Elements and Performance Criteria

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.


Basic routine oral health screening services may include:
Routine screening by age, sex, ethnicity and regional disease prevalence
Screening practices in line with relevant, organisation, local, state, territory and national guidelines


Screening refers to:
Following a process to collect specific information and determine a prescribed course of action


Tools to work with certain individuals may include but not be limited to:
Abbey pain scale - an augmentative pain screening tool for people with cognitive impairment, such as that caused by dementia
Augmentative or alternative communication systems, such as symbols or picture cards
Bite blocks
Tongue depressors
Torch


Substitute decision maker (in relation to consent) must be:
The person appointed with the right to speak for the client and may include:
advocate
carers
guardians
health attorneys
medical power of attorney
members of family
other practitioners
parent of child
person responsible
public trustee


Legislative requirements refers to:
Federal, state or territory legislation that may impact on workers' practices and responsibilities, noting that implementation of the unit of competency must reflect the legislative framework in which a worker operates


Screening tools that are currently accepted by the oral health sector include:
Basic instruments that are appropriate for use in simple oral health screening, such as:
computer-assisted triaging tools, such as 'Relative Needs Index' and 'Information System for Oral Health'
'Lift the Lip'


Specific individual issues may include but not be limited to:
Ability to self-report
Age
Cultural and socioeconomic background
Current knowledge and practices
Developmental stage


Document and record may include the use of:
Photographs
Verbal reports
Written reports


Organisation guidelines may include but are not limited to:
Clinical protocols
Position descriptions
Workplace policies and procedures, including:
infection control
work health and safety (WHS)


Other health personnel may include but are not limited to:
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health workers
Allied health professionals, such as:
dietitians
health promotion officers
nutritionists
occupational therapists
physiotherapists
speech therapists
General practitioners
Members of the community who provide health care
Nurses
Oral health practitioners
Specialists


Feedback may be provided:
As a recording using sound or visual media
In writing
Using symbols or drawings
Verbally

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 unit of competency:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
This unit is best assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace under the normal range of conditions
Consistency in performance should consider the particular workplace context


Access and equity considerations:
All workers in health and community services environments should be aware of access, equity and human rights 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 issues facing Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues relating to factors impacting on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities


Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit can be delivered and assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice with other community services units of competency is encouraged
Resources required for assessment include:
access to appropriate workplace where assessment can take place
simulation of realistic workplace setting


Method of assessment:
In cases where the learner does not have the opportunity to cover all relevant aspects in the work environment, the remainder should be assessed through realistic simulations, projects, previous relevant experience or oral questioning on 'What if?' scenarios
Assessment of this unit of competency will include observation of processes and procedures, oral and/or written questioning on essential knowledge and skills and consideration of required attitudes
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over a range of relevant workplace conditions


Related units:
This unit may be assessed independently or in conjunction with other units with associated workplace application