HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting
AADA College is a specialist in delivering QUALITY training for the dental industry. We offer a flexible and professional approach to training with REAL results!
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AADA College is a specialist in delivering QUALITY training for the dental industry. We offer a flexible and professional approach to training with REAL results!
View in Detail →
This nationally recognised qualification builds on your existing skills and knowledge and teaches you how to take dental x-rays and produce specific images according to the instructions of the Dentist.
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This qualification reflects the role of a variety of workers who use a range of factual, technical, and procedural knowledge to provide assistance to health professional staff for the care of clients.
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This qualification reflects the role of individuals in a variety of Business Services job roles. It is likely that these individuals are establishing their own work performance.
View in Detail →This nationally recognised qualification builds on your existing skills and knowledge and teaches you how to take dental x-rays and produce specific images according to the instructions of the Dentist.
This nationally recognised qualification builds on your existing skills and knowledge and teaches you how to take dental x-rays and produce specific images according to the instructions of the Dentist. This qualification reflects the role of workers who provide an advanced level of assistance to dental practitioners which contributes to the quality of oral health care.
The course covers: principles of radiation biology and how they apply to dentistry, exposing radiographic images, sterilising tools and equipment, on-the-job safety, using correct medical terminology, assisting with advanced dental procedures requiring anaesthesia and conscious sedation, business administration skills.
Dental radiography work must only be performed by a person with a radiation user license granted by the relevant State/Territory regulatory authority under legislation.
Entry requirements apply. Please refer to the Course Eligibility below.
Course Name: Certificate IV in Dental Assisting HLT45021
Outcome: Students who successfully complete this course will be issued with a nationally recognised qualification
This nationally recognised qualification builds on your existing skills and knowledge and teaches you how to take dental x-rays and produce specific images according to the instructions of the Dentist.
This course covers: principles of radiation biology and how they apply to dentistry, exposing radiographic images, sterilising tools and equipment, on-the-job safety and taking impressions for models.
COURSE INFORMATION AND DELIVERY
This qualification will take 12 – 24 months to complete.
HLT45021 CERTIFICATE IV in DENTAL ASSISTING Core and Elective Components – Full Qualification
CORE UNITS
| Unit Code | Name |
|---|---|
| HLTSTE003 | Sterilise loads |
| HLTWHS003 | Maintain work health and safety |
COMPULSORY UNITS FOR RADIOGRAPHY
| Unit Code | Name |
|---|---|
| HLTDEN021 | Apply the principles of radiation biology and protection in dental practice |
| HLTDEN022 | Prepare to expose a prescribed dental radiographic image |
| HLTDEN023 | Produce a prescribed dental radiographic image |
ELECTIVE UNITS – Choose 3 of the following
| Unit Code | Name |
|---|---|
| HLTDEN026 | Take an impression for study models |
| HLTDEN027 | Take a clinical photograph |
| HLTSTE004 | Manage sterile stock |
| HLTAID011 | Provide first aid |
Within the Radiography units you must complete all theory components and obtain a student use licence for radiographic intra-oral and extra-oral equipment.
No practical components can be attempted prior to obtaining this licence.
During the practical assessments you are required to complete a total of 30 images, 20 intra-oral and 10 extra-oral. Access to both types of radiographic machines is required. All practical demonstrations must be supervised by a licenced Dentist or Dental Practitioner.
HLTDEN026: Take an impression for study models
HLTAID011: Provide first aid
Australian Academy of Dental Assisting (AADA College) conducts training in a blended delivery method.
AADA College conducts training and assessment via online education and demonstrated tasks in the workplace; the workplace observations and assessments will be negotiated in conjunction with the student and the workplace at agreed intervals. Third party evidence must be submitted in the form of the Evidence Portfolio and Workplace Log Book and Learning activities must also be submitted as completed.
Upon enrolment, the student is issued with a login and password will be emailed for access to the online electronic resources and assessments.
If paper resources are required please email [email protected]
Our learning resources meet the standard of the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) and are drafted from the endorsed resources of the Health Training Package, which are listed on the following website http://www.training.gov.au that being the National Register, for the National Training System.
When training and assessment occurs for the three radiography units the following delivery sequence will occur.
