Qualification of the month – Oral Health Education
NEBDN is supporting its course providers by sharing monthly articles named ‘Crowning Courses’, to highlight the Post-Registration qualifications on offer for accreditation. The articles are also useful for qualified dental nurses wanting to progress their careers, or those thinking of becoming a course provider and wanting to know more about the qualifications we offer and how the course syllabus works.
This month’s Crowning Courses article features our Oral Health Education (OHE) qualification.
The course at a glance
NEBDN course providers offering the OHE qualification can support qualified dental nurses in the progression of their Post-Registration journey.
NEBDN’s certificate in OHE is specifically designed to equip a dental nurse wishing to develop professionally to become an oral health educator, with the knowledge and skills required to be able to effectively deliver oral health care messages, educate various patient groups and have the ability to adapt information and communication to the specific needs of the patient.
The course content
For more information on our OHE qualification or syllabus click here
Exam schedule
Currently NEBDN provide two exam dates a year in March and September for all Post-Registration exams.
Prior to sitting the exam, candidates are required to complete a work-based assessment portfolio called the Record of Competence, which can now be completed online for ease of use to candidates, course providers and the environment. Click here for full exam schedule.
Success stats
• Most searched for Post-Registration qualification in 2020 on our website
• Over 7,000 OHE page visits on our website since January 2020, with over 1,600 course provider searches for the qualification this year.
• Currently, we have 33 course providers offering this course, but as you can see above, the demand is there for new students to join.
Following a recent survey to Post-Registration candidates, the below graph shows the percentage of how many candidates felt a Post-Registration course helped towards career development, with 87% of candidates agreeing it provides future opportunities to use it in practice.
As an awarding organisation, NEBDN offer the most Post-Registration qualifications across the UK in Radiography, Implant, Sedation, Oral Health, Orthodontics and Special Care. Offering a wider range of qualifications provides flexibility for course providers wanting to expand and grow their businesses, as it allows students to stay within the same course provider practice when moving on to another area of dental nursing.
Process for accreditation
For more information, or to order an accreditation enquiry pack, please complete the Contact Form and return to the accreditation team at accreditation@nebdn.org or telephone us on 01772 429917.
Benefit of choosing an NEBDN accredited course
• NEBDN’s long-standing reputation outweighs many competitors, with over 75 years of providing dental nursing qualifications in both pre-registration and post-registration areas.
• Our primary qualification is recognised by a regulatory body, and as a registered charity we don’t charge any hidden fees or incentives, because our vision is to support the education and development of dental nurses in the UK.
• All candidates who successfully pass their qualifications are awarded certificates of completion as opposed to certificates of attendance which are of different relevance.
• Holding accreditation for delivery of qualifications indicates that the standards for education, policies, process and procedures in place, highlight an effective quality management system which is the core foundation of a course provider.
• An accredited qualification could be more favourable with employers who are aware of the standards required to achieve qualification.
• Accredited courses offer guided learning hours and credits – where appropriate these can be transferred to further education, whereas non-accredited courses cannot offer this opportunity.
• Students can purchase the widely recognised NEBDN pin badge that dates back to 1951!
Costs
• Accreditation fee for existing course providers – no charge
• Accreditation fee for new course providers £500
• Course fee to us £195* per candidate
*Additional fees to students may apply, subject to each course provider policy and course schedule
Where can this qualification take me?
A qualified dental nurse who is awarded the NEBDN certificate in OHE will be able to take a more active role in the promotion of oral health and work with patients to help prevent oral disease. You will be responsible for motivating and educating patients to make positive changes to their oral health care routine, and help patients change their behaviour and understand the causes of dental disease.
Undertaking this qualification will also help to develop your communication skills, which is essential for delivering oral health education and being an effective educator.