CERTIFICATE IN ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION

The NEBDN Certificate in Oral Health Education is a GDC-recognised Level 4 qualification for dental nurses, focused on developing skills in oral health promotion, disease prevention, and patient communication.

OHE at a Glance

A summary of the qualification’s purpose, intended learners, and the training format

Purpose of Qualification

This course is ideal for registered dental nurses who are looking to expand their professional role by delivering oral health advice, supporting long-term preventive care strategies, and working more closely with a wide range of patients to improve oral hygiene practices and overall dental health outcomes.

Entry Requirements

GDC or IDC registered dental nurse
Employer support to complete the Electronic Record of Competence (eRoC)
Proficiency in written and spoken English
Have access to a computer and reliable internet connection

Class delivery

This is a fully online, tutor-led course consisting of 10 live sessions delivered via Microsoft Teams. The interactive classes are led by experienced dental tutors, allowing you to learn from home while engaging in real-time discussions and Q&A.

Next Class Dates & Fees

Next Class

10 September 2025 - Wednesday Evening 7.30-9pm

Course Pricing

Tuition Fee: £600
NEBDN Fees: £210

£60 – Record of Competence (RoC)
£150 – Examination Fee

Payment Details

NEBDN fees

Must be paid in full before the course starts.
Required for registration with NEBDN and issuance of the RoC portfolio.

College Fees – Flexible Payment Plan

£100 deposit before the course begins followed by 5 monthly instalments of £100

Get in touch

Oral health educators play a vital role within the dental team, promoting good oral hygiene and helping patients prevent dental disease through tailored advice and education. This nationally accredited qualification equips dental nurses with the knowledge and practical skills to deliver oral health messages effectively, educate diverse patient groups, and adapt communication to individual needs.

The course includes two key components:

Record of Competence (RoC): A workplace-based portfolio including Practical Competence Assessment Sheets (PCAS), case studies, and supplementary outcomes.
Learners must pass the provider Mock exam by 75% (passmark) to move forward to the NEBDN summative examination.
Written Examination: A 90-minute online exam with 45 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and 30 extended matching questions (EMQs), held in March and September.

To be awarded the certificate, candidates must complete the RoC and pass the written examination.

Record of Competence

The RoC is divided into three sections, each designed to assess different aspects of the candidate’s competency:

Practical Competence Assessment Sheets (PCAS):

Learners must complete the PCAS to provide evidence of their involvement in the oral health care of 7 individuals, (4 of these must be seen on at least two occasions) is required and must target at least 5 specified patient groups and all of the topics. The setting should normally be within the learners own place of work but may be elsewhere if appropriate to the particular patient group. Target groups should be taken from: Adolescent (12 - 15), Adult Patient (16 - 64), Elderly Patient (65 and older), Pregnant / nursing mothers, Parents of pre-school children (4 and under), Parents of primary school children (5 - 11) and Special Needs / Medically comprised patient. Topis to be covered are caries, periodontal disease, non carious surface tooth loss, care of dentures, care of orthodontic appliances, Oral conditions, care of fixed prosthetics and orthodontic appliances.

Case Studies:

Learners must choose one patient for the production of a detailed case study. The patient may already be included in the PCAS, but the case study must meet set criteria and must follow the guidelines. The case studies will demonstrate evidence of further reading and reflective practice.
Each case study must be between 2250 and 2750 word.

Supplementary Outcomes:
Learners must complete each of the supplementary outcomes to a level deemed satisfactory by the Centre. The supplementary outcomes will allow the learners to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of areas of the syllabus in which they may not be able to gain clinical experience or which it may not be possible to assess by other means. The content of the supplementary outcomes will be reviewed regularly by NEBDN but currently include:
Production of an exhibition
Reflective Practice
Record of continuing professional development relating to oral health education e.g. background reading, meetings, courses etc

For the exhibition, Learners must choose their audience from the patient/general public population. This could include a visit to a school, hospital, prisons etc.

Written Assessment

This is a 90-minute written examination designed to assess theoretical knowledge across two sections:

Part A – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

45 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) testing a broad range of topics related to oral health education, preventive care, and patient communication.

Part B – Extended Matching Questions (EMQs):

30 extended matching questions (EMQs) which will assess the candidate’s ability to apply knowledge to more complex scenarios.

The written examination is held twice a year, in March and September. Successful completion of both parts of the examination is required for the qualification to be awarded.