Foundation Education

Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Radiography & Oral Health Promotion Specialisation)

Set yourself up with the skills and knowledge you need provide positive dental experiences.

According to the Job Outlook website, as published by the Australian government, dental assisting employment opportunities are projected to grow over the next five years at a moderate growth rate*. With qualified Dental Assistants in demand, now is a great time to gain specialist knowledge in radiography and oral health promotion, as learned in the Certificate IV in Dental Assisting – Radiography and Oral Health Promotion Specialisation.

The Certificate IV in Dental Assisting – Radiography and Oral Health Promotion Specialisation will equip you with the skills required to ensure the smooth running of a dental practice. You will learn how to manage appointments, record and reconcile payments and maintain patient records as part of your dental reception duties. You will also learn to implement standard and transmission-based precautions, respond to infection risk, prepare necessary equipment, instruments and materials for oral health care procedures and assist operators with the delivery of these procedures.

As part of the dual specialisation, you will learn how to expose a prescribed dental radiographic image, produce a prescribed dental radiographic image and apply the principles of radiation biology and protection in dental practice. You will also learn how to implement an individualised oral hygiene program and an oral health promotion program.

The theory components of this course are delivered online for completion in your own time, in conjunction with 250 hour of work experience in a dental clinic of your choosing and an initial 50 hours completed in simulation. Your demonstrated ability in the dental industry will expand your opportunities in a range of areas, including community health clinics and the dental, oral surgery and orthodontics sectors.

Upon graduation, you will be qualified to provide an advanced level of assistance to dental professionals as a Dental Assistant or Dental Hygienist Assistant. With your dual specialisation, you will also be qualified to implement oral health promotion programs and produce prescribed dental radiographic images as an Oral Health Advisor or Dental Radiographer Assistant.

*Source: Joboutlook.gov.au

Transition Period
Please note that this course is currently in a transition period (superseded due to Government-mandated updates), with updates due for release in the coming year. Rest assured, completion of this course version before 29 April 2022 will still provide you with a valid and quality outcome. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Computer Requirements

• Computer: Laptop or desktop computer with working speakers or headphone points
• Internet: High-speed internet such as Broadband or ADSL, T1/T2, fibre optic (Dial-up access is not recommended)
• Windows: Operating system – Windows 8 or above
• Internet Browser: Google Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Internet Explorer 11
• MAC: Operating system - OS X 10.14 Mojave or later
• Software: Flash, Adobe Reader, Microsoft Word (or Open Office which is free to download)