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. |
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Oral hygiene requirements appropriate to the client include care of: | Teeth Crowns, bridges, implants, braces and other orthodontic appliances Dentures Mouth Soft tissue |
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Person-centred refers to: | Effective service delivery Involving clients in discussions about service delivery options and issues Involving clients in informed decision-making relating to their care/service Listening to and addressing complaints Obtaining informed consent Putting clients, carers and their preferences at the centre of service delivery |
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Good oral health refers to but may not be limited to: | A person's mouth that has: breath without offensive odour inflammation and lesion-free soft tissue intact and stable teeth without cavities moist lips without chapping no build up of food, calculus or plaque no oral pain pink, moist, uncoated tongue watery plentiful saliva Looking after the whole mouth, including natural and artificial teeth, gums, tongue, lips and inside the cheeks Oral health related quality of life factors, such as appearance, social interaction and self-esteem |
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Individualised care support 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 |
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Client refers to those living in the community and/or facilities and may include: | Children receiving care, including in children's services Older persons Palliative care clients People in care or health facilities People with acquired brain injury People with dementia People with disabilities People with mental health issues |
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Substitute decision maker (in relation to consent) must be: | The person appointed with the right to speak for the client, such as: advocate carers guardians health attorneys medical power of attorney members of family other practitioners parent of child person responsible public trustee |
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Potential impacts may include but not be limited to: | Positive impacts, such as: able to chew food clean mouth improved general health and wellbeing improved social engagement or interaction increased self-esteem longevity Negative impacts, such as: discomfort disempowerment embarrassment fear humiliation pain trauma particularly as a result of poor technique |
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Situations of risk or potential risk, may include but not be limited to: | Complex care clients, such as those with dementia or parkinson's disease Emotional reaction from client, such as those related to dementia or anxiety Infection control Manual handling Oral side effects of medication Physical reaction from client Pre-existing medical conditions Reaction to contact with sensitive teeth Resistance from client Triggers for seizures |
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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 |
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Standards may include but not be limited to: | Aged Care Standards Community Care Common Standards Disability Service Standards Home and Community Care (HACC) National Health Standards Infection Control Standards National Standards for Mental Health Services |
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Organisation guidelines may include but are not limited to: | Clinical protocols Position descriptions Workplace policies and procedures, including: infection control WHS |
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Oral hygiene products and aids for teeth and soft tissue may include but not be limited to: | Alcohol-free mouthwash directed by an oral health practitioner as part of an oral health care plan Fluoride toothpaste Interdental brushes Manual and electric toothbrushes Modified toothbrushes Mouth props (if trained in their use) Saliva substitutes Soft toothbrush suitable for bending Specialised aids Sprays Sugar-free gums Tongue scraper Tooth remineraliser |
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Oral hygiene products and aids for dentures may include: | Denture adhesive Denture brush Denture disinfection product Denture labeling kit Denture soaking products Denture-friendly cleaner Named denture storage container (disposable or non-disposable) |
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Other materials required for oral hygiene may include: | Bowl or hand basin Cup of fresh water Disposable gloves Hand towel to be placed across clients chest Lip balm Towel |
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Toothbrushing may include: | Using currently accepted methods to clean: natural teeth fixed and removable prostheses soft tissue |
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Soft tissue care refers to: | Care of all soft tissue, including: cheeks gums lips palate tongue |
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Care of dentures refers to: | Cleaning, identifying and storing using currently accepted methods taking into account individual needs and preferences in line with the care plan |
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Use of alcohol-free mouthwash may refer to: | That which is directed by a health practitioner as part of an oral health care plan to enhance oral hygiene |
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Interdental cleaning refers to: | Cleaning between the teeth |
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Standard toothbrush care refers to: | Cleaning, storage and replacement of toothbrush to currently accepted standards |
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Techniques to improve oral hygiene practices may include but are not limited to: | Bridging: engages clients senses especially sight and touch engage client first and describe and show toothbrush mimic brushing of own teeth to provide physical prompt place brightly coloured toothbrush in client's preferred hand and they may mirror behaviour Chaining: if not initiated through bridging, gently bring clients hand and toothbrush to mouth, describing activity and then encourage the client to continue Hand over hand: if chaining does not work, place hand over client's hand and start brushing client's teeth so you are doing it together continued... |
Techniques to improve oral hygiene practices may include but are not limited to (cont'd): | Distraction: if hand over hand method is not successful, place a familiar item, such as towel, cushion or activity board, in client's hand while brushing their teeth Rescuing: if attempts at oral hygiene are not successful tell client you will leave it for now ask for assistance and perhaps have someone else take over |
