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.
Patient dental history may include:
diagnostic test results
pathological test results
previous referrals.
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.
Theatre furniture and equipment may include:
air-driven dental base, including high and low speed hand pieces
amalgamator saws, pumps and elevators
anaesthetic machine
chisels and curettes
curing lights
endodontic files
endotracheal tubes and cuffs
forceps
operating table
pharyngeal packs
radiograph displays
sterile dental packs
suction equipment
surgical instrument trays and trolleys
ultrasonic and sonic dental scalers.
Gloving and gowning may include:
personal hygiene and scrubbing
fitting of:
boots
gloves
goggles
gowns
masks.
Pre-operative medications may include:
analgesics
antibiotics.
Specific dental materials may include:
pins
plates
prothesis
restorative materials
screws
sutures
wire.
Scheduled procedures may include:
periodontics
endodontics
restorative dentistry
oral surgery
prosthodontics
orthodontics
exotic animal dentistry.
Maintenance routines for instruments and equipment may include:
calibration
cleaning
disassembly
drying
packing and oiling
reassembly
re-stocking
sharpening.
Specific home-nursing advice may include:
advice on dispensed medications
dietary requirements
continued prophylaxis at home
gum and dental hygiene
postoperative expectations
use of bones and toys.

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:
assist the veterinarian and work as an effective team member during all procedures including periodontics, endodontics, restorative dentistry, oral surgery, prosthodontics, orthodontics and exotic animal dentistry
prepare the theatre, patients, personnel and all relevant materials and equipment for dental surgery
record accurately anaesthetic levels and dental nomenclature and details
clean, maintain and store dental instruments and equipment in accordance with manufacturers' specifications
communicate effectively with clients prior to surgery and post-operatively in respect to specific home-nursing requirements.
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 providing veterinary dental nursing support for an extensive range of advanced veterinary dental surgery cases 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).