the maintenance of oral health

Essential skills required include:
Application of fundamental motivational and learning skills
Interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and physical and mental abilities
Communication skills to effectively inform and motivate behaviour change
Oral communication skills (language competence) required to fulfil the job role as specified by the dental practice/organisation. Skills include asking questions, active listening, asking for clarification from patient and/or carer, acknowledging and responding to a range of views.
Interpersonal skills required include working with others and effectively and appropriately responding to patient and relatives /carers oral hygiene specific needs
Problem solving skills required include an ability to use available resources

Resource implications:
Access to appropriate workplace or simulation of realistic workplace setting where assessment can be conducted over a diverse range of patient requirements
Access to equipment and resources normally used in a dental practice/organisation
Competency in this unit should be assessed using all the relevant resources commonly provided in dental practice

Methods of assessment may include but are not limited to:
Observation of work performance
Written tasks
Interview and questioning
Authenticated portfolio/log book
Supporting statement of supervisor(s)
Authenticated evidence of relevant work experience and/or formal/informal learning

Context of assessment:
This unit is most appropriately assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment under the normal range of work conditions.
Assessment should be conducted on more than one occasion to cover a variety of circumstances and to establish consistency.
A diversity of assessment tasks is essential for holistic assessment.