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.
Background
The need for this project arose 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 was to ensure that NOS are available to describe the main additional skills carried out by Dental Nurses. This included a review of SFHOH9 as well as creation of new NOS as required.
NOS now approved
During 2025-2026, Skills for Health worked with the oral health sector to develop NOS for the main additional skills carried out by Dental Nurses post-registration.
This project was governed by a UK-wide Steering Group which provided sector specific advice and guidance on the content of the NOS. A consultation was also held in late 2025 to gather wider views from across the sector. Feedback from the steering group and consultation informed the development of these revised NOS.
The updated / new NOS can be found on the UK Standards website:
- SFHOH09: Take a direct intra 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
If you have any immediate questions, please contact [email protected]