Core requirement

Students must be able to manage their own responses and behaviour to work effectively in a range of learning environments with diverse people and tasks. This includes the capacity to be receptive and respond appropriately to constructive feedback. Students should also be able to work with others in a team or group environment and make and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of individuals in order to complete tasks or for professional practice.

See also Student behaviours policy for more information.

Course-specific requirement

Behavioural stability is required to work individually and in teams in a program of study in oral health therapy. Students must demonstrate behavioural stability to work objectively and professionally in diverse and changing academic and clinical settings.

Students must be able to:

• Be receptive and respond appropriately to constructive feedback.
• Manage own emotions and behaviour effectively when dealing with diverse individuals in a variety of (non-) clinical setting.
• Communicate effectively with patients, staff and other clinicians in a work and study environment.
• Be able to manage personal responses, beliefs or preferences in order to develop effective patient relationships.
• Comply with the requirement for student registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
• Comply with relevant child protection and safety legislation.

Oral health therapy is a profession governed by the Dental Board of Australia. Students must be able to demonstrate their ability to meet the registration standards from the dental board (registration standards) and their ability to meet the professional competencies of the new qualified oral health therapist.

Student demonstrates knowledge of, and understanding of the requirements of ethical behaviour in practice, as described in the different policies, codes and guidelines from the Dental Board of Australia and the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency.

Core requirement

Students must be able to locate, acquire, retain and apply knowledge as part of their learning and for assessment. They must have the ability to sustain their attention over a designated period, maintain their focus in a variety of learning environments and remember information long enough to complete tasks in a reasonable and safe timeframe.

Course-specific requirement

Students must be able to:

• Apply acquired knowledge of policy and procedures in the clinical setting.
• Demonstrate the ability to focus on information provided by a patient in order to determine and apply appropriate and safe care in a timely fashion.

Demonstrate the ability to accurately record clinical findings and other observations in relevant clinical notes.

Core requirement

Students should possess the ability to interact with visual, auditory or tactile inputs sufficiently to manage their learning environment and to meet professional performance needs.

Course-specific requirement

Students must be able to:

• Observe using multiple inputs (senses) patient symptoms and behaviours, including non-verbal communication, in order to provide effective patient care and safety.
• Use sufficient visual acuity to demonstrate the required range of skills, through the performance of relevant tasks and assessments whilst maintaining consistent, accurate and safe care to self and others.
• Observe and detect subtle change in teeth and gums.
• Perform tactile assessments and observations fundamental to safe and effective oral health and dental practice.

Core requirement

Gross motor skills: Students should possess the strength, range of motion, coordination and mobility sufficient to manage their learning environment and ultimately, professional performance needs.

Fine motor skills: Students should possess the manual dexterity and fine motor skills sufficient to manage their learning environment and ultimately, professional performance needs.

Course-specific requirement

Students must be able to:

• Gross motor skills are needed to maintain own and patient's balance while safely supporting clients with specific special needs into the dental chair.
• Safely retrieve and utilise stock and equipment in practice or during oral health promotion events.

• Safely and effectively use equipment and tools to perform dental procedures as they progress through their course and in professional contexts. For example, administering local anaesthetics via injection.
• Demonstrate sufficient fine motor skills to perform, coordinate and prioritise. This includes being able to grasp, press, push, turn, squeeze and manipulate equipment and/or individuals to safely perform tasks.

Provide consistent clinical and non-clinical care within a set reasonable and safe time frame, that can vary, in clinical or non-clinical settings