Overview
The aim of this course is to provide training for registered dental nurses to become competent and confident in plaque scoring and applying fluoride varnish under the prescription of a dentist or as part of a structured oral health programme.
This course is suited to registered dental nurses, hygienists, therapists and orthodontic therapists.
Topics covered:
Oral Health Education and Promotion
Fluoride Varnish Application
Plaque Indices
Student Feedback
Benefits
Starting in February 2024, enrolled students can now access our Level 1 Certificate in Essential Learning Skills at no additional cost. Developed by Melanie Pomphrett RDH, who holds a Masters Degree in Professional Dental Practice and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, this course is carefully designed to empower students for successful completion of their course.
- Online tutorials.
- Downloadable booklet.
- Affordable extended-duties course.
- Tutor support.
- Flexible learning.
- Nationwide availability.
- 20 hours of Verifiable CPD.
- Free access to a Level 1 Certificate in Essential Learning Skills.
- Certificate of Competence awarded upon successful completion.
Structure
- A six-week online course which includes watching tutorials and completing multi-choice questions.
- Practical learning/ROC portfolio to be completed under the supervision of a dentist or suitably trained dental care professional. RoC example case study/log sheet here.
- Course booklet.
- Tutor support throughout the course including email support, access to live teleclasses and webinars.
Record of competence (RoC):
Fluoride Varnish
- You are expected to record ten log sheets, comprising five adults and five young adults and children. You have a maximum of three months to complete your RoC.
- The RoC is now typed up, not written. Microsoft word is required OR Google Docs which is a free version similar to Microsoft Word.
Plaque Indices
- You are expected to record ten patients (previously fifteen). We do not specify patient groups.
- You have a maximum of three months to complete your ROC.
The role of your supervisor/mentor:
- Your written record of competence should be completed under the supervision of a dentist, hygienist, therapist or trained dental nurse.
- They are expected to guide you through your practical training including demonstrating the procedure to you, signing off your portfolio and writing comments on your progress.
Objectives
Fluoride Varnish Learning Objectives
GDC Development Outcomes: A, B, C , D.
Week 1:
- Deliver basic oral hygiene and diet advice to parents and children.
- Demonstrate effective tooth-brushing techniques.
- Deliver basic tailored oral health instructions to children and young adults with orthodontic appliances.
- Define the main differences between gingivitis and periodontitis.
- Deliver basic smoking and alcohol cessation advice.
- Deliver basic oral health advice to adults, including specific advice for pregnant women.
- Provide denture care instructions to patients.
- Give advice to patients suffering with xerostomia.
- Adapt basic oral hygiene instructions for patients with special needs.
- Deliver advice to carers on assisted brushing.
Week 2:
- Confidently explain to a patient the process of caries and the possible outcomes of untreated caries.
- Have a good theoretical understanding of how fluoride helps prevent decay and be confident in explaining this to a patient.
- Be aware of supporting evidence in the use of systemic and topical fluoride in caries prevention and preventing dentine sensitivity.
Week 3:
- Have a good understanding of the contents of Introduction to Delivering Better Oral Health.
- Be able to explain to a patient the recommended doses of topical fluoride appropriate for the individual based on age/caries rate / influencing factors.
- Be able to demonstrate during a fluoride application appointment the ability to give supportive oral health advice regarding diet / oral hygiene regime appropriate to the patient being treated.
Week 4:
- Confidently explain the different topical fluoride preparations available, including varnishes/mouthwashes and toothpastes.
- Be able to confidently give advice to a patient about the appropriate product for them.
- Be able to identify any relevant medical history concerns that may prevent the use of a topical fluoride application.
- Be able to identify any contraindication to a topical fluoride application based on any systemic fluoride being taken (including being aware of local water supplies).
- Be aware of the consequences of fluoride toxicity.
- Know how to handle any form of overdose identified.
Week 5:
- Explain the information required in a referral/prescription from a dentist for application of a topical fluoride.
- Explain how informed consent would be obtained from a patient for the procedure (including explaining the different types of consent).
- Explain the process of fluoride application as a step-by-step guide, including any pre- and post-placement advice.
- Be confident in writing clinical notes of the appointment.
Week 6:
- Outline the concerns that patients may have regarding systemic and topical fluoride.
- Have an understanding of some of the clinical evidence against the use of fluoride.
- Be confident in how to manage a situation where a patient has refused consent and in how to offer possible advice on other products they may wish to use. Be able to identify any contraindications to such products.
Plaque Indices Learning Objectives
GDC Development Outcomes: A, C , D.
- Confidently explain to a patient what dental plaque is.
- Confidently explain to a patient how plaque forms in the oral cavity.
- Confidently explain to a patient the role of dental plaque in oral disease.
- Have a good understanding of what indices are.
- Be able to explain why we use dental plaque indices.
- Be aware of different plaque indices methods.
- Be able to explain as a step-by-step guide the process of taking a dental plaque score (Plaque Control Score).
- Have a good understanding of how we can use plaque indices in practice as dental nurses.
- Be aware of any pre- / post- dental plaque indices advice to give the patient.
- Be able to confidently write up appointment notes.
Tutors
Stephanie Carter RDT, RDH
Registered Dental Hygienist and Therapist: 119601
Qualifications: Diploma Dental Hygiene and Therapy, National Certificate Dental Nursing, Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training, Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement, NEBDN Certificate Dental Radiography, ILM Level 3 Award in Leadership and Management, Smoking Cessation Counselling Levels 1 and 2, Young Counsellors Certificate
Emma Leather RDN
Registered Dental Nurse: 148732
Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 Dental Nursing, Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management, Level 4 National Certificate in Internal Quality Assurance, Level 3 Award in Education and Training, Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement, Oral Health Education (BDA)
Competency Training: Impression-Taking, Fluoride Varnish Application
Hilary Urry RDN
Registered Dental Nurse: 139277
Qualifications: Foundation Degree in Advanced Dental Nursing (University of Kent), Certificate Dental Radiography (City University London), Level 3 Certificate in Education and Training, Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement, Level 2 Mental Health Lead.
Competency Training: Fluoride Varnish Application
Payment
Payment Plans
We now offer the option to pay over three months. Please be aware, this increases the fee to £165.00 inc. VAT.
Payment due dates:
- 20 May 2024 £55.00 (Non-refundable deposit)
- 20 June 2024 £55.00
- 20 July 2024 £55.00
We will NOT send reminders of payment due dates. Failure to make payment by the due dates will result in automatic removal from the course.
Please note, your certificate of competence will not be awarded until full payment is made.
Paying by payment plan? Please use enrolment form HERE.
Discounts
Discounts must be requested before payment is made. We do not automatically apply discounts.
Please note that discounts are applied to the VAT-exclusive fee: £116.67. Discounts cannot be applied to payment plans.
Multiple applicant discounts
- Two applicants: 5% discount
- Three applicants: 10% discount
- Four or more applicants: 15% discount
Multiple course discounts
- Two courses: 5% discount
- Three courses: 10% discount
- Four or more courses: 15% discount
Please apply by telephone or use the application form here. DNN will send you an invoice.
