HLT35021 - Certificate III in Dental Assisting

Version Effective: 4th of April, 2022

Course Details

Course Summary

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.

Requirements - To Be Eligible

For your application to be considered, you must meet the following entry requirements.

Entry Requirements

There are no current Training Package entry requirements into this qualification, however students should note the following important information:

  • Students are required to complete the Basic Key Skills Builder (BKSB) online literacy and numeracy assessment prior to enrolment unless they have completed an equal or higher-level course.
  • Work placement requirements: Vocational placement is an important and vital factor in successfully completing this qualification. You must be an existing worker or a volunteer in a dental practice in order to satisfy the assessment requirements for each of the units of competency within this qualification. You are required to be working or volunteering in a dental facility for a minimum of 12 hours per week in order to gain the skills and knowledge as outlined in each of the units of competency.

Under HLTDEN015 - Prepare for and assist with dental procedures, you are required to perform 350 hours of dental assisting work and have this recorded in your student logbook.

  • At least 300 hours in a real dental clinic workplace.
  • Up to 50 hours in a simulated dental clinic workplace environment.
  • With adherence to Infection Control Guidelines and in line with the current edition of The Australian Immunisation Handbook, it is a requirement that all students have surface immunity to Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). Evidence must be provided in the form of a Vaccination Record with reported date of the 3 doses or age-appropriate doses and a serology result indicating blood titre level result with an antibody level of 10IU/L or greater. We recommend contacting your GP to arrange a referral for a blood test/screening.
  • COVID Guidelines: Workers in a healthcare setting (COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements)

PART 1 - COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR WORKERS IN HEALTHCARE

A worker in healthcare, other than a residential aged care worker at a residential aged care facility, must not enter, work in, or provide services in a healthcare setting unless the worker in healthcare complies with the COVID-19 vaccination requirements. Note: the COVID-19 vaccination requirements for workers in healthcare who are residential aged care workers at residential aged care facilities are set out in Part 1A.

1. The COVID-19 vaccination requirements are that:

  1. a worker in healthcare must be fully vaccinated; and
  2. the worker in healthcare must:
    i. for a sole trader - provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination to any healthcare settings in which they work; or
    ii. for an employee who is not a sole trader - provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination to their employer; or
    iii. for an employer that provides staff or services to a healthcare setting - keep a record of the COVID-19 vaccination status of each employee who is a worker in a healthcare setting and confirm that employees are fully vaccinated, to the responsible person for each healthcare setting employees work in, if requested by the responsible person, provide evidence to support the undertaking.

Note: an employer is not required to keep a copy of an employee's evidence of vaccination or medical contraindication. The employer must record the employee's compliance with the vaccination requirements. Assurance should be provided to the healthcare setting, advising all employees provided to the healthcare setting meet the COVD-19 vaccination requirements.

Vocational Placement and Work Integrated Learning

Students must complete a Vocational Placement and/or Work Integrated Learning as part of this qualification.

Additional information

Vocational placement is an important and vital factor in successfully completing this qualification. You must be an existing worker or a volunteer in a dental practice in order to satisfy the assessment requirements for each of the units of competency within this qualification. You are required to be working or volunteering in a dental facility for a minimum of 12 hours per week in order to gain the skills and knowledge as outlined in each of the units of competency.

Under HLTDEN015 - Prepare for and assist with dental procedures, you are required to perform 350 hours of dental assisting work and have this recorded in your student logbook.

  • at least 300 hours in a real dental clinic workplace
  • up to 50 hours in a simulated dental clinic workplace environment.
  • With adherence to infection control guidelines and in line with the current edition of The Australian Immunisation Handbook, it is a requirement that all students have surface immunity to Hepatitis B Virus (HBV).
  • Evidence must be provided in the form of a Vaccination Record with reported date of the 3 doses or age appropriate doses and a serology result indicating blood titre level result with an antibody level of 10IU/L or greater. We recommend contacting your GP to arrange a referral for a blood test/screening.

