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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Prepare for and participate in the application of fluoride varnish
  2. Apply fluoride varnish to teeth
  3. Provide information to client and/or significant others
  4. Complete reporting and documentation according to organisation policy and procedures

Required Skills

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

These include knowledge of

Awareness of relevant jurisdictional legislation and regulation relating to fluoride including schedule supply authorisation and disposal

Awareness of the National Oral Health Plan and other relevant state territory and national government policy and programs

Advantages and disadvantages of fluoride varnish use over other preventive productsprocedures

Basic anatomy and physiology underpinning oral health and hygiene

Benefits and risks associated with fluoride varnish

Causes and prevention of tooth wear including erosion abrasion and attrition

Common equipment and aids utilised in the application of fluoride such as mouth props

Effective selfcare practices for oral health

Emergency procedures that may be required during the application of fluoride varnish

Factors that impact on oral health including

abuse

access to services

accumulation of plaque and calculus

alcohol licit and illicit drugs and substances and over the counter and herbal treatments

alcohol misuse

bacteria in dental plaque

client education

correct infant feeding practices

diet and nutrition including fluids

fluoride

general health and wellbeing

immunosuppressant conditions

oral piercings

medical history

psychological issues such as fear of being seen without dentures or persisting with ill fitting dentures for satisfaction of others

salivary function

smoking

social and cultural determinants of health

susceptible tooth surfaces

transmission of bacteria particularly from parent to child

trauma such as from seizures

Healthy eating recommendations as identified in the National Health and Medical Research Councils NHMRC Australian Dietary Guidelines

Work health and safety WHS issues and procedures including those related to manual handling and infection control

continued

Essential knowledge contd

Oral disease and broad treatment options available

Own work role and responsibilities in the application of fluoride varnish Personal safety and security risks associated with provision of fluoride varnish application

Principles and practices in undertaking technical skills associated with the application of fluoride

Principles and practices of confidentiality privacy and consent

Processes and strategies to support people with oral hygiene care needs

Relevant evaluation criteria for monitoring effectiveness of fluoride varnish application program

Role of significant others in supporting clients oral health care needs

Safe application of fluoride varnish

Safe storage of products

Symptoms and signs that suggest need for further assessment andor treatment

The relationship between oral health and general health

Tooth development including understanding of the

life cycle of a tooth

tooth eruption

tooth structure

tooth types

Essential skills

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to

Adhere to own work role and responsibilities in line with organisation policies and procedures

Apply fluoride varnish safely and effectively in line with product guidelines and oral health care benefits

Carry out effective oral health selfcare practices

Communicate effectively with people requiring application of fluoride varnish and their families andor carers andor significant others

Identify and respond to risks associated with applying fluoride varnish

Liaise and report appropriately to supervisor andor oral or other health practitioners

Make informed observations and report appropriately including the identification of variations to oral health care support requirements

Obtain and follow relevant information from an individualised care support plan

Reflect on and improve own level and application of skills and knowledge to achieve desirable outcomes and maintain own capabilities

Use processes aids and equipment appropriately in the application of fluoride varnish

Use relevant technology including information technology safely and effectively

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

These include the ability to

Apply basic problemsolving skills to resolve problems of limited difficulty within organisation protocols

Apply literacy and numeracy skills required to fulfill work role in a safe manner and as specified by the organisation

Consistently demonstrate interpersonal skills including empathy when relating to people from a range of backgrounds and abilities

Work effectively with clients colleagues and supervisors

Evidence Required

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 andor Torres Strait Islander communities workers should be aware of cultural historical and current issues impacting on Aboriginal andor Torres Strait Islander people

Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues relating to factors impacting on Aboriginal andor 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 andor 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


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.

Fluoride varnish refers to:

A highly concentrated form of fluoride which is applied to tooth's surface as a type of topical fluoride therapy

may be applied to enamel, dentine or cementum of tooth and can be used to help prevent decay, remineralise tooth surface and treat dentine hypersensitivity

not permanent varnish but due to adherent nature will stay in contact with tooth surface for several hours

Clients may include:

Clients with prescribed application of fluoride varnish in an individualised oral health care plans, such as those in:

aged care facilities

correctional facilities

mental health facilities

rural, remote or isolated communities

Oral health care plan may include:

A stand-alone individualised oral health care support plan

Care plan written by an appropriate health practitioner

Oral hygiene care plan

Personal care tasks embedded in a wider individualised plan

Contraindications may include but not be limited to:

A known allergy to one of the constituents of the varnish

Being pregnant or lactating

Last application less than three months earlier

Not having eaten prior to treatment

Significant others may include but are not limited to:

Any person with the appointed right to speak for the client, such as:

carers

guardians

members of family

other professionals

Benefits of fluoride varnish include but may not be limited to:

Prevention and reduction of dental caries

Reduced tooth sensitivity

Risks associated with fluoride varnish include but may not be limited to:

Incorrect dose which may be toxic

Over-application i.e. less than three months apart

Swallowing fluoride varnish which can be toxic and corrective action i.e. drinking milk must be taken

Advantages of fluoride varnish over other procedures includes but may not be limited to:

Can be used in some cases where there is tooth sensitivity resulting from erosion or abrasion

Dries rapidly and will set even in presence of saliva

Has sticky consistency which helps it adhere to tooth's surface

Quickly applied

Disadvantages of fluoride varnish over other procedures includes but may not be limited to:

Is technique sensitive and poor technique, such as not covering entire specified surface negates outcomes

May cause a temporary change in the surface colour of teeth as well as some filling materials

May cause gagging and/or vomiting

May require a dry field during application

Requires client cooperation

Consent may be:

Verbal

Written

Fluoride varnish kit may consist of:

Applicator/micro-brush

Cotton rolls

Fluoride varnish

Gauze for cleaning tooth in preparation for varnish

Appropriate amount of fluoride varnish refers to:

Amount as stated in the product application guidelines or oral health care plan and depending upon the specific product

Apply fluoride varnish in correct manner refers to:

Keeping client mouth open and tongue away from teeth

Maintaining moisture control

Retracting lip, wiping and applying a thin layer of varnish to the teeth as prescribed in the oral health care plan

Ensuring varnish is applied only directly to the area prescribed in the oral health care plan without contact with other tissues

Wiping tongue to remove excess varnish using wipe

Never dispensing product in addition to that stated in the oral health care plan

Legislative requirements refer 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

Organisation policies and procedures may include but not be limited to:

Clinical protocols

Position descriptions

Workplace policies and procedures, including:

infection control

WHS

Standard precautions refer to infection control and include:

Washing hands before and after oral care

Appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including:

gloves

mask

eye/facial protection e.g. glasses/face shield

gown

Use, where appropriate, environmental barriers, such as plastic coverings on chair headrests

Disposal of PPE

Appropriate handling of contaminated waste

Effective environmental cleaning

Recommended guidelines for eating, drinking fluids and brushing/cleaning teeth include:

Client should not eat or drink for specified time as per product instructions to prevent removal of fluoride varnish unless necessary e.g. if diabetic

Client should avoid hot foods and should eat a soft, non-abrasive diet for the rest of the day

Drinking cool fluids, preferably water, is acceptable

Resume regular and effective oral health procedures as per practitioners recommendations in the oral health care plan