Review of Oral Health National Occupational Standards
Skills for Health have been commissioned by Skills Development Scotland to undertake 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.
The need
The need to revise these Oral Health NOS has arisen following the introduction of new General Dental Council (GDC) Safe Practitioner Framework. 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.
The General Dental Council (GDC) is the regulatory body across the UK that sets the standards for entry to the register. The Oral Health (Dental Nursing) and Oral Health (Dental Technology) NOS must continue to reflect the regulator’s standards. The GDC has set a timeline of September 2025 by when all provision must be updated to the Safe Practitioner standards.
Dental Nursing
Skills for Health carried out a public consultation for the Oral Health (Dental Nursing) NOS which closed on 23 December 2024. The Steering Group are now reviewing the results of this public consultation with the with the aim of using insights from across the UK to inform the final standards which will be submitted for approval.
We expect that the updated NOS will be available for use in April 2025. If you have any immediate questions, please contact competences@skillsforhealth.org.uk.
Dental Technology
Skills for Health will conduct a public consultation in early 2025. To be notified of when the consultation opens, and be kept up to date with any developments, register your interest below.
If you have any immediate questions, please contact competences@skillsforhealth.org.uk