Course Details

Course Type Qualification
Student Availability
  • Domestic
Fees
Full Fee $5,770.00 (2026)
Subsidised Full Fee $1,850.00 (2026)
Subsidised Concession Fee $1,010.00 (2026)
Fee for service per unit $577.00 (2026)
Subsidised full fee per unit $185.00 (2026)
RPL Fee for service per Unit $433.00 (2026)
For detailed information on Course Fees, visit www.cqu.edu.au/fees
Application Mode
  • Direct To University
How to Apply Please Enquire or Apply Now
Study Area
  • Health
Skill Area
  • Health
AQF Level Level 3: Certificate III

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes
Not Applicable
International Students
CRICOS Codes
Not Applicable

Student Outcomes, Career Opportunities and Occupations

Students completing HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting can enter the workforce in the role of Dental Assistant.

Course Structures
Standard Course Structure

1 year

  • Mixed Mode
Core
HLTINF001 Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures More Information Training.gov Details
HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health and safety More Information Training.gov Details
HLTDEN015 Prepare for and assist with dental procedures More Information Training.gov Details
HLTINF002 Process reusable medical devices and equipment More Information Training.gov Details
HLTDEN016 Assist with dental radiography More Information Training.gov Details
HLTDEN017 Assist with administration in dental practice More Information Training.gov Details
CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people More Information Training.gov Details
CHCCOM005 Communicate and work in health or community services More Information Training.gov Details
Elective
CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically More Information Training.gov Details
HLTAID011 Provide First Aid More Information Training.gov Details

Unit Sequence

Sequence Unit
1 HLTINF001 - Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures
1 HLTWHS001 - Participate in workplace health and safety
2 HLTDEN015 - Prepare for and assist with dental procedures
2 HLTINF002 - Process reusable medical devices and equipment
3 HLTDEN016 - Assist with dental radiography
3 CHCLEG001 - Work legally and ethically
4 HLTDEN017 - Assist with administration in dental practice
4 HLTAID011 - Provide First Aid
5 CHCDIV001 - Work with diverse people
5 CHCCOM005 - Communicate and work in health or community services


Course Assessment Information

Assessment Types
Written/Electronic Assessment
RPL
Practical Task
Third Party Verification
Course Learning Outcomes
Where and when can I start?

Domestic 2022 Availabilities

Standard Course Structure
Mixed Mode
Mixed Mode includes a combination of online learning activities and compulsory site-specific attendance at residential schools and/or workshops.
May: Full Time/Part Time
June: Full Time/Part Time
July: Full Time/Part Time
August: Full Time/Part Time
September: Full Time/Part Time
October: Full Time/Part Time
November: Full Time/Part Time

Domestic 2023 Availabilities

Standard Course Structure
Mixed Mode
Mixed Mode includes a combination of online learning activities and compulsory site-specific attendance at residential schools and/or workshops.
February: Full Time/Part Time
March: Full Time/Part Time
April: Full Time/Part Time
May: Full Time/Part Time
June: Full Time/Part Time
July: Full Time/Part Time
August: Full Time/Part Time
September: Full Time/Part Time
October: Full Time/Part Time
November: Full Time/Part Time

Domestic 2024 Availabilities

Standard Course Structure
Mixed Mode
Mixed Mode includes a combination of online learning activities and compulsory site-specific attendance at residential schools and/or workshops.
February: Full Time/Part Time
March: Full Time/Part Time
April: Full Time/Part Time
May: Full Time/Part Time
June: Full Time/Part Time
July: Full Time/Part Time
August: Full Time/Part Time
September: Full Time/Part Time
October: Full Time/Part Time
November: Full Time/Part Time
Online
July: Full Time/Part Time
August: Full Time/Part Time
September: Full Time/Part Time
October: Full Time/Part Time
November: Full Time/Part Time

Domestic 2025 Availabilities

Standard Course Structure
Online
February: Full Time/Part Time
March: Full Time/Part Time
April: Full Time/Part Time
May: Full Time/Part Time
June: Full Time/Part Time
July: Full Time/Part Time
August: Full Time/Part Time
September: Full Time/Part Time
October: Full Time/Part Time
November: Full Time/Part Time

Domestic 2026 Availabilities

Standard Course Structure
Online
February: Full Time/Part Time
March: Full Time/Part Time
April: Full Time/Part Time
May: Full Time/Part Time
June: Full Time/Part Time
July: Full Time/Part Time
August: Full Time/Part Time
September: Full Time/Part Time
October: Full Time/Part Time
November: Full Time/Part Time
More Details