Level 4 Oral Health Practitioner

It is delivered by Leeds Dental Institute in conjunction with NHS England . The curriculum covers all aspects of health improvement behaviour change, carrying out elements of NHS health checks, nutrition and dietary practice, oral health education and promotion.

Visit the Institute for Apprenticeships website

The Role of an Oral Health Practitioner

Oral Health Practitioners have a high degree of autonomy and have responsibility for working directly with patients performing a range of oral health preventive procedure which involve working in a patient’s mouth.

The Oral Health Practitioner role complements the role of other dental professionals and fits in the dental career structure a higher level than a dental nurse but below a dental hygienist, hygienist / therapist or dentist.

Working to the direction of a dentist you will take dental bacterial plaque indices and debris scores, apply fluoride varnish, take clinical photographs, take impressions and carry out tooth brushing in the patient’s mouth. You will prepare and maintain the clinical environment, carry out infection control and prevention procedures, and prepare, mix and handle bio-materials.

You will deliver oral health prevention with patients, deliver oral health education and promotion to the public including clinical preventative advice interventions to targeted groups such as care givers for older people or ante-natal groups. You will provide integrated general, oral health advice and preventative treatments in line with treatment plans.

Q&A’s

The apprenticeship is 20 months long including EPA and a supported transitional period. As with all apprenticeships there is a requirement for the employer to support the apprentice with off the job training. This involves attending taught and practical study sessions at Leeds Dental Institute and completion of online learning sessions. In addition, the apprentice will be required to undertake practical activities in their workplace or other relevant environment and complete reflective logs. These are linked to the additional scope of practice skills.

As well as achieving the Level 4 apprenticeship, on completion of the apprenticeship the apprentice will also gain the Royal Society of Public Health Level 4 Diploma for Oral Health Practitioners

In addition, embedded within the programme are the following RSPH Certificated short course qualifications.

· RSPH level 2 Award in Understanding and Delivering an NHS Health Check

· RSPH level 2 Award in Supporting Behaviour Change

· RSPH Level 2 Award in Understanding Health Improvement

To undertake the oral health practitioner apprenticeship, you will require:

To become an Oral Health Practitioner, the requirements are: you must already be a dental nurse or other appropriate registered dental care professional with the General Dental Council.
Aged 19+ years old.
Have a permanent contract of employment in the dental environment for a minimum of 30 hours per week.
A recent DBS check.
Indemnity to undertake additional skills.
Full support from your employer to carry out the additional skills once trained and time away from work to undertake the taught sessions of apprenticeship, which equates to off the job training over the duration of the programme.
Compliant with Residency/Eligibility criteria.

In most cases this training will be provided free of charge.

The full cost of the Oral Health Practitioner apprenticeship is £9,000. However, if you are working for a “levy paying organisation” such as a large dental corporate or NHS organisation the cost of the apprenticeship will be met by the organisation’s Apprenticeship Levy. Therefore, there are no fees to be paid.

The cost to a small/medium employer such as a general dental practice (who does not pay the apprenticeship levy) is only £450 as the apprenticeship can be funded by:

Applying for a funding reservation via a Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) account – the Government will fund 95% of the cost of the apprenticeship programme and the employer will be liable to pay 5% which is only £450.00 over the term of the apprenticeship.

Or by applying for a levy transfer via NHS England that would cover 100% of the cost.

A Skills Scan will be completed as part of the enrolment process to identify your current skills and if any APEL can be awarded. In order to receive APEL you may be asked to provide evidence of your prior experience or learning at level 4, this will be discussed with you as part of your enrolment onto the Apprenticeship.

What our learners say..

I have just finished my OHP course and loved every minute. All the staff were so supportive, and helped me through every part including the end point assessment. Nothing was too much trouble. Thank you

Fantastic teaching! All the tutors really encouraged me throughout the course, and supported me to push myself beyond my comfort zone and excel! I am very grateful!

How do I get further information and application form?

For more information please view the recorded presentation below. By clicking the image, you will be taken to Youtube where the video will play.

Oral Health Practitioner Info Session 2025

Contact Us

If you have any questions please email us.

Level 4 Oral Health Practitioner Apprenticeship

A new and innovative qualification, delivered by Leeds Dental Institute in conjunction with NHS England, aimed at dental nurses wishing to develop their careers.

View the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education Website for further information.

Details of the oral health apprenticeship standards can be found on the Institute for Apprenticeships website.

Application – Oral Health Practitioner Apprenticeship