In a nutshell
Become a fully qualified professional Dental Assistant, or upskill to move onto the next stage of your dental practice career, with the nationally recognised HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting and HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting from Foundation Education.
This course is designed to give you all the skills you need to succeed in any assistant role within dental practices, and will teach you crucial skills such as how to assist with administration of a dental practice, how to prepare for and assist with dental procedures, how to assist with dental radiography, how to process reusable medical devices and equipment and how to comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures.
On completion of the course, you will be fully qualified to work across multiple dental assisting roles in any dental practice in Australia.
What you’ll need
Students must complete HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting before commencing HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting.
Education
Whilst there are no formal entry requirements mandated by the training package, students’ skills and capabilities to undertake this training product will be assessed and advice on suitability will be provided during the pre-enrolment process.
Minimum Age
Students under the age of 18 years require the signed consent of a parent or guardian to enrol in this qualification.
Work Placement Requirements
For mandatory work placement (350 hours, including an initial 50 hours completed in simulation), students must have access to a dental practice and a qualified supervisor i.e. a person who holds Certificate III in Dental Assisting or higher relevant qualification. Students may need to undertake a Working with Children check to meet individual work placement employer requirements.
To complete HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting students will need further access to a dental practice with relevant equipment, imaging equipment, patients, and staff to complete practical activities. During these placement activities students must have access to a suitably qualified supervisor i.e. a person who hold a Certificate IV in Dental Assisting or higher relevant qualification.
Residency Status
You will need to be a permanent Australian resident or equivalent.
Subject summary
When completing this HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting and HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting, you may study the following subjects:
CHCCOM005 - Communicate and work in health or community services
CHCDIV001 - Work with diverse people
HLTDEN015 - Prepare for and assist with dental procedures
HLTDEN016 - Assist with dental radiography
HLTDEN017 - Assist with administration in dental practice
HLTINF001 - Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures
HLTINF002 - Process reusable medical devices and equipment
HLTWHS001 - Participate in workplace health and safety
HLTAID011* - Provide first aid
HLTDET001 - Construct models
HLTSTE003 - Sterilise loads
HLTWHS003 - Maintain work health and safety
BSBMED301 - Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately
HLTDEN0027 - Take a clinical photograph
HLTSTE004 - Manage sterile stock
* Please note that unit HLTAID011 – Provide first aid must be completed through an external provider.
Why Foundation Education?

Foundation Education is one of the few Registered Training Organisations (RTO) in Australia who endeavour to deliver flexible online training solutions designed to fit our students’ lifestyle. Since 1999, we’ve been focused on providing excellence in Vocational Education and Training and building partnership networks that drive the quality of graduates across each industry, with our partner RTO, the Australian Institute of Personal Trainers (AIPT). With more than 30 nationally recognised certificate and diploma level courses on offer, the Foundation Education difference means:
- Flexible Online Study – Courses that don’t require a practical placement are delivered 100% online so you can study whenever and wherever suits you. This also gives you the flexibility to choose your course length – whether that be the full term of your course or completing your study in as little as six months.
- Dedicated Student Support – Our industry experienced Subject Advisors, Assessors and Support Officers will support you from enrolment through to graduation. You can use them as often or as little as you like either via email or the telephone.
- Industry Relevant Courses – Course material is developed in consultation with industry experts to equip you with the job-ready skills and up-to-date knowledge required to support your career goals.
Foundation Education RTO# 22557
Foundation Education provides a dedicated student support team throughout your studies. Whether it is access to experienced Subject Advisors, Assessors or general Support Officers, we will support you from enrolment right through to graduation. You can use our team as often or as little as you like either via email or the telephone at no extra cost.