Certificate III in Dental Assisting

HLT35021

This page is updated when information changes, but it's always best to talk to your training provider to confirm course details before you enrol.

Overview

This qualification reflects the role 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.

The skills in this qualification must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.

To achieve this qualification, the candidate must have completed at least 350 hours of work as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of the Units of Competency.

No occupational licencing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.

  • Financial help

    • Government funding is available for this course. Check your eligibility for:

      • Career Start (general)
      • Career Start (traineeship)

      *To be eligible for this funding, you have to do a traineeship.

      Check your eligibility

  • Cost

    Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.

    • VET Student Loans are not available
    • You may need to pay for equipment or materials.

    To see how government funding could help to reduce the cost of your course, check your eligibility for funding.

  • On-the-job training

    • Completing this course through a traineeship can help you to learn the skills you need.

    This traineeship is available:

    • Dental Assistant

    This course has 350 mandatory work placement hours.

  • Entry requirements

    This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.

  • Duration

    You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.

    • Through traineeship:
      1 year
    • Qualification only:
      1–2 years

  • Delivery options

    You may be able to access this training in these ways:

    • Workplace-based
    • Some classroom learning
    • Part-time available
    • Partially online
    • Practical learning

Course content

This course is made up of units.

All courses have core units—these are mandatory for completing the course. Most courses also have elective units, which you can choose from to suit your needs and interests. Not all training providers offer every elective, so check with your provider to find out which electives they can offer you.

For more information about course content, talk to your training provider or visit the National Training Register.

Unit Unit type
Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control Core
Assist with administration in dental practice Core
Assist with dental radiography Core
Communicate and work in health or community services Core
Participate in workplace health and safety Core
Prepare for and assist with dental procedures Core
Process reusable medical devices and equipment Core
Work with diverse people Core
Assist the dental practitioner during medical emergencies in a dental setting Elective
Construct models Elective
Construct thermoformed bases and appliances Elective
Provide effective oral hygiene instruction to patients with an oral health treatment plan Elective
Provide First Aid Elective
Sterilise loads Elective
Take a clinical photograph Elective
Transport emergency patients Elective
Use business software applications Elective
Use medical terminology in health care Elective
Work effectively with others Elective
Work legally and ethically Elective

Job prospects

The Certificate III in Dental Assisting sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.

  • Dental Hygienist

    ANZSCO 411211

    Dental Hygienists carry out preventative dental procedures under the direction of a Dentist.

    Recommended education level:
    Bachelor degree or higher

  • Dental Therapist

    ANZSCO 411214

    Dental Therapists examine and treat diseases of the teeth in preschool, primary and secondary school children under the general supervision of a Dentist.

    Recommended education level:
    Bachelor degree or higher

  • Dental Assistant

    ANZSCO 423211

    Provide patient care within a dental practice and assist in the running of the practice.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate II or III

Training providers delivering Certificate III in Dental Assisting

It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.

This course has a mandatory work placement. Skills Assure Suppliers help you to arrange a work placement. This service may not be available through other training providers.

Showing: 16 providers

How to enrol in this course

To enrol, choose a training provider that offers this course. You can see provider details on this page.

When you find one that you think suits you, visit their website or contact them directly to confirm details like start dates, fees, funding, delivery locations and delivery options.

The provider will guide you through the enrolment process.

Delivery locations can change as students enrol. If you're doing any workplace-based training, like an apprenticeship, this will take place in a different location from your classroom training. Contact your training provider to confirm delivery locations.
Government funding may be available. Contact your training provider to confirm.
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