There's a persistent narrative in the dental community that people complete training courses only to file away the certificate and never use what they've learned. Time constraints, NHS contract pressures, and lack of clinical opportunity are frequently cited as barriers that prevent newly qualified professionals from using their skills. The assumption is that certificates disappear into CPD folders while the knowledge fades through lack of use. We recently surveyed 22 past Level 3 Oral Health Education (OHE) students to find out whether this view reflects reality specifically in relation to OHE qualifications. The results were encouraging and challenged this prevailing narrative.
95% are still using their OHE skills
Let's start with the headline figure: 21 out of 22 respondents are still actively using their OHE skills in practice. This single statistic powerfully rebuts the idea that OHE qualifications are merely box-ticking exercises. What makes the data particularly interesting is the diversity of roles in which these skills are being applied. Only a handful hold the specific job title of oral health educator. Most are dental nurses or lead nurses who've woven education into their existing roles rather than treating it as a separate activity.
Education is happening chairside, not just in standalone clinics
Rather than running separate prevention clinics, the majority are delivering education during routine appointments:
- 73% deliver education at the end of appointments with dentists.
- 41% do so after appointments with hygienists or therapists.
Instead of expecting patients to attend a separate appointment, these respondents are integrating education into routine visits. A patient who has just had treatment is often more receptive to advice about preventing future problems; the filling they have just received can become a natural prompt for a conversation about diet and sugar intake. By anchoring education into the patient journey, dental nurse oral health educators ensure that messages about fluoride, diet, brushing technique and plaque control are reinforced consistently. This consistency is crucial for the behavioural change that ultimately determines whether preventative dentistry succeeds or fails.
Education is reaching beyond the practice too
Around a third of respondents deliver group sessions in schools, care homes and community settings. In the context of UK public health challenges, this kind of outreach is significant. Tooth decay remains the most common reason for hospital admission in children aged 6 to 10 (Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, 2023). These are preventable admissions, and oral health educators are playing a direct role in tackling this problem at its source. When asked about planning and delivering local oral health initiatives:
- 68% said they'd feel confident doing so independently.
- 82% feel fully competent to deliver education without supervision.
The Level 3 course clearly develops more than just clinical knowledge. It provides skills in planning, communication, content and resource creation skills needed to engage with diverse groups effectively. One respondent described the fulfillment of meeting people from diverse backgrounds who had never received oral health instruction before, highlighting the role these professionals play in reducing health inequalities.
The ability of oral health educators to reach beyond their practices and engage with local communities represents a valuable public health resource. These OHEs understand both the clinical evidence and the practical realities of implementing change in people's daily lives.
Is there anything in the way?
Despite high levels of skill application, some barriers do persist. While most respondents felt supported by their practices, a few reported challenges including:
- A lack of encouragement from dentists.
- Difficulty finding time within busy clinic schedules.
- Limited resources for non-English-speaking patients.
The ongoing learning appetite
The GDC requires all registrants to undertake CPD to maintain registration, but this survey suggests a desire for learning that goes beyond mandatory compliance:
- 86% said the course had positively influenced their professional growth.
- The majority indicated that refresher training would be valuable.
What do they want to learn more about?
Current knowledge regarding commercial products came up repeatedly. The oral care market is saturated with products making all sorts of claims, from whitening to sensitivity relief to gum health. Patients naturally look to dental professionals to cut through marketing claims and provide evidence-based advice on what actually works. If an educator isn't sure whether an electric toothbrush is worth the investment, or which sensitivity toothpaste actually delivers results, their confidence in making recommendations suffers. Training programmes should include regular updates on commercial product awareness, helping educators bridge the gap between clinical guidelines and the products available on supermarket shelves.
OHE as a career springboard
The link between OHE training and career progression emerged as another positive theme. For many respondents, the course serves as a gateway to further professional development. One commented that they didn't think they would have achieved as much in their career without the foundation the course provided, which led them to pursue additional training in radiography and fluoride varnish application.
This progression matters for workforce retention. In a profession struggling with staff shortages and burnout, providing dental nurses with opportunities for skill development and career advancement helps retain valuable team members. When staff feel they're growing and making a meaningful difference, they're more likely to stay in the profession.
The bottom line
This survey challenges the pessimistic view that OHE skills go unused after course completion. The evidence shows that students are applying their knowledge daily, improving patient outcomes and advancing their own careers.
The enthusiasm for preventative dentistry among these professionals is clear. The question now is how the industry can better support them: through more realistic scheduling that allows time for education, better resources for diverse populations, regular product and evidence updates, and practice cultures that genuinely value prevention alongside treatment.
Oral health educators are the frontline of preventative dentistry, translating the Delivering Better Oral Health toolkit into everyday conversations that save teeth and improve lives. This survey shows they're doing exactly that.
Written by Ellie Hilton RDN, BA
References:
Department of Health and Social Care (2021). Delivering better oral health: an evidence-based toolkit for prevention.
General Dental Council (2018). Enhanced CPD Scheme 2018. London: General Dental Council.
Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (2023). Oral health survey of 5-year-old children 2022. GOV.UK.
