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 of assessment:

The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills

Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace

Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible

Conditions of assessment:

This unit includes skills and knowledge specific to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander culture

Assessment must therefore be undertaken by a workplace assessor who has expertise in the unit of competency or who has the current qualification being assessed and who is:

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander him/herself

or:

accompanied and advised by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person who is a recognised member of the community with experience in primary health care

Context of assessment:

Competence should be demonstrated working individually, under supervision or as part of a primary health care team working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients

Assessment should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible

Related units:

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

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

This includes knowledge of:

Anatomy and physiology underpinning oral health

Broad knowledge of oral disease and treatment options and relevant Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander culture and tradition related to oral health issues

Knowledge of symptoms and signs that suggest a need for further assessment and/or treatment

National Aboriginal Health Strategy

Organisation policies and procedures relating to client confidentiality

Role of the Aboriginal Health Worker in counselling and health education

Strategies to:

improve oral health in the community

address clients presenting with oral health problems

coordinate provision of optimum level of oral health service delivery

Oral health problems requiring referral

Effective self-care practices for oral health, including effective tooth-brushing technique

Relevant evaluation criteria for monitoring effectiveness of oral health care program

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Communicate effectively in a group and one-on-one environment to promote healthy practices and discuss health issues

Provide accurate and relevant information and guidance about oral health care in line with identified individual and community needs.

Comply with current NHMRC infection control guidelines, Australian Standards and legislative requirements

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

This includes the ability to:

Communicate effectively to provide information and ensure understanding of information provided

Liaise between service providers and community groups

Provide community education on oral health

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

Work with a team to deliver effective health promotion and education for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities and clients using appropriate facilitation, problem solving and instructional practices

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.

Cultural respect

This competency standard supports the recognition, protection and continued advancement of the inherent rights, cultures and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

It recognises that the improvement of the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must include attention to physical, spiritual, cultural, emotional and social well-being, community capacity and governance

Its application must be culturally sensitive and supportive of traditional healing and health, knowledge and practices

Community control

Community participation and control in decision-making is essential to all aspects of health work, and the role of the health worker is to support the community in this process

Supervision

Supervision must be conducted in accordance with prevailing state/territory and organisation legislative and regulatory requirements

References to supervision may include either direct or indirect supervision of work by more experienced workers, supervisors, managers or other health professionals

A person at this level should only be required to make decisions about clients within the organisation's standard treatment protocols and associated guidelines

Legislative requirements

Federal, state or territory legislation may impact on workers' practices and responsibilities. Implementation of the competency standards should reflect the legislative framework in which a health worker operates. It is recognised that this may sometimes reduce the application of the Range of Variables in practice. However, assessment in the workplace or through simulation should address all essential skills and knowledge across the Range of Variables

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health workers may be required to operate in situations that do not constitute 'usual practice' due to lack of resources, remote locations and community needs. As a result, they may need to possess more competencies than described by 'usual practice circumstances'

Under all circumstances, the employer must enable the worker to function within the prevailing legislative framework

Oral health education programs may include, but are not limited to:

Prescribed home fluoride treatments

Recommended toothpaste, toothbrush and oral hygiene aids for home use

Modifications due to disability and aged care requirements

Age dependent modifications for children

Causes and prevention of oral diseases may include, but are not limited to:

Role of plaque in development of dental caries and periodontal disease

Risk factors in development of dental caries, periodontal disease and non-carious tooth wear

Role of mouthguards in the prevention of trauma to dentition

Risk factors of cigarette smoking on oral soft tissues

Risk factors in diet related to the development of dental caries

Role of saliva in the prevention of dental caries

Oral hygiene techniques may include, but are not limited to:

Manual and electric tooth brushing technique

Use of dental floss

Use of fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinses when appropriate

Use of other specific oral hygiene aids when appropriate

Modifications to toothbrush handles for specific needs of client/carer

Modifications to application of program for carers of special needs and aged care clients

Modifications for young children

Modifications to techniques required for clients wearing oral appliances

Issues relating to diet and oral health may include:

Impact of cariogenic and low pH food, including:

level of intake

frequency of intake

consistency

content

Importance of reviewing current dietary habits

Oral diseases targeted in an oral health program may include those for:

Dental caries (decay of dentition)

Periodontal disease ( supporting structures of dentition)

Non carious tooth wear

Damage to dentition due to trauma

Damage to oral tissues due to cigarette smoking

Effects of low salivary flow

Appropriate aids may include:

Range of manual and electric toothbrushes

Range of oral hygiene aids, including a range of dental floss

A range of toothpastes

Range of mouth rinses

Face mirror for client

Strategies to improve oral health may include:

Collection of data as a basis for preventing, containing or eliminating diseases or conditions causing oral health problems

Identification of relationships between oral health and nutrition, demography, culture, socio-economic status and general health

Use of a community development approach to devise strategies to improve oral health