The Dental Hygiene Level IV course offered by TESDA focuses on advanced competencies in promoting oral health and delivering preventive care. This program equips professionals with the skills to perform oral examinations, provide prophylaxis treatments, and take clinical histories and radiographs. By emphasizing both technical expertise and patient interaction, it ensures comprehensive and effective dental hygiene services.
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In addition to clinical tasks, this level emphasizes patient education and efficient management of dental records and resources. Dental hygienists play a key role in empowering patients with the knowledge to maintain their oral health while ensuring quality care and seamless service delivery.
Benefits
TESDA Dental Hygiene Level IV offers several benefits, including:
- Gaining specialized skills in oral health promotion and preventive care.
- Learning to perform oral examinations, prophylaxis, and take clinical histories.
- Acquiring expertise in taking radiographs and educating patients about oral health.
- Developing proficiency in managing dental records and resources efficiently.
- Enhancing your ability to provide effective and professional patient services.
- Expanding career opportunities in the dental field with recognized certification.
Units of Competency
The Units of Competency in this qualification include:
BASIC COMPETENCIES
- Utilize specialized communication skills
- Develop and lead teams
- Perform higher-order thinking processes and apply techniques in the workplace
- Contribute to the practice of social justice in the workplace
- Manage innovative work instructions
- Manage and evaluate usage of information
- Lead in improvement of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) programs, policies, and procedures
- Lead towards improvement of environment work programs, policies, and procedures
- Sustain entrepreneurial skills
COMMON COMPETENCIES
- Maintain an effective relationship with customers and clients
- Manage own performance
- Maintain instruments and equipment in work area
- Follow occupational health and safety policies in dental laboratory facilities
- Maintain infection control in dental practice
- Apply basic first aid
- Operate a personal computer
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Perform oral examination
- Promote oral health and hygiene
- Operate dental radiographic equipment
- Apply the principle of radiology biology and protection in dental practice
- Perform scaling and polishing
- Maintain dental records and resources
- Provide effective patient/client service
Sample of Certificate of Completion
Job Opportunities
Occupational titles corresponding to this qualification may include:
- Dental Hygienist
- Dental Assistant
Note: National practice of this qualification requires a license from the Board of Dentistry – Professional Regulation Commission.
Training Duration
- 92 Hours: Basic Competencies
- 56 Hours: Common Competencies
- 3351 Hours: Core Competencies
- 1056 Hours: OJT
Total: 3499 Hours (Including 1056 Hours of OJT*)
Requirements
To enroll in this course, you will need the following documents:
- PSA Birth Certificate
- High School or College Diploma
- Certified True Copy of Official Transcript of Records or Form 137
- Certificate of Good Moral Character or GMRC
- 1 x 1 and/or 2 x 2 pictures
To obtain further details, please reach out to the enrollment site that aligns with your requirements. Kindly note that the criteria may vary.
Also read: TESDA Emergency Medical Services Courses
Qualifications
Trainees or students seeking to undergo training should meet the following qualifications:
- Completion of 12 years of basic education (Senior High School) or an Alternative Learning System (ALS) Certificate equivalent to grade 12
- Physical fitness
- Strong communication skills
Trainer Qualifications
- Candidates must have a National TVET Trainer Certificate Level I (NTTC Level I) in Dental Hygiene Level IV*
- Must be a licensed Dentist or Dental Hygienist
- Must demonstrate strong communication skills
- Must have completed at least 18 units in education
- Must be physically fit
Note: For NC IV trainers requiring a PRC license, the license can replace the National Certificate (TESDA Circular No.037 s.2018).
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the scope of the Dental Hygiene Level IV course?
A: The Dental Hygiene Level IV course covers advanced skills in oral care, patient education, dental record management, and resource management.
2. Can I enroll in this course if I have not completed grade 12?
A: No, Completion of 12 years of basic education or an ALS certificate equivalent to grade 12 is required for this course.
3. Do I need to be physically fit to take this course?
A: Yes, physical fitness is required as it may involve long hours of standing and performing tasks that require manual dexterity.
4. Is the course available online?
A: No, this course is only available through face-to-face training to ensure hands-on experience and practical application of skills.
5. Is this recognized internationally?
A: No, this qualification is only recognized within the Philippines and requires a license from the Board of Dentistry – Professional Regulation Commission to practice.
Summary
The TESDA Dental Hygiene Level IV course provides advanced training in oral health promotion, preventive care, and patient education. Participants will learn to conduct oral exams, perform prophylaxis, take clinical histories, and use dental radiographic equipment, with a focus on infection control and dental record management. The 3,499-hour program includes 1,056 hours of on-the-job training and prepares trainees for roles like Dental Hygienist or Dental Assistant, with certification recognized by the Board of Dentistry – Professional Regulation Commission. Applicants must meet educational and fitness requirements, and trainers must hold relevant licenses, ensuring a strong foundation for career growth in the dental field.