Unit of competency details

Descriptor 

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to take a range of impressions for clients who are dentate or edentulous

The use of a wide range of materials and equipment, in many different situations, are required for this unit

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:

• HLTIN301C Comply with infection control policies and procedures
• HLTIN302B Process reusable instruments and equipment in health work

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. Assess the client

1.1 Confirm client's medical history

1.2 Interpret prescription where required

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

1.4 Obtain and document consent following ethical and legal requirements

1.5 Select the equipment and instruments  for the impression

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

1.7 Adjust the dental clinic to accommodate the client's needs

2. Select impression tray and modify if required

2.1 Select an appropriate impression tray  for the technique and the client

2.2 Modify the impression tray where necessary to assure comfort and accuracy

3. Select and prepare impression materials

3.1 Select impression materials  in accordance with desired outcome

3.2 Consider clients' comfort and the indications for the use of particular materials

3.3 Prepare the correct materials and medicaments using the correct technique, to the correct consistency and quantity required

3.4 Modify materials where indicated

4. Perform impression taking procedure

4.1 Implement standard precautions  to prevent the spread of infection

4.2 Position and prepare the client for the procedure

4.3 Instruct client on participation during the procedure

4.4 Place impression tray and mixed material in client's mouth

4.5 Carry-out muscle trimming

4.6 Monitor and reassure the client throughout the procedure and provide first aid support if required

4.7 Remove the impression when set

4.8 Examine the client's mouth for injury and impression material debris following removal of the impression

4.9 Restore the client's comfort and appearance

4.10 Document details of the procedure in accordance with standard procedures and relevant guidelines

4.11 Assess the quality of the impression for the required prosthetic appliance

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:

• Applied oral anatomy

• dentition - arrangement of the teeth, naming and coding of teeth
• structures of the oral cavity - hard and soft palate, lateral and posterior borders of the oral cavity, tongue and floor of the mouth
• teeth - form and function

• Awareness of the effects of disability, medical conditions and medications on the impression taking procedure
• Client management techniques
• Current infection control guidelines
• First aid
• Legal and ethical issues relating to: informed consent, duty of care, confidentiality, disability awareness
• Physical and chemical properties of dental impression materials
• Principles and practices which underpin interpersonal communication
• Principles of quality assurance and work effectiveness
• Relevant occupational health and safety policies and procedures
• The rationale and objectives for the taking of impressions
• The rationale, criteria for selection and use of dental impression materials

Essential skills :

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to

• Consistently prepare clients, environments, instruments and materials for impression procedures.
• Consistently take a range of impressions
• Consistently comply with occupational health and safety procedures.
• Consistently implement standard precautions
• Consistently follow procedures to ensure client safety during impression procedures

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 a range of impression procedures
• Consistently perform a range of impression techniques for:

• clients who are edentulous
• clients who are dentate

• 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
• negotiation/asking questions

• 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. 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.

Equipment and instruments may include :

• Burner
• Custom made impression tray
• Examination mirrors
• Existing denture
• Mixing bowl and/or mixing pad
• Spatula
• Stock impression tray
• Storage container for transportation

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

Impression procedures may include :

• Primary impressions
• Impressions for

• additions to existing denture
• repair to existing denture
• relining or rebasing
• study models
• protective mouthguard

• Secondary impressions

• complete dentures
• partial dentures

Impression trays may include but are not limited to :

• Custom impression trays
• Stock impression trays

Impression materials may include but are not limited to  :

• Compound

• impression
• tracing stick (greenstick)

• Elastomeric materials
• Hydrocolloids (reversible and irreversible)
• Metallic oxide pastes
• Periphery waxes
• Tissue conditioner (functional impression material)

Standard precautions must include :

• Appropriate reprocessing and storage of reusable instruments
• Personal hygiene practices especially washing and drying hands before and after client contact
• Surface cleaning
• Techniques to limit contamination
• Use of personal protective equipment