Description

WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?

This short course is designed to support qualified Dental Hygienists to expand their scope of practice through the development of knowledge and practical skills in the selection of local anaesthetic agents for dental treatment.

As the role of Dental Hygienists continues to evolve, there is an increasing industry need for practitioners to have the skills and confidence to provide a broader range of clinical services. This course supports Dental Hygienists who did not complete local anaesthesia training as part of their original training, enabling them to meet current professional expectations and enhance their clinical capability.

Delivered by experienced dental educators, this course provides targeted professional development focused on the safe and effective use of local anaesthesia within the dental setting.

WHO'S IT FOR?

This course is designed for qualified Dental Hygienists who:
- Hold a Diploma or Advanced Diploma in Oral Health (Dental Hygiene) or equivalent qualification
- Are currently registered with the Dental Board of Australia
- Wish to expand their scope of clinical practice by gaining local anaesthesia skills
- Require additional training to support current workplace requirements
- Are experienced dental professionals seeking a refresher when transitioning into new employment roles or clinical environments

This course is suitable for Dental Hygienists working across metropolitan and regional South Australia seeking professional development opportunities

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

This is a non-accredited short course and does not contribute towards a formal qualification or award pathway.

The course has been developed to support contemporary dental industry requirements and aligns with expectations of professional practice within the oral health sector, including considerations of the Dental Board of Australia and Australian Dental Council requirements.

If you are undertaking this course with the intention to add Local Anaesthesia to your scope of practice for the first time, you will also be required to submit a signed log of 6 local anaesthetic administrations on patients, observed by a colleague who is registered as a Dental Practitioner with the Dental Board of Australia and regularly delivers local anaesthetic. A statement will be issued on completion of the logbook.

OUTCOMES OF THE COURSE

On successful completion of this short course, participants will develop the knowledge and practical skills required to:
• Understand the principles of local anaesthesia within dental practice
• Select appropriate local anaesthetic agents for dental treatment
• Safely administer local anaesthetic agents within their professional scope of practice
• Apply clinical knowledge and techniques to support effective patient care
• Enhance their employability and professional capability through expanded clinical skills

This course supports Dental Hygienists to respond to changing industry needs and patient expectations to confidently provide additional clinical services within their registered scope of practice.

This course is intended to contribute to the ability of Dental Hygienists to deliver local anaesthetic as part of their scope of practice. Participants should note that the 'Dental Board of Australia Scope of Practice Standard, July 2020' states 'Dental practitioners must only perform dental treatment for which they have been educated and trained and in which they are competent'. Completion of this course does not provide complete evidence of ongoing competency in the delivery of local anaesthesia. This is the responsibility of the practitioner.

Please refer to the Dental Board of Australia - Know your scope webpage for resources to assist you in determining your scope of practice.

Payment options:

Organisations that wish to pay the student fees for this course and are unable to pay by credit card via the website should contact the Short Course team via email on ShortCourses@tafesa.edu.au to organise a Third Party Payment invoice.