Modification History
Not applicable.
Unit Descriptor
This Unit of Competency covers the process of evaluating the anatomy and physiology of the equine head, with specific reference to how the teeth and dental related structures, can affect the health of horses.
Application of the Unit
The Unit is applicable to the equine industry where it may be necessary to provide dental care to ensure the health and efficient physiological function of horses.In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, all Units of Competency in the ACM10 Animal Care and Management Training Package have the requirement for animals to be handled gently and calmly. The individual is required to exhibit appropriate care for animals so that stress and discomfort are minimised.
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this Unit. Therefore, it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this Unit.
Pre-Requisites
There are no pre-requisite Units for this competency standard.
Employability Skills Information
This Unit contains employability skills.
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
Elements describe the essential outcomes of a Unit of Competency. |
Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1 Evaluate the impact of dental and oral health on digestion and nutrient absorption |
1.1 Structures of the head that relate to mastication and digestion are identified and described 1.2 Functions of head and oral structures are determined in relation to digestion and general health 1.3 Relationship between muscular structure, dental occlusion and masticatory action is identified 1.4 Changes in the skull due to age, disease and injury are determined 1.5 Other factors affecting digestive processes and digestive efficiency are defined and identified. 1.6 Consequences of poor dental and oral health on nutrient absorption are defined and identified |
2 Evaluate the impact of dental and oral conditions on the health of the horse |
2.1 Dental and oral trauma is identified and described 2.2 Dental and oral related conditions are identified and described 2.3 Dental congenital and genetic abnormalities are identified and described. 2.4 Other abnormal conditions are identified and described 2.5 Potential impact and consequences on general health of dental injuries, diseases, dental abnormalities and other conditions are defined |
3 Identify features of head and neck structures that may relate to dental functions, oral functions and general health |
3.1 Soft tissue structures of the head and neck are identified and the impact of disease or injury on dental and general health is evaluated 3.2 Bony structures of the skull and neck are identified and impact of disease or injury on dental or general health is evaluated 3.3 Structures of the circulatory system of the head and neck are identified and the impact of disease or injury on dental or general health is evaluated 3.4 Structures of the nervous system in the head and neck are identified and impact of disease or injury on dental and general health is evaluated |
4 Evaluate the impact of unskilled or inappropriate dental care on the health of the horse |
4.1 Potential consequences of the absence of dental care on the health of the horse are evaluated 4.2 Consequences of unskilled or inappropriate dental techniques are identified and defined 4.3 Implications of leaving tooth fragments behind, post extraction are defined 4.4 Consequences of excessive filing (floating) of teeth and the impact on the masticatory ability is defined 4.5 Other possible causes of dental damage or disease are identified and consequences are defined |
Required Skills and Knowledge
This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this Unit.
Required skills include: |
Ability to:
|
Required knowledge includes: |
Knowledge of:
|
Evidence Guide
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:
The skills and knowledge required to identify potential health impacts of equine oral conditions 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 an equine dental workplace or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions. There must be access to a range of horses and anatomical models and the relevant equipment and resources to enable one to demonstrate competence. |
Method of assessment |
To ensure consistency in performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry standards, on more than two occasions over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities 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:
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). |
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. 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. |
|
Structures of the head include: |
|
Functions of head and oral structures may include: |
|
Consequences of poor dental and oral health on nutrient absorption may include: |
|
Dental and oral trauma may include: |
|
Dental and oral related conditions may include: |
|
Dental congenital and genetic abnormalities may include: |
|
Other abnormal conditions may include: |
|
Potential impact on general health of dental injuries, diseases, dental abnormalities and other conditions may include: |
|
Potential consequences related to no dental care may include: |
|
Consequences of unskilled or inappropriate dental techniques may include: |
|
Unit Sector(s)
Equine dentistry