Get qualified to work as an entry-level Dental Assistant with Open Colleges HLT35015 Certificate III in Dental Assisting.
The course is based around a fictional dental clinic which gives context to everything you learn. As you work your way through the course, you’ll be introduced to the clinic’s employees and clients and immersed in a range of scenarios that regularly arise in real work settings.
This course is superseded by HLT35021 – Certificate III in Dental Assisting. For now, you may still enrol in this course, and we will transition you to the new course at no additional cost once it is available. We’ll be in touch closer to our launch date to give you more information about what this means for you. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions, as our friendly Enrolment Consultants are always happy to help.
Your studies will train you to maintain and store instruments, equipment materials and medications, as well as how to communicate with dental professionals and patients within a health setting. You will also learn how to help with practice administrative duties like maintaining client records and organising appointments.
The HLT35015 Certificate III in Dental Assisting offers the best of both worlds: the flexibility of online learning, with a practical 300-hour work placement in a dental surgery of your choosing, so you can practice what you learn.
The HLT35015 Certificate III in Dental Assisting is a great stepping stone into further dental study.
Open Colleges has partnered with Integrated Care & Management Training to offer the HLT35015 Certificate III in Dental Assisting. What this means is that you not only get a high standard of education, but also a nationally recognised qualification that you can use across Australia.
This course is offered by Open Colleges on behalf of Integrated Care and Management Training.
If you are an existing worker or have experience in the related industry, please inform our enrolment consultants during your enrolment conversation. You may be eligible to enrol as an existing worker and complete your studies faster. Please note – limitations do apply.
You will need to have completed year 10, or equivalent. Equivalency can be demonstrated by one of the following:
You will need to be at least 16 years old. If you are under 18 your enrolment form will need to be signed by a parent or guardian.
This course involves reading and undertaking a range of written assessments, as well as engaging in online forums and discussions. Furthermore, the delivery mode relies on the extensive use of written communication. As such, entry to the course requires the successful completion of English to Year 10 level.
If you haven’t successfully completed English at Year 10 level, you can demonstrate equivalency through one of the following:
Open Colleges recognises that not all people are able to read, write and perform calculations to the same standard. See the Language, Literacy and Numeracy Considerations section for more information on tools, resources and support services provided to you by Open Colleges.
You will need access to a computer and the internet and have basic computing skills. Minimum specifications for your computer are:
All users:
Windows users:
Mac OS users:
To successfully complete this course, you will require basic computing skills. This includes:
You will need to provide a certified and current First Aid certificate from a Registered Training Organisation to demonstrate competency for HLTAID003 Provide First Aid at your own cost. You are required to complete your First Aid Certificate before commencing Module 4, as this will be required prior to you commencing work placement.
Our free online assessment tool can help give you an idea of the language, literacy and numeracy skills needed to study a VET course. This tool can also help you determine your learning level and help you plan your future studies. You can access the Language, Literacy and Numeracy tool here.
Once you are enrolled in this course, you will receive access to the first Module, which contains the first set of units for the course. When you have successfully completed those units, you’ll be given access to the next Module.
Open Colleges may make changes to the course from time to time to reflect changes introduced to the relevant Training Package or other regulatory requirements. Please download the course guide for current information about the course and its status.
Participate in workplace health and safety
Perform general cleaning tasks in a clinical setting
Process reusable medical devices and equipment
Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures
Prepare for and assist with oral health care procedures
Assist with dental radiography
Provide or assist with oral hygiene
Communicate and work in health or community services
Work with diverse people
Assist with administration in dental practice
You will need to provide a certified and current First Aid certificate from a Registered Training Organisation to demonstrate competency for HLTAID003 Provide First Aid at your own cost. You are required to complete your First Aid Certificate before commencing Module 4, as this will be required prior to you commencing work placement.
Provide first aid
Open Colleges does not offer this Unit of Competency. You will be required to undertake the Unit of Competency with an external provider at your own cost.
Pay in Full
You can choose to pay your course fees in full upon enrolment and benefit from a 10% discount (unless otherwise advertised).
Pay 50% & Payment Plan Combo
You can also choose to pay 50% of your total course fees upon enrolment and the balance on a Payment Plan. When you do, you’ll benefit from 50% of the standard Pay in Full discount (unless otherwise advertised).
Payment Plan
You can choose to pay for your course in weekly or fortnightly instalments. By paying in instalments, you can schedule your payments around your regular outgoings and get ahead without breaking the bank. Open Colleges payment plans are interest-free.
Zip Money Payment Plan
If you need a little more flexibility with your finances and would like to pay off your course fees over a longer period of time, we can assist by organising Zip Money to pay your course fees directly to us on your behalf, and you pay this loan back to Zip Money over an agreed period of time. Zip Money provides you flexible options of selecting a 24, 36 or 48 months interest-free, payment plan (dependant on which course you’re enrolling into) to suit your lifestyle, giving you more flexibility than ever before.
BPAY®
With BPAY®, you’re able to pay quickly and securely, 24/7 through your internet, mobile or phone banking service. You can choose when, how much and from which account to pay from – whatever works for you. BPAY® is only available when paying in full. Call an Enrolment Consultant to find out more.
BPAY® is a trademark of BPAY Pty Ltd ABN 69 079 137 518. Check if BPAY® is right for you by reading the terms and conditions available from your Financial Institution.
Dorina has almost 20 years experience as a dental assistant, working in busy private clinics in the Perth area. Professional but sympathetic approach when providing dental care to her patients, Dorina is passionate about educating everyone on the importance of oral hygiene. She is devoted to remaining up to date on the latest dental techniques to provide the highest level of patient care possible. Having such a solid background in dentistry she felt compelled to pursue the teaching career, sharing her extensive knowledge with her students. In the last 5 years, Dorina was training both face to face and online dental assistant courses for a couple of RTO-s around the country and feels excited to pass the baton to the next generation of future dental nurses.
Students will often undertake work placement in their current workplace or find a workplace through their friends, family or colleagues. If you experience difficulties finding a work placement, Open Colleges will provide you with advice, resources and support through our work placement support team.
There are a number of statutory checks that may be required by workplaces, such as a National Police Check, Wor
You will need to complete your placement in a general dental practice. Your workplace must be a registered business and be involved in the delivery of dental services.
Requirements include access to paid clients, as well access to equipment and resources used in the delivery of general and specialised dentistry services.
Work placement for this qualification will be completed in two sections to allow you to observe and practice your skills via simulation before you begin the practical component.
Pre-Structured Work Placement duration:
50 hours of simulation minimum
Structured Work Placement duration:
250 hours of practical experience minimum
All costs of work placement including any placement fees charged by the host organisation (whether to the student or OC), cost of statutory checks and vaccinations, travel, accommodation, and uniforms are the responsibility of the student.
Each individual host organisation may have different requirements regarding vaccinations. Please discuss these with your Work Placement provider before beginning your placement. Please note – there are mandatory vaccination requirements within each state, and it is up to the student to ensure they are complying with their own state, territory legislation, and workplace organisation policies and procedures.