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Modified oral hygiene methods and aids may include but are not limited to: | Appropriate alcohol-free mouthwash and gel Backward bent toothbrush, or similar implement to retract cheek while brushing with another toothbrush Bite block End tufted brush Flossers Hand grip on toothbrush for clients with reduced grip strength High fluoride toothpaste wiped onto teeth instead of brushing as a short term alternative only Mouth props for clients who clench or bite or who have difficulty opening mouth (specific training required) Mouth spray Mouth swabs Saliva substitute Suction swabs Tongue scraper and/or brush |
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Standard precautions refer to infection control and may include: | Wash hands before and after oral care Appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE): eye/facial protection e.g. glasses/face shield gloves gown mask Disposal of PPE |
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Additional precautions refer to: | Those infection control precautions that should be used, in addition to standard precautions, when these alone might not contain transmission of infection |
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Appropriate environment may include but is not limited to: | Choosing location where client is most comfortable Ensuring good lighting Maintaining client's preferred routines Turning off competing background noise, such as television or radio Using aids that may ease client anxiety e.g. hand mirror Using brightly coloured toothbrush that can be easily seen e.g. for children or for clients with dementia or visual impairment |
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Effective communication includes but is not limited to: | Active listening and questioning Always explaining actions and processes and reinforcing with gestures where appropriate Asking questions that require a yes or no response when oral hygiene practices are being carried out Giving one instruction or piece of information at a time Observing client closely as lack of response, signs of frustration, anger, disinterest or inappropriate responses may suggest communication is too complex or that client is uncomfortable Speaking at appropriate volume, clearly and at clients pace Using reassuring words and positive feedback Using words client can understand |
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Appropriate body language may include but is not limited to: | Being aware of approaching client appropriately e.g. diagonally from the front and at eye level Gently touching the client on the hand or lower arm to get attention, if necessary Positioning self at eye level and maintaining eye contact, as appropriate Being aware that personal space of clients can vary Being consistent in approach with positive expression and caring language |
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Caring attitude includes but is not limited to: | Allowing plenty of time for client to respond to questions or instructions Focusing on building a good relationship before starting oral hygiene Using the client's name Using a calm, friendly and non-demanding manner Working with a person-centred approach |
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Client behavioural responses may include but are not limited to: | Biting toothbrush Coughing Distress induced vomiting Fear response Gagging Grabbing or hitting out Leaving Not opening the mouth Not responding to directions Spitting Verbal aggression |
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Review may include but not be limited to the following questions and suggestions: | Are the oral hygiene aids appropriate for the client? Do others e.g. family and/or carer have input? Has the observed behaviour improved? Is attitude and approach considerate of client needs? Is the approach and routine consistent for client? Is the client more receptive to oral hygiene support? Is the environment, timing, language and expression right for client? |
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Report may include: | Non-verbal: care plans case notes hazard and incident reports photographs progress reports Verbal: face-to-face telephone recorded |
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Variations in client behaviour and habits may include: | Anxiety around, or avoidance of, specific events Apparent pain or discomfort in or around the mouth Behaviours of concern Change in eating habits Change in mood or demeanour Changes in communication Crying Difficulty with eating, including spitting out food Hands in the mouth Inconsistent wearing of dentures Lethargy Physical aggression Refusal to open mouth Rubbing own teeth or gums Seemingly normal behaviours e.g. coughing could be indicator that food is in the lungs Self-harming behaviour Social isolation or withdrawal |
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Signs and symptoms of potential oral health issues may include but not be limited to: | Observed and/or reported signs in or around the mouth, such as: bad breath (halitosis) bleeding broken teeth brown or discoloured teeth calculus (mineralised plaque that will not brush off) on teeth particularly at gum line change in colour or coating of tongue dry mouth eruption issues for children evidence of build up of dental plaque on teeth, particularly at gum line holes in teeth lip blisters, sores or cracks loose or mobile teeth mouth debris/excessive food left in mouth mouth ulcers premature loss of baby teeth receding or enlarged gums soft tissue lesions e.g. red or white spots swelling of face or localised swelling/inflammation continued..... |
Signs and symptoms of potential oral health issues may include but not be limited to (cont'd): | Issues reported by client and/or others, such as: tooth sensitivity refusal of oral care sore mouth, gums, tongue or teeth Other observations, such as: change in appetite change in demeanour or mood difficulty eating/speaking inability to open mouth very wide irritability refusing to open mouth weight loss Observed and/or reported issues with dentures, such as: broken metal wires/clips on partial denture calculus on denture chipped or missing teeth on denture or chipped or broken acrylic (gum) areas on denture denture movement when client is speaking or eating refusal or failure to wear denture sore spots caused by wearing denture unclean denture |
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Other relevant people may include but is not limited to: | External health care providers Other service providers Personnel internal to the service provider |
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Contributing factors may include but not be limited to: | Abuse Ageing Disability Injury Medications Substance misuse Systemic illness |