HLTDEN021 – Apply the principles of radiation biology and protection in dental practice
HLTDEN022 – Prepare to expose a prescribed dental radiographic image
HLTDEN023 – Produce a prescribed dental radiographic image
Enrolling students should currently be employed in a dental practice with (or have access to) both intra-oral and extra-oral dental radiography equipment under the guidance and supervision of a licensed dental practitioner.
Students must have previously completed any of the following certificate III qualifications:
HLT45021 – CERTIFICATE IV in DENTAL ASSISTING (DENTAL RADIOGRAPHY) = $2650
Each State or Territory charge a Fee to issue a Radiation Use Licence. This Cost is payable by the STUDENT and is not covered in the price listed above.
An invoice will be created for the first 3 units of competency ($600.00) when your enrolment is accepted. Two additional invoices totalling $1025.00 each will be generated at 8 weeks and 12 weeks after enrolment for the balance.
Refund Policy
View Fees and Refund Policy Details or refer to: AADA College Participant Handbook
Once your invoice has been issued, you can arrange payment via direct deposit to our bank account or arrange payment over the phone using your credit card (surcharge will apply)
*Payment plans available
Enrolling students should be employed in a practice with (or have access to) both intra-oral and extra-oral dental radiography equipment under the guidance and supervision of a licensed dental practitioner.
In addition to assessments and completion of workplace logbooks students completing the radiography electives will be required to complete a log of images taken in the workplace using both intra-oral and extra-oral apparatus.
Students who successfully complete all requirements will receive a Nationally Recognised Qualification – HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Dental Radiography)

The units in the Dental Radiography skill set are relating to a licence to use radiation. This information relates to licensing requirements in Queensland. If you are working in another state, please go to their licensing body for information or submit an enquiry.
Application for Student User Licence – An application must be submitted at the students cost to obtain a licence to be a student user. The approval letter must be provided to AADA College before your Practical Log Book and Assessments are released for you to commence. AADA College will provide a letter of support to you for your application.
Once you have been deemed competent in HLTDEN021, HLTDEN022 and HLTDEN023, you MUST continue to be supervised when taking x-rays in a Dental Practice until you have completed the full qualification and obtain a full user licence.
Applying for a full User Licence
When you have completed your full qualification in HLT45021 – Certificate IV in Dental Assisting and received your certificate, you can apply for a full User Licence.
PLEASE NOTE
All fees associated with an application for user licence are to be paid by the Student. AADA College accepts no liability for the cost of applying for a user licence. Further information on licensing can be located at the following State Governing Bodies.
State Radiation Authority QLD https://www.health.qld.gov.au/system-governance/licences/radiation-licensing
NT https://nt.gov.au/industry/licences/radiation-licences-for-medical-and-dental-practitioners/dental-practitioners
NSW http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/radiation/index.htm
VIC http://www.health.vic.gov.au/radiation
ACT http://www.health.act.gov.au/public-information/businesses/radiation-safety
SA https://www.epa.sa.gov.au/environmental_info/radiation
TAS http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/publichealth/radiation
WA A Radiation Use Licence is not required. Dental ancillary personnel who have satisfactorily completed an approved course of training are permitted to operate intraoral, OPG or lateral cephalometric x-ray equipment under the direction and supervision of a registered dentist. http://www.radiologicalcouncil.wa.gov.au
An AADA College representative will contact you within 3 business days to discuss the course and enrolment details. A Pre-Enrolment Assessment will be conducted prior to the acceptance of all enrolments.
This qualification provides advanced dental assisting skills, including dental radiography, assisting with anaesthesia and conscious sedation, sterilisation practices, workplace safety, medical terminology, and basic business administration.
Yes. Dental radiography can only be performed by a person holding a valid radiation user licence issued by the relevant State or Territory regulatory authority.
Entry requirements apply for this course. Students should refer to the Course Eligibility section for details, which may include previous qualifications or work experience in dental assisting.
The course duration varies depending on study mode and pace. It is delivered using a blend of online learning and workplace-based practical training to ensure competency in real-world dental settings.
Students who successfully complete the course will receive a nationally recognised Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (HLT45021), equipping them with advanced skills to work confidently in dental practices and pursue roles requiring higher-level dental assisting expertise.
Speak with our team to learn more about course options, funding availability, and how to begin your enrolment.
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