Certificate III In Dental Assisting

This is a Free TAFE for Priority Course. Find out about your eligibility

Play a crucial role in supporting dentists in delivering oral healthcare through a traineeship

Course code

HLT35021

Delivery location

Workplace

International

Not available for International students

Length

Full Time, 1 year. Part Time, 2 years.

Start dates

Ongoing. Students can enrol and commence at anytime

• Timetable

  Workplace (via distance learning) or one evening per week delivered with a combination of blended learning via Zoom (Tuesday evenings 6-9pm).
  
  • Days per week: 1
  • Hours per day: 3
  • Expected hours of self-directed learning per week: 3
  
  Learning is conducted partially in-person and partially online or remote.

• Study units

  Unit code	Unit Description
  HLTDEN016	Assist with dental radiography
  HLTAID011	Provide First Aid
  HLTDEN017	Assist with administration in dental practice
  HLTDEN015	Prepare for and assist with dental procedures
  CHCCOM005	Communicate and work in health or community services
  HLTINF006	Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
  HLTDEN028	Provide effective oral hygiene instruction to patients with an oral health treatment plan
  CHCDIV001	Work with diverse people.
  HLTWHS001	Participate in workplace health and safety
  HLTINF002	Process reusable medical devices and equipment

• Assessment methods

  • Observation
  • Questioning or Test/Quiz
  • Project
  • Portfolio

• Admission requirements

  You must be currently employed and have a Registered Training Agreement with your employer.

  Inherent requirements

  Our inherent requirements are a guide to help you decide if a course is right for you.

  If you are a student with a disability, long-term illness, mental health condition or are a primary carer of an individual with a disability, you can apply for support through our Equitable Learning and Disability Support team.

  Physical:
  Stand and / or walk for prolonged periods (>30 minutes) of time when working within a Dental assisting roll.
  Provide basic cleaning duties including but not limited to, wiping down surfaces, mopping, carrying cleaning products of varying weights including buckets, cleaning agents and other pieces of equipment between locations and ability to operate a step ladder safely.
  
  Cognitive/Emotional:
  Robust interpersonal skills including written, verbal and non-verbal practices.
  Work within infection control and general WHS guidelines.
  
  Experience:
  Students must be employed in a dental clinic.
  
  Industry:
  Emotional flexibility and stability to cater for varying patient needs and the ability to handle general stressors (meeting deadlines, managing expectations, task management, etc.)
  Basic computer literacy, including but not limited to the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint), email functions, internet browsing and other general computer functions.
  Access to the internet to engage in self-study.
  Robust interpersonal skills including written, verbal and non-verbal practices.
  Work within infection control and general WHS guidelines.

  Language, literacy and numeracy

  You are required to complete a language, literacy and numeracy skills test before course commencement. This will determine course suitability and if you may need additional support.
  
  We use an approved online skills review tool to determine your language, literacy and numeracy skills within the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF).
  
  Below are the levels required for this course:

  • Language and literacy: 2
  • Numeracy: 2

• Practical placement

  You must complete at least 350 hours of work placement as a dental assistant, to successfully complete this course. You will need to organise a placement host.

  Documentation or licences required for practical placement

  Vaccination certificates are required.
  
  You must also:
  • Hold a valid Working with Children Check (volunteer or employee) for the duration of the program.
  • Hold a valid National Police Record Check. If you believe there would be a disclosable issue on your National Police Check, a confidential conversation will be required before enrolment to determine suitability for work within the healthcare environment.
  • Provide a signed Practical Placement Agreement

• Simulated work environment

  The following dress code applies at your workplace:
  
  • Shoes – black, non-slip, covering your whole foot to your ankle
  • Uniform – as provided by your employer
  • Hair – must be kept above your shoulders (long hair tied up into a bun)
  • No eye lash extensions
  • Nails – must be kept short, no acrylic nails, no nail polish.
  • Piercings – no large loops
  • Jewelry – kept to a minimum, hand jewelry limited to a single band (no stones)
  • Personal hygiene – showering and wearing of deodorant is expected

• Course and career pathways

  Nationally recognised training	Certificate III In Dental Assisting	Certificate IV In Dental Assisting
  Possible job outcome	dental assistant	dental assistant

• Fees

  Tuition fees* (GST exempt)

  Fees

  Fee Type	Fee Amount	Select
  Free TAFE	FREE	freeAmount
  Concession	$749	ConcessionAmount
  Government subsidised	$3,741	GovernmentSubsidisedAmount
  Full fee paying	$10,755	FullfeeAmount
  Mandatory other fees** (GST inclusive)
  Materials	$0	MaterialFeeAmount
  And one of: Student services – concession (annual) OR	$0	studentservicefeewithnoConcession
  Student services - no concession (annual)	$0	studentservicefeewithnoConcession

  Total fees  

  *Student tuition fees are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Please note: Fees will be subject to change if the course runs over two or more calendar years. Check here to see if you are eligible for government-subsidised training. Training to eligible students is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth funding. Students with a disability are encouraged to apply for this course using Skills First funding.
  **You are required to pay additional fees for materials and support services, not covered by your tuition fees. This may include things like learning resources, personal protective equipment/clothing, and vary depending on the course you study. Material fees are also subject to change given individual circumstances. Please note: You will also be required to pay the Student Services fee for each year of enrolment.

• Help with fees

  Payment plans

  At Chisholm, you can spread your tuition costs over the year by making part payments via direct debit on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis. Payment plans are available for local students enrolling in certificate level courses only. Read more about payment plans.

  Scholarships

  Annual scholarships may be available to eligible students suffering financial hardship through the Caroline Chisholm Education Foundation. Find out more about the scholarships, which to date have supported more than 150 students with grants ranging from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand, depending on circumstance and the area of study.

  Government-subsidised training

  Check here to see if you are eligible for government-subsidised training. Training to eligible students is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth funding. Students with a disability are encouraged to apply for this course using Skills First funding.

• Skills recognition

  Your current skills, knowledge and experience can help you get a qualification.

  Find out about skills recognition and RPL for certificate to advanced diploma courses.

  Find out about advanced standing for graduate certificate, graduate diploma and bachelor degree courses.