Unit of competency details

Descriptor 

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to evaluate and modify the try-in fitting of a removable dental prosthesis prior to its completion

Clients may be dentate or edentulous

All procedures are carried out in accordance with occupational health and safety policies and procedures, current infection control guidelines, Australian and New Zealand Standards, State/Territory legislative requirements and organisation policy

Application 

This unit applies to work in dental prosthetics at advanced diploma level

Pre-requisite units 

This unit must be assessed after successful achievement of pre-requisites:

• HLTDP601C Identify, select and prepare instruments, equipment, materials as required
• HLTDP602C Gather data, conduct a dental prosthetic examination and develop treatment plan
• HLTDP603C Take impressions
• HLTDP604C Establish and record jaw relationships and select artificial teeth
• HLTIN301C Comply with infection control policies and procedures
• HLTIN302B Process reusable instruments and equipment in health work
• HLTOHS401A Maintain workplace OHS processes

Employability Skills 

This unit contains Employability Skills

Elements define the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

The Performance Criteria specify the level of performance required to demonstrate achievement of the Element. Terms in italics are elaborated in the Range Statement.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare client for procedure

1.1 Interpret prescription if referred from another source

1.2 Prepare personal protective equipment  for the client and members of the dental team

1.3 Position client correctly for procedure

1.4 Provide full details of the procedure to the client and/or carer

1.5 Prepare equipment and materials  in accordance with manufacturer's instructions

2. Perform check of try-in prosthesis prior to insertion

2.1 Decontaminate the try -in prosthesis  according to infection control guidelines

2.2 Remove potential injury causing areas of the prosthesis prior to insertion

2.3 Check teeth and other components to ensure they will not dislodge during the procedure

3. Fit and evaluate try-in prosthesis

3.1 Implement aseptic techniques  to prevent the spread of infection

3.2 Position the client comfortably for the procedure

3.3 Instruct client on participation during the procedure

3.4 Examine the try-in prosthesis for retention and stability

3.5 Examine the occlusal relationships of the try-in prosthesis for accuracy of centric relation

3.6 Assess the aesthetic appearance of teeth and gums

3.7 Assess that speech has not been affected

3.8 Assess client comfort

3.9 Complete documentation as required

4. Alter try-in prosthesis

4.1 Make changes to the prosthesis in accordance with the evaluation at the try-in stage

4.2 Repeat the evaluation of the try-in prosthesis

4.3 Ensure functional and aesthetic acceptability of the dentures to the operator 

4.4 Ensure functional and aesthetic acceptability of the dentures to the client 

4.5 Provide client with full details for the next stage

4.6 Complete documentation as required

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Essential knowledge :

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes knowledge of:

• Current infection control guidelines
• Legal and ethical issues relating to: informed consent, duty of care, confidentiality, disability awareness
• Principles of quality assurance and work effectiveness
• Relevant occupational health and safety policies and procedures
• The rationale and objectives for try-ins

Essential skills :

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to

• Consistently prepare clients, environments, instruments and materials for try-in
• Consistently assess the functional and aesthetic acceptability of trial dentures
• Consistent comply with occupational health and safety procedures
• Consistently implement standard precautions
• Consistently follow procedures to ensure client safety

In addition, the candidate must be able to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes the ability to:

• Consistently apply standard and additional precautions during all prosthetic procedures
• Consistently select and prepare equipment and materials as required for try-in of dental prostheses for clients who may be:

• dentate
• edentulous

• Consistently demonstrate interpersonal skills when relating to people from a range of social, cultural and religious backgrounds and physical and mental abilities
• Consistently demonstrate communication skills as required in fulfilling the job role as specified by the dental practice/organisation including:

• acknowledging and responding to a range of views
• active listening
• asking for clarification from client and/or carer
• asking questions
• negotiation

• Consistently deal with conflict
• Consistently work with others and display empathy with client and relatives
• Consistently use problem solving skills required including:

• planning and organising personal work activities
• using available resources

• Consistently maintain equipment, instruments and materials
• Recognise, respond to and assist with dental and medical emergencies

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 competency unit :

• The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
• Observation of workplace performance is essential for assessment of this unit
• Consistent compliance with infection control guidelines, Australian and New Zealand Standards and legislative requirements as they relate to the dental prosthetist's specific job role
• Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations

Context of and specific resources for assessment :

• Where, for reasons of safety, access to equipment and resources and space, assessment takes place away from the workplace, simulations should be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible

Method of assessment 

• Evidence of essential knowledge and understanding may be provided by:

• traditional or online (computer-based) assessment
• questions during workplace assessment
• written assignments/projects

• Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
• Staff and/or client feedback
• Supporting statement of supervisor
• Authenticated evidence of relevant work experience and/or formal/informal learning
• Role play/simulation

Access and equity considerations :

• All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity 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 health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

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.

Equipment and materials may include :

• Burner
• Burs
• Examination mirrors
• Handpiece
• Intra-oral and extra-oral aids to establishing jaw relationships
• Occlusal indicators
• Wax instruments
• Waxes

Personal protective equipment may include :

• Examination gloves that comply with AS/NZS 4011 and surgical gloves that comply with AS/NZS 4179
• Footwear to protect from dropped sharps and other contaminated items
• Glasses, goggles or face-shields
• Gowns and waterproof aprons that comply with AS 3789.2 and AS 3789.3
• Guidelines for latex allergic clients and staff
• Surgical face masks that comply with AS 4381

Aseptic techniques may include :

• Cleaning of surfaces and management of spills
• Personal hygiene practices especially handwashing
• Reprocessing of instruments and equipment between client use
• Use of personal protective equipment

The try -in prosthesis may include :

• Additions to existing denture
• Complete dentures
• Partial dentures
• Repair to existing denture

Functional and aesthetic acceptability of the dentures to the operator may include but is not limited to :

• Verifying that speech is clear and is not affected by the form of the denture
• Verifying that the occlusal planes are acceptable
• Verifying that the vertical dimension, centric relation and occlusal relationships are correct
• Verifying that the waxwork is aesthetic and functional
• Verifying that trial dentures are stable in the mouth
• Verifying the overall aesthetic appearance of the trial denture
• Verifying the selection of anterior and posterior teeth colour, shape and size

Functional and aesthetic acceptability of the dentures to the client may include but is not limited to :

• Client approval of any alteration in form from previous dentures
• Client approval of the acceptability of the trial dentures and approval to progress to the finish stage