Oral Health NOS
Skills for Health champions the benefits of workforce learning and development based on competences / National Occupational Standards (NOS). As a Sector Skills Council, we develop and maintain NOS for healthcare occupations.
Statements of competence
NOS describe the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to undertake a particular task or job to a nationally recognised level of competence. They focus on what the person needs to be able to do, as well as what they must know and understand to work effectively. They cover the key activities undertaken within the occupation in question under all the circumstances the job holder is likely to encounter.
Each NOS contains an agreed set of knowledge and understanding and performance criteria that must be met before someone can be deemed competent. They describe the minimum standard to which an individual is expected to work in a given occupation.
NOS in development
During 2025-2026, Skills for Health is working with the oral health sector to develop NOS for additional skills carried out by Dental Nurses post-registration. This project is governed by a UK-wide Steering Group which provides sector specific advice and guidance on the content of the NOS.
Background
This project has arisen following the review of the Dental Nursing NOS (National Occupational Standards) in 2024/2025. The Dental Nursing NOS were reviewed in 2024/2025 to ensure alignment to the General Dental Council Safe Practitioner Framework.
There were nine Dental Nursing NOS contained within this suite, SFHOH1 – SFHOH9. Out of this nine, SFHOH09 (Take a direct oral impression of an individual to produce an analogue or cast) was identified was as being out of scope of the Safe Practitioner Framework and an additional skill. The purpose of this work is to ensure that NOS are available to describe the main additional skills carried out by Dental Nurses. This will include a review of SFHOH9 as well as creation of new NOS as required.
How can I be involved?
Skills for Health are carrying out a public consultation for these Dental Nursing NOS and invite you to take part. If you’d like to contribute, the consultation should take no longer that about 30 – 40 minutes to complete.
The following NOS are included in this consultation:
- OH09 – Take a direct oral impression of an individual to produce an analogue cast or digital record
- SFHOH36 – Measure and record plaque indices
- SFHOH37 – Place a Dental Rubber Dam to Isolate the Operative Field
- SFHOH38 – Undertake the application of fluoride varnish
The consultation will close at midday on Friday, 12 December 2025.
Access this consultation
If you have any immediate questions, please contact competences@skillsforhealth.org.uk
‘The work is an important step in setting standards for the additional skills undertaken by Dental Nurses post-registration. With UK wide application, the NOS will ensure that the sector has access to nationally agreed statements of competence for a range of additional skills that are increasingly undertaken by registered Dental Nurses. Once approved the NOS will be freely available for use by employers to use to support development of competence in the workplace, and for training providers and awarding bodies to benchmark the content of education and training.
This survey provides you with the opportunity to review the draft standards and influence the final content. I would encourage you to contribute your feedback.’
Michael Wheeler, National Programme Manager Dental Apprenticeships
Oral Health and Dental Care Professional Development Lead (Southwest)
NHS England
Chair of the Oral Health NOS Steering Group