Certificate III in Dental Assisting HLT35021

Dental Assisting is designed for individuals who are interested in starting a career in the dental industry or those who are already working in the field and wish to formalize their skills with a recognized qualification. This course is suitable for those who have a genuine interest in healthcare, oral hygiene, and patient care. It is also an excellent fit for individuals who are organized, have strong interpersonal skills, and can work well in a team-oriented environment as these traits are crucial for dental assistants. Additionally, it's an ideal starting point for those who may wish to further their studies in dentistry in the future, such as aspiring dental hygienists or dental therapists.  

The HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting equips students with a broad range of skills and knowledge required for effective dental assistance. Here is a list of what you will learn in this course:  

• Dental Terminology: Understanding the specific terms and language used in the dental field.  
• Patient Care: How to provide comfort, support, and assistance to patients before, during, and after dental procedures.  
• Infection Control: Knowledge and practical skills to maintain high standards of infection control in a dental setting.  
• Chair-side Assistance: How to effectively assist dentists during various dental procedures, including preparation and organization of dental instruments and materials.  
• Oral Health Education: Techniques for educating patients about maintaining good oral health and preventing dental diseases.  
• Dental Radiography: Basic principles and safety protocols of dental radiography, and how to assist in taking dental X-rays.  
• Dental Anatomy and Physiology: Understanding of the structure, functions, and conditions of teeth, mouth, and jaw.  
• Dental Office Administration: Skills to manage administrative tasks in a dental practice, including scheduling, record-keeping, and communication.  
• Equipment Maintenance: How to maintain, clean, and sterilize dental equipment.  
• Dental Procedures: An overview of common dental procedures, their purpose, and how to assist in their execution.  
• First Aid: Providing immediate care in emergency situations, including CPR.  
• Professional Ethics: Understanding the ethical and legal responsibilities in a dental practice.  

• Multiple choice Quiz
• Projects
• Role plays
• Video
• Work Placement
• Written assignments
• Short-answer questions
• Work Placement Final Feedback
• Workplace Portfolios
• Written reports

The duration for the course is maximum 18 months. As a self-paced online course, the time it will take you to complete is flexible and dependent on ability and time available.

Recommended Local Entry Requirements

Students will need to be at least 18 years old. Students under 18 will need a parent or guardian to complete the parent or guardian declaration on the Enrolment Form.

Students residing in WA/NT under the age of 18, who are not currently studying for their year 12 certificate cannot be enrolled.

Students are recommended to have the language, literacy, and numeracy skills that ensure the ability to read and comprehend technical terms and communicate effectively through email.

These skills are equivalent to:

• Successfully completed Year 10 OR
• ACSF Level 2

Tools, equipment, and skills required:

• Access to up to 3 people to participate in role plays and assessments
• Access to a device with audio & video capabilities to record simulated role-play tasks for submission
• A simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions for role-play with facilities and equipment
• Tripod to provide a stable and secure platform to mount the digital recording device
• Basic computing skills
• Access to a modern computer with high-speed internet
• Access to Microsoft Office
  
  

Students will be required to purchase the following:

• Dental assisting instrument guide (By: Donna Phinney, Judy Halstead) - $89.58 (Amazon)
  
  

Physical Requirements

Dental assistants perform a variety of tasks that require specific physical abilities:

• Manual Dexterity & Hand-Eye Coordination: Precise hand movements are essential for assisting dentists and handling delicate instruments.
• Physical Stamina & Endurance: The ability to stand for extended periods and assist patients effectively.
• Good Vision & Depth Perception: Clear vision is crucial for identifying fine details in the mouth.
• Working Under Pressure & Managing Stress: The ability to perform in fast-paced environments and respond promptly to emergencies.
• Effective Communication & Hearing Ability: Clear verbal communication is essential when providing instructions to patients or assisting the dentist.

Role Plays 

Learners will need to work with one or two other people to participate in video or audio roleplays. It is the responsibility of the learner to find their own suitable role-play participants. Role play participants will need to be able to be in the same room as the learner for the purposes of recording the interaction. Role play participants will need to act out scenarios typically found in the dental sector. They will play roles of colleagues and clients with differing circumstances. There are a total of 17 video role plays in the course. 

Additional Requirements:

• Some businesses may request the student complete a free online Hand Hygiene course prior to commencing placement
• Uniform – close-toed rubber soled shoes and have their hair tied back. Workplaces may also specify a uniform they would like the learner to wear
  
  

• By undertaking a work placement you’ll get a chance to put the knowledge you’ve learned on your course into practice.
• You’ll also develop practical, on-the-job skills and could make contacts that could help you find a job once you graduate.
• Work placement is often the most rewarding part of a student’s course. Working face-to-face with clients and colleagues in your chosen field makes a huge difference to your career confidence.

Focus on your studies while we handle your work placement. Through our partnership with SkilTrak, our Guaranteed Work Placement ensures you gain hands-on experience in your dream career—right in your local area. Learn more

• Meet with SkilTrak – Their team will discuss your skills, goals, location, and travel preferences to arrange the best placement for you.
• We’ll do the work – While you continue your coursework, we’ll be behind the scenes securing the perfect placement match.
• Get the details – Have a quick chat with us to go over what to expect from your work placement experience.
• Start your placement – Gain real-world experience while we check in along the way to ensure everything is running smoothly.
• Complete your course – Once your placement is done, upload your workbooks, finish your final assessment, and receive your certificate.

The Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) will require a minimum of 350 hours in a General Dental Practice providing a range of oral health care procedures including endodontics and oral surgery.
The host organisation should be a general dental clinic or dental hospital where a wide range of dental procedures are performed. Specialised dental clinics are not suitable, as students are required to complete their course with knowledge of how to assist the dentist across all dental procedures.

These hours will be split into 2 sections:

• 175 hours – Work placement (Module 5)
• 225 hours – Work placement (Module 9)
  

There will also be specific assessment tasks including a logbook and portfolios to be completed at the workplace.

Workplaces suitable to undertake SWL include:

• General Dentistry Clinics
• Specialised Dental Clinics including endodontics and oral surgery, where reasonable adjustment is possible

For students to be able to undertake the practical component of the course, approved workplaces must be able to provide students with the required equipment, environments, policies & procedures, documentation, appropriate supervisor, and clients. If host organisations are unable to provide the necessary equipment, resources, and access to clients the student may be required to undertake SWL within 2 (or more) organisations.

The workplace may require the student to meet workplace specific requirements. These will vary by state and by organisation. Some of the statutory checks and requirements the student may need to provide to commence work placement are:

• National Criminal Record Check
• Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP) or Working with Children Check
• Code of Conduct
• Confidentiality Agreement
• Occupational Assessment, screening and vaccination against infectious diseases including COVID-19, Hepatitis B, Influenza, Tetanus
• First Aid Certificate
  
  

Please note that your host organisation may require you to provide an up to date immunisation history prior to the commencement of your work placement. Open Colleges has no control over this requirement so if you are unable to provide this, you will need to discuss it with your intended Host Organisation.

It should also be noted that some immunisations, such as Hepatitis B and COVID-19, need multiple injections to be administered over a specific time period before you are deemed immune. It is important that you consult with your GP as soon as possible to avoid delays in starting your work placement.

Your supervisor is required to have completed the Certificate III in Dental Assisting (or higher) and have 5 years of relevant industry experience.  

If a qualified dental assistant is not available, a dentist, dental hygienist, or dental therapist may supervise you instead.