Offer information and support to individuals about dental services and the protection of oral health

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This standard is concerned with providing information on dental services and helping individuals to improve and maintain their oral health.

To provide information about dental services, you will need to have overview of the wider healthcare systems including health policy and organisation and the role of health promotion, as well as the ethical, legal and financial issues associated with your organisation and managing a dental practice.

This standard involves communicating with the individual to provide information on improving and maintaining oral health and the demonstration of methods of caring for implant supported restorations and prostheses as prescribed directly by the dentist.

Whilst promoting oral health you will need to acknowledge the individual's right to make choices in the context of their own lives, and the reasons why individuals may not choose to promote their oral health as best they could.

Users of this standard will need to ensure that practice reflects up to date information and policies.

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1. access and accurately interpret all relevant work instructions and information
2. work safely at all times and in accordance with all relevant legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols
3. deal promptly and effectively with any problems within your control and report those which cannot be solved
4. identify and minimise hazards and risk in the workplace
5. confirm identity of the individual in accordance with organisational procedures
6. gain valid, informed consent from the individual in accordance with specific procedures
7. communicate with the individual at a pace, in a manner and at a level appropriate to the individual's understanding, preferences and needs
8. provide support to the individual in accordance with their needs relating to dignity, confidentiality, and privacy
9. provide information, as prescribed by the dentist, to individuals on factors which may lead to poor oral health, which is clearly related to the individual's personal practices and circumstances
10. prepare and use oral health education aids which are appropriate to the individual and promote behavioural change
11. advise individuals on the use of disclosing agents and how this may aid the individual to improve their oral hygiene
12. demonstrate oral hygiene techniques that have been prescribed by the dentist
13. demonstrate methods of caring for prostheses and implant supported restorations
14. give individuals the opportunity to discuss and seek clarification on any particular points
15. act and provide advice, information and support to individuals in ways that are consistent with other members of the oral health care team and within your scope of practice
16. dispose of waste in accordance with organisational procedures
17. complete and store all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements

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1. the current legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols which are relevant to your work practice and to which you must adhere
2. the scope and limitations of your own competence, responsibilities and accountability as it applies to your job role
3. how to access and interpret all relevant work instructions and information
4. specific procedures for reporting issues which are beyond your competence, responsibilities and accountability
5. the duty to report any acts or omissions that could be unsafe/detrimental to you or others
6. the hazards and risks which may arise during the execution of your work role and how you can minimise these
7. how to adapt communication styles in ways which are appropriate to the needs of the individual
8. the correct use of any equipment and PPE to protect the health and safety of you and others
9. how to obtain positive confirmation of an individual's identity in accordance with organisational procedures
10. the principles, practice and procedures associated with informed consent
11. the main types and causes of oral disease and how to prevent them
12. the development of dental plaque and methods of controlling it
13. the ways in which general health can affect oral health
14. methods, techniques, agents or materials to prevent caries
15. the nature and progression of dental and oral disease
16. the ways in which periodontal disease can be prevented and/or minimised including effective oral hygiene techniques
17. the social, cultural, psychological, and environmental factors which contribute to health and illness
18. the sources, role, mechanisms, forms and optimum levels of fluoride in dental health
19. how individual behaviours impact on oral health
20. methods of caring for dentures, orthodontic appliances and implants
21. the importance of the individual's right to make choices in the context of their own lives, and the reasons why individuals may not choose to promote their oral health as best they could
22. the systems and processes to support safe care for the individual
23. how to recognise the signs of injury, abuse or neglect and how to raise concerns with the appropriate person or agency
24. when and how to refer individuals to relevant others
25. the organisations that have responsibilities for the ethical, legal and financial issues associated with managing a dental practice
26. how to handle complaints in accordance with organisational requirements
27. the needs of individuals including issues relating to dignity, confidentiality, and privacy
28. organisational management structures, roles, and responsibilities
29. how to dispose of waste in accordance with organisational procedures
30. how to complete and safely store all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements

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3

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30 Mar 2027

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Current

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Original

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Skills for Health

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SFHOH2

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Dental Nurse, Dental Assistant

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3218

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Offer; information; support; dental; services; protection; oral health

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