Apprentice Oral Health Practitioner

Job summary

Are you a dental nurse looking for a new challenge, career progression and to be at the forefront of educating the wider workforce on the importance of oral health? Do you want to progress your career and develop advanced skills in recording plaque scores, fluoride varnish application, impression taking and clinical photography whilst getting paid? Would you like an opportunity to work across a variety of health, residential care, pharmacy and early years settings providing oral and general health advice? Would you like to be able to carry out NHS health checks which include diabetes and blood pressure checks?

The new and innovative level 4 qualification will be delivered through New College Durham and will commence in January 2023 for the duration of 16 months. In addition to the qualifications the post will provide the opportunity to work 3 days in a dental practice, 1 day in college and 1 day in a non-dental community setting to provide a breadth of learning and experience.

On completion of the apprenticeship the Royal Society of Public Health Level 4 Diploma for Oral Health Practitioners will be awarded.

Main duties of the job

There are several apprenticeship roles available and it is envisaged that they will be close to (but not in) the localities listed. Due to the nature of the role and the opportunities of placements available within the communities they may not be in the exact postcode but are currently planned to be close by to Blyth, Cramlington, Wallsend, North Shields and Newcastle. This can be discussed in more detail as part of the recruitment process as more community placements could be introduced.

This role will:

• Carry out a range of oral health procedures in the clinical environment to include the application of fluoride varnish, taking clinical photographs and taking dental impressions, following a treatment plan provided by a clinician
• Prepare and maintain the clinical environment, carry out infection control and prevention procedures and mix and handle biomaterials
• Deliver one to one oral health instructions offering advice and guidance within the clinical setting, following a treatment plan provided by a clinician
• Work together with other professionals within the NHS and Local Authorities to develop programmes of care and offer specialist advice on mouth care for individuals and groups
• Participate in the planning, implementation and delivery of programmes including local campaigns of public awareness regarding oral health i.e. National Smile Month, Stop Smoking campaigns and Mouth Cancer Awareness Month

About us

The Northeast and North Cumbria (NENC) Flexible Apprenticeship Scheme (FAS) was created by the Integrated Care Board (ICB), in partnership with NECS and supported by Health Education England (HEE).

About NECS

NECS are running the Flexible Apprenticeship Scheme on behalf of NENC ICB. You'll be employed by NECS but will work within a provider organisation which means you get to experience all of the benefits of the NHS including generous holidays and pension, plus access to NHS discounts.

About Health Education England

Health Education England (HEE) exists to support the delivery of excellent healthcare and health improvement to the patients and public of England by ensuring that the workforce of today and tomorrow has the right numbers, skills, values and behaviours, at the right time and in the right place.

The oral health of the Northeast and north Cumbria has been steadily improving over the last 40 years. However, there are groups in the population where levels of preventable, poor oral health remain high. Projected population changes between now and 2042 will have a significant effect on the levels of oral health and workforce need. Consequently, the Directorate of Multi-Professional Dental Education within Health Education England Northeast has developed this innovative apprenticeship model in collaboration with NECS and New College Durham to support the delivery of oral health education and training.