Review of Oral Health National Occupational Standards
Skills for Health champions the benefits of workforce learning and development based on competences and National Occupational Standards (NOS). As a Sector Skills Council, we develop and maintain NOS for healthcare occupations.
Introduction
The need to revise these Oral Health NOS has arisen following the introduction of new General Dental Council (GDC) Safe Practitioner Standards for the dental team. These new standards for proficiency for the dental team known as ‘Safe Practitioner’, were published by the General Dental Council in November 2023, which the NOS must now reflect.
What are National Occupational Standards?
NOS describe the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to undertake a particular task or job to a nationally recognised level of competence. They focus on what the person needs to be able to do, as well as what they must know and understand to work effectively. They cover the key activities undertaken within the occupation in question under all the circumstances the job holder is likely to encounter.
Each NOS contains an agreed set of knowledge and understanding and performance criteria that must be met before someone can be deemed competent. They describe the minimum standard to which an individual is expected to work in a given occupation.
Oral Health NOS in development
Skills for Health is currently undertaking the following projects during 2024-2025:
- A review of Oral Health NOS (Dental Nursing)
- A review of Oral Health NOS (Dental Technology)
These projects are governed by a UK-wide Steering Group, along with smaller Working Groups which provide sector specific advice and guidance on the content of the NOS.
To ensure that all stakeholders have the opportunity to contribute feedback and input to the final versions of the NOS, Skills for Health will conduct a public consultation in early 2025.
If you have any immediate questions, please contact competences@skillsforhealth.org.uk