Empowering Dental Nurses to lead in oral health and wellbeing
Tempdent are delighted to introduce the Oral Health Practitioner Level 4 Apprenticeship—an innovative training course designed to shape the future of oral health care professionals. This Apprenticeship offers dental professionals the opportunity to expand their skills and take on a role to promote the oral and overall health of individuals and communities. Whether you're a registered Dental Nurse or another dental care professional, this course opens new doors to a rewarding, autonomous career that impacts patient health far beyond the dental chair.
What is the Oral Health Practitioner Apprenticeship?
Tempdent’s Level 4 Oral Health Practitioner Apprenticeship equips learners with the knowledge and expertise to perform a variety of preventative oral health procedures and deliver general health screening and education. The apprenticeship bridges the gap between Dental Nurses, Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists, giving professionals a crucial role in both clinical and community settings.
Mastering the skills to drive health change
By completing the Apprenticeship, you'll gain a deep understanding of oral health improvement principles and behaviour change techniques, enabling you to promote healthier habits in your patients. Learners will develop skills in key areas such as:
- Supporting behaviour change to improve individual health
- Conducting NHS Health Checks to assess risks for cardiovascular disease and diabetes
- Adhering to professional, ethical, and legal requirements for Oral Health Practitioners
- Understanding health inequalities and how to tailor care to diverse populations
- Performing motivational consultations to encourage proactive health management
- Mastering the essentials of anatomy, physiology, and nutrition relevant to oral health
- Practicing preventative oral care, including plaque management and fluoride application
Benefits for Apprentices
The Oral Health Practitioner Apprenticeship offers a career progression pathway for those interested in advancing to roles such as Dental Hygienists or Dental Therapists. Additionally, the qualification provides you with:
- Increased autonomy in your clinical role, including performing oral health procedures such as taking bacterial plaque indices, applying fluoride varnish, and taking impressions.
- Community health experience, allowing you to contribute to public health initiatives like NHS Health Checks, which assess risks for chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
- Opportunities to work beyond the dental practice, engaging with diverse groups in schools, care homes, hospitals, and more.
Benefits for employers
For employers, the Oral Health Practitioner Apprenticeship is an invaluable investment in the talent within your dental practice. By training your existing GDC-qualified Dental Nurses, you can retain their expertise, whilst delivering job satisfaction and progression. The role offers several advantages for your practice, including:
- Increased efficiency: Your Oral Health Practitioner can perform a variety of routine oral hygiene procedures, freeing up Dentists, Denta Hygienists, and Dental Therapists for other cases.
- Flexible commissioning: You can use this approach to fund Oral Health Practitioners in your practice or community settings, broadening your practice reach and impact.
- Return on investment: Your new Oral Health Practitioner can work in schools, care homes, and local health centers, referring patients back to your practice as needed.
A key player in community health
What does the role of Oral Health Practitioner look like? A relatively new role in dentistry, Oral Health Practitioners engage directly with patients, performing preventive care and delivering vital health education.
Additionally, this role will have a direct impact on tackling the rising rates of tooth decay in children across the UK.
An Oral Health Practitioner’s key responsibilities include:
- Direct patient care: Performing oral health procedures and offering education on topics such as hygiene, diet, and overall wellness.
- Health education and outreach: Engaging with diverse groups throughout the community, ensuring they understand the importance of oral health.
- Systemic health checks: Conducting NHS Health Checks to assess risks for chronic conditions, such as heart disease.
- Community engagement: Working in a variety of environments, from dental practices to care homes, making a positive impact on community health.
Take the next step and transform your career with the new Oral Health Practitioner Apprenticeship!
Ready to take the next step in your career? Enrol in the Level 4 Oral Health Practitioner Apprenticeship and become a key figure in the future of dental and community health care!
Full Apprenticeship details – view the brochure
Apprenticeship start dates – January, April, July and October.
Ready to enrol? Complete this form.
Our team are on hand to answer any questions about this course, or any of our other dental Apprenticeships. Feel free to contact us on 020 8371 6700 or email info@tempdent.co.uk
