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QUALIFICATION

Certificate IV in Dental Assisting


 National Code: HLT45021
 TAFE SA Code: TP01275


2025 start

Description

Develop advanced skills and knowledge in dental assisting to provide a high level of support to patients and dentists during clinical treatment. You will also learn how to take x-rays, provide oral health education programs and implement and monitor infection control policy and procedures.

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Duration
Example Career Profile
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12 months 

Part Time

Dental Workers/ Dental Assistants
Dental Workers/ Dental Assistants
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Locations & Applications

Existing Worker Applications

Campus / Location
Code
Study Mode
Study Load
Scheduled
Gilles Plains

740309

Workplace Workplace – if you are currently employed in the industry but do not have a formal qualification TAFE SA can recognise the skills you already have. The duration of the course will be determined by your individual study plan.
Part Time Part Time
Day Only
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On campus/location

On Campus/Location

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.
Online

Online

Online – learn at your own pace, in your own space. Lecturer support will be provided via email and interaction with fellow students may be available via forums and chat groups. Online courses require access to a computer with an internet connection.
Blended

Blended

Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Virtual Classroom

Virtual Classroom

Virtual Classroom – online classes are delivered by Collaborate. Collaborate is a web-based online classroom collaboration tool that acts as a real-time virtual classroom.
Workplace

Workplace

Workplace – if you are currently employed in the industry but do not have a formal qualification TAFE SA can recognise the skills you already have. The duration of the course will be determined by your individual study plan.
Full Time

Full Time

Full Time classes
Part Time

Part Time

Part Time classes
Day Classes

Day Classes

Day time classes
Evening Classes

Evening Classes

Evening time classes
International

International

A course available to International students

Course Admission Requirements

  • Certificate III in Dental Assisting and
  • You must be currently working as a Dental Assistant

Please Read Before Applying

Entry Recommendations
You will need to be proficient in speaking, reading and writing English. Before an offer is made, you will be contacted by TAFE SA to confirm that you are currently employed in a dental clinic.

Attendance Requirements (subject to change)
Up to one evening online class a week. Scheduled practical skills workshops in the TAFE SA Dental clinic, workshops can be on weekends or week nights dependent on availability.

Industry Conditions and Skills
Skills and attributes that will help you include excellent communication skills, you enjoy interacting with people and responsibility, are organised, skilled at multitasking and an efficient time manager; you are able to understand and follow directions, are meticulous, pay attention to detail and have good manual dexterity.

Vocational Placements
Your work skills will develop under the guidance of your workplace mentor. If you are unable to complete assessment requirements in your employer's clinic, you may need to complete a vocational placement.

Mandatory Requirements
Many health care facilities including SA Health, residential aged care, and dental clinics require students and other health care workers to provide a National Police check and evidence of immune status. If you do not comply with any of these requirements, you may not be able to take your vocational placement and complete this course.

Fees

Average cost per semester
Total Fees for the 12 month course
Subsidised
$1,595
$3,190
Concession
$1,160
$2,320
You may be eligible for government subsidised training.
Subsidised Training Eligibility
Subsidised training may require applicants to complete a Core Skills Profile Assessment (CSPA).
What is the CSPA?
Full Fee
$5,046
$10,092

Fees vary depending on subjects you enrol into. TAFE SA and their agents reserve the right to make any changes necessary. Fee updates will be available prior to offers being made.

  • Help with Fees

    Upfront Payment

    Each semester, fees can be paid online with VISA or Mastercard or at an Australia Post outlet.

    Read More

    Payment Plan

    If you have difficulty paying your fees upfront, you may be eligible for a payment plan.

    Read More

  • Employment Outcomes & Skills Covered

    Employment Outcomes

    Dental Assistant.

    Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.

    Qualifications & Skills Covered

    Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (HLT45021)
    This qualification provides the knowledge and skills necessary to provide an advanced level of chairside assistance to the operator, including contributing to the quality of dental care provided through well developed communication skills, providing an oral health education program that promotes good oral health as part of general good health, as well as implementing and monitoring infection control policy and procedures. To complete the qualification you are required to complete all 2 core units and 6 elective units.

    Note: Students who successfully complete only one or more units of competency but not the full qualification are eligible to receive a Statement of Attainment.

    90%*
    of TAFE SA graduates are satisfied with the overall quality of training.
    87%*
    of TAFE SA graduates would recommend their training.



    * 2023 NCVER Student Outcomes Survey findings

  • Course Units

    Below is a list of all units that TAFE SA can offer in this qualification. The selection of elective units you will be enrolled into depends on the campus you attend, and the qualification packaging rules described on www.training.gov.au.

    Not all elective units listed below must necessarily be completed to achieve your qualification.

    Core

    Name Nominal Hours
    Maintain work health and safety 40
    Sterilise loads 40

    Elective

    Name Nominal Hours
    Apply the principles of radiation biology and protection in dental practice 120
    Construct models 40
    Prepare to expose a prescribed dental radiographic image 90
    Produce a prescribed dental radiographic image 130
    Provide effective oral hygiene instruction to patients with an oral health treatment plan 70
    Provide First Aid 18
    Take a clinical photograph 50

Further Information

Brochure

Course guide

Brochure

Pre-enrolment Brochure

Contact us

Course enquiries and more information

Certificate IV in Dental Assisting
TP01275
︿
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