Oral Health Practitioner

The oral health practitioner was approved for delivery on 07/03/2019. This Higher apprenticeship standard awards you with a level 4, qualification when completed. The usual duration of this apprenticeship is 14 months, but this does not include the End-Point Assessment Period.

Oral health practitioners work in dental practices with a high degree of autonomy. The role sits on a higher level than a dental nurse, but below a hygienist, dental hygienist, dental therapist or dentist. As an apprentice, you will be responsible for performing a range of oral health preventative procedures which involve working in the patient’s mouth.

Following the guidance of the dentist, you will learn how to take bacterial plaque indices and debris scores, apply fluoride varnish, take clinical photographs, take impressions and carry out tooth brushing. You will understand how to prepare and maintain the clinical environment, carry out infection control and prevention procedures, as well as mixing and preparing bio-materials.

Another significant element to this role is the delivery of oral health education within communities, at times with focused advice for a target group such as attending an antenatal class or teaching carers to protect the oral health of their vulnerable patients. You could work in early years centres, primary schools, secondary schools, care homes, in adolescent mental health centres, in dental practices or other health and community settings.

To become an oral health practitioner, you must already be a dental nurse or another appropriate dental care professional.

• Oral Health Practitioner
• Community Oral Health Educator
• Oral Health Champion
• Oral Health Ambassador
• Oral Health Improvement Lead

If you would like to find out more about the oral health practitioner apprenticeship standard, skills, learnt, assessment methods and duties of the role, visit the Institute for Apprenticeships.