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National code: HLT45021

Certificate IV in Dental Assisting

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Overview About this course

Make your mark as a qualified dental assistant offering an advanced level of support to dental practitioners. Contribute to the quality of community oral health care with a range of in-demand dental skills that you can apply across the industry.

Outcomes What you'll gain

Learning outcomes

Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:

  • Assist with oral health promotion

  • Comply with infection control

  • Assist with dental radiography

  • Process reusable medical devices

  • Assist with administration in dental practice

Course outcomes

Gain practical experience and develop specialist skills that give you an advantage in the job market.

  • Skills and knowledge to work across the dental industry

  • Completion of logbooks and projects under supervision with the skills to work at an advanced level

  • High level assistance to a dentist, dental hygienist, dental radiographer, dental therapist or oral health therapist

  • An EPA licence if radiography units or a radiology specialisation has been studied

Suitability Is this course right for you?

Entry requirements

This course requires evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol

  • This course is offered as a traineeship. Enquire today to check the eligibility requirements.

  • That you are employed in the dental industry for at least 1 day per week to enrol in this qualification

  • Entry to this qualification is open to individuals who have achieved:

  • Certificate III in Dental Assisting - HLT31812 or

  • Certificate III in Dental Assisting - HLT35015 or

  • Certificate III in Dental Assisting - HLT35021 or equivalent

  • Before your first day of class you must complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) skills test and achieve a score of 3 across learning, reading, writing and oral communication. You must also achieve a score of 2 for Numeracy and Digital Literacy.

  • This helps us to determine that your skills match the demands of the course, to direct you to an alternative study option or to provide you with the appropriate support for your success. Your teacher will let you know when this must be completed.

Completion requirements

During your study you’ll need to provide your teacher with the following evidence:

  • A Working with Children Check

  • Vaccination and health screenings

  • Any additional evidence your work placement provider requires

Entry recommendations

To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:

  • Have prior experience working in the dental industry

  • Have a keen interest in oral health care

  • Are motivated to offer an advanced level of assistance in a fast-paced environment

TAFE NSW is committed to meeting the learning needs of every community. Meeting these needs can mean there are additional entry requirements at different campus locations. Check your preferred location for further requirements. If you need help preparing for study, contact us to find out how we can support you.

Pathways Future career and study options

Career pathways

Our graduates go onto roles like:

Dental Assistant

Dental Assistants prepare patients for dental examination and assist Dental Practitioners, Hygienists and Therapists in providing care and treatment.

  • Full-time share Full-time workers usually work 35 hours or more a week (in all their jobs combined).

    47%

  • Employment size Employment size is the number of workers who do this as their main job.

    8,200 workers

  • Average age This is the average age of all workers in this job.

    35 years

  • Weekly pay Median earnings are shown for full-time, non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, before tax or any amounts that are salary sacrificed. These figures are a guide to earnings only and should not be used to determine a wage rate.

    $900

  • Average full-time The average full-time hours that people in this role work each week.

    40 hours

  • Skill level rating Skill level ratings are based on the range and complexity of job roles. In general, the higher the skill level, the more formal education and training, previous experience or on-the-job training needed to be good at the job.

    Lower

  • Gender share

    98% female

  • Future growth The Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business estimates the likely change in number of workers in this role, or industry, over the next 5 years. Future growth is the likely percentage change compared to all other job roles.

    Strong Growth

Other jobs include: dentist assistant, dental radiography assistant, oral health assistant and dental administration assistant.

Study pathways

Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:

Previous study 1 Course

Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.

Further study 1 Course

Advance your skills to take your career to the next level

Related study 0 Courses

Strengthen your expertise and gain specialist skills to expand your employability.

The Certificate IV in Dental Assisting does not have any related courses.

Your experience counts

At TAFE NSW, we recognise your previous study and work experience. You can apply for recognition of prior learning or a credit transfer with any of our courses. If you're successful you'll get your qualification faster.

Units Units taught in this course

Courses are made up of a combination of both core and specialty units. In the Certificate IV in Dental Assisting qualification, you’ll need to successfully complete 8 Units of competency, including 2 core and 6 speciality units.

Please note, not all specialty units are offered at every TAFE NSW location. It is highly recommended that you check with your preferred campus for information about the specialty units offered at that location.

Core units are central to the job outcomes of a particular industry or occupation. These are the units industry has agreed are essential to be capable and qualified at a particular study level.

  • Sterilise loads HLTSTE003

  • Maintain work health and safety HLTWHS003

TAFE NSW services Facilities and support

TAFE NSW provides support services across all campus locations and online. Whatever your needs or circumstances, we have the people, resources, counselling and facilities to support you in focusing on your studies.

  • TAFE NSW Disability Support Service

  • TAFE NSW Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) support

  • TAFE NSW Aboriginal Support; Learner support (ABE)

  • TAFE NSW Careers, Counselling and Pathways Service

  • TAFE NSW Libraries

  • Scholarship programs – be supported as you explore your talents and fulfil your potential

  • Read&Write literacy and study support software is available free for all TAFE NSW students to use while studying on campus and at home

  • LinkedIn Learning – an online resource which offers innovative courses and tutorials to improve your personal and professional skills

  • Student associations – get social with our student community

Study options Find a location to enrol

Choose from the below study options and locations to discover what works with your lifestyle. Heart your favourites and compare courses.