Dental

Some of the things you will be responsible for are preparing the surgery, assisting the dentist chairside, processing and sterilising all of the instruments and cleaning the surgery. You may also be asked to do some reception work and manage supplies. 

Job roles can vary depending on the practice. You will also be able to complete some basic on site laboratory work.

The Certificate III in Dental Assisting will take you 12 months to successfully complete, you will then be ready to work and highly employable..

The course is delivered at our brand new, modern dental centre at our Leederville campus on the corner of Richmond and Oxford Streets in Leederville.

The course is available for full time studies, or a work-based part time option.

The work-based part time option requires you to be working in a dental surgery for a minimum of 15 hours each week, or two full days, you will need to be employed before applying for the work-based delivery.

Job opportunities for dental assistants are currently very high, with the employment rate sitting at approximately 95%.

Although dental assisting is a very hands-on and practical job, you will be required to sit both theory and practical assessments for each unit.
Some of these need to be assessed during your work placement block in a dental surgery.

When you have gained enough experience in a simulated environment, you will be attending work placements that are arranged by North Metropolitan TAFE, these are held in a variety of both private practice and government facilities, you may be able to work on patients, but this will depend on student and patient circumstances.

Once you are qualified, you will have the experience and knowledge to start working straight away, and many of our students are employed by one of the clinics in which they completed their work placement. You will also meet and network with many key industry contacts to help you find employment.

Our lecturers have a wealth of experience across most aspects of dentistry. We regularly meet with industry and cater for innovative changes in the dental profession. In fact, several of our Lecturers are past students of our Dental Courses!

In order to attend a work placement in the government clinics you will be required to provide evidence of the following vaccinations:

• Hepatitis B (you will require a minimum of 2 out of 3 vaccinations before term 2)
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
• Varicella (Chicken Pox)
• Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTP record of vaccination within the last 10 years)
• COVID-19
• Screening for Tuberculosis using the Mantoux or HEAF or Quantiferon test.
• Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) if required

The associated costs for these vaccinations will vary depending on your doctor and what vaccinations are needed.

Serology to confirm immunisation should be provided within the first three weeks of your course.

To prevent delays in work placement it is recommended that you discuss your vaccination status with your GP as soon as possible.

Further information regarding the vaccinations will be given to you at orientation.

Please be aware that COVID-19 vaccination is an employment requirement for many healthcare providers. NMTAFE students undertaking work placements or who are required to attend a healthcare or community setting as part of their studies are advised to check directly with the healthcare provider regarding their policy settings around vaccination and proof of vaccination requirements.