Certificate III in Dental Assisting and Certificate IV in Dental Assisting

Prepare yourself for a career in dental health with a Certificate III in Dental Assisting and Certificate IV in Dental Assisting

Are you interested in oral healthcare and helping teach good dental hygiene? Would you like to enter an in-demand profession with solid income potential and opportunity in growth? The HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting and HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting might be the right study pathway for you. Designed to be completed within just 24 months of back-to-back study, these qualifications teach you everything you need to know on how to become a dental assistant.

The Certificate III in Dental Assisting reflects the position of workers who assist dental practitioners during oral health care procedures. The role includes maintaining high standards of infection control, assisting with practice administration, and supporting quality and professionalism in the dental sector. To achieve this qualification, you must complete at least 350 hours of work placement. Similarly, the Certificate IV in Dental Assisting signifies the role of dental employees who provide an advanced level of assistance to dental practitioners which contributes to the quality of oral health care. You must complete Certificate III before commencing study on Certificate IV. 

The dental assistant courses are delivered online combined with practical components to ensure you enter the dental sector highly qualified and ready to hit the ground running. Whether you’re wanting to become a dental assistant, dental receptionist or dental hygienist, these certificates in dental assisting provide you with all the skills, expertise and experienced required to make a prosperous career in the industry.

Interested in becoming qualified as a Dental Radiographer? Dental radiography work must only be performed by a person with a radiation user licence granted by the relevant State /Territory regulatory authority under legislation. To learn the skills necessary to apply for a licence, you’ll need to study a HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Dental Radiography).

*Source: joboutlook.gov.au 

The HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting and HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting is a Nationally Recognised course.

Course Outcomes

Once you’ve completed your HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting and HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting, you’ll be able to provide an advanced level of assistance to dental practitioners which contributes to the quality of oral health care. There are plenty of employment opportunities available upon completing these qualifications, including dental assistant, dental therapy assistant, dental sterilisation nurse and dental hygienist assistant.

Dental Assistant

Dental assistants will assist dentists, hygienists and therapists with a mixture of dental procedures. Their responsibilities include but are not limited to prepping for procedures and cleaning up afterwards, assisting through the duration of the treatments (such as passing instruments and operating the suction apparatus), developing X-rays and carrying out general administrative duties.

Dental Therapy Assistant

As a registered healthcare professional, a dental therapy assistant specialises in the oral care of children and teenagers. Their main role is to provide help prepping young patients for examinations and treatments to improve productivity in the workplace. Dental therapy assistants focus on patient care and ensuring patients feel comfortable and receive all the necessary information regarding their examination or procedure.

Dental Sterilisation Nurse

Dental sterilisation nurses play a pivotal role in the dental practice. They are responsible for cleaning the instruments used in procedures, keeping the environment clean and adhering to strict infection control guidelines. The proper sterilisation of equipment is an essential part of dentistry and it’s the dental sterilisation nurse’s job to ensure they provide their patients with the highest quality dental care.

Dental Receptionist

A dental receptionist ensures the dental practice operates smoothly and efficiently. Their responsibilities are wide and varied, ranging from being the first point of contact with patients, managing incoming calls, scheduling appointments, assisting patients with forms and advising them of policies, handling general administration, handling test results and communicating with supply vendors. They need to be highly organised with fantastic interpersonal skills.

Dental Hygienist Assistant

With a focus on promoting oral health and preventing periodontal disease, a dental hygienist assistant assists dental hygienists and dentists in a broad range of procedures. The workload is highly interesting and the day-to-day tasks often vary. Their duties include assisting with check-ups and teeth cleaning as well as being an integral part of patient education on proper dental care and preventative care.