Oral Health Improvement Practitioner Cambridgeshire

Oral Health Improvement Practitioner

Job summary

The Oral Health Practitioner will work as part of the Oral Health Improvement Team to support the delivery of evidence-based oral health interventions across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, working with general population groups and targeted high-risk groups, including supervised toothbrushing programmes and fluoride varnish programmes, in line with local and national guidance.

They will communicate effectively, persuade and influence colleagues and staff from other agencies to build capacity to embed oral health improvement into daily practice to reduce oral health inequalities.

Often working alone in the community, the post holder will deliver oral health prevention advice, education and health promotion activities to individuals, families and groups, including evidence-based clinical preventative advice and interventions to targeted population groups.

The post holder will work across a range of community settings, including early years settings, primary and secondary schools, care homes, family hubs, and other non-clinical or healthcare environments. The role requires flexibility to work within diverse locations across the community, integrating oral health prevention into everyday settings and delivering interventions in line with local authority and service priorities.

Should we receive a high number of applications we reserve the right to close this vacancy at any point after 10th August 2026

Main duties of the job

• Support the Oral Health Improvement Team in the delivery of a range of oral health improvement programmes aligned with national and local priorities, including existing programmes such as supervised toothbrushing and other targeted oral health initiatives.
• Organise and prioritise own workload to deliver oral health improvement programmes across community settings, working independently within agreed service parameters.
• Complete quality audit visits in supervised toothbrushing settings, providing feedback and recommendations where required and maintaining accurate records to support programme delivery.
• Deliver fluoride varnish application within educational and community settings, in accordance with agreed protocols, training and competency frameworks.
• Provide general oral health information, through the provision of practical or verbal advice, and other educational resources, to families, carers and staff within early years, school and community settings.
• Prepare and distribute oral health resources and programme materials to settings across the localities, ensuring resources are available to support effective programme delivery. To be responsible for equipment and resources, used in carrying out duties.
• Assist the Oral Health Improvement Team with events and engagement activities across the locality and if required, in oral health promotion activities which fall outside normal working hours, including weekends.

About us

Rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission, we are proud to provide high quality innovative services across most of the east of England that enable people to receive care closer to home and live healthier lives.

There's one reason why our services are outstanding - and that's our amazing staff who, for the seventh year running, rated us incredibly highly in the national staff survey.

Details

Date posted: 03 August 2026

Closing date: 20 August 2026

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 4

Salary: £28,392 to £31,157 a year per annum, pro-rata

Contract: Fixed term

Duration: 24 months

Working pattern: Full-time, Job share

Reference number: 448-AMB-8192959

Job locations: Brookfields Health Centre & Midgate Peterborough, Cambridge/Peterborough, CB1 3DQ, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

To become an Oral Health Practitioner, you must already be a dental nurse or other appropriate dental care professional registered with the General Dental Council.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the Oral Health Improvement Team in the delivery of a range of oral health improvement programmes aligned with national and local priorities, including existing programmes such as supervised toothbrushing and other targeted oral health initiatives.
• Organise and prioritise own workload to deliver oral health improvement programmes across community settings, working independently within agreed service parameters.
• Complete quality audit visits in supervised toothbrushing settings, providing feedback and recommendations where required and maintaining accurate records to support programme delivery.
• Deliver fluoride varnish application within educational and community settings, in accordance with agreed protocols, training and competency frameworks.
• Provide general oral health information, through the provision of practical or verbal advice, and other educational resources, to families, carers and staff within early years, school and community settings.
• Prepare and distribute oral health resources and programme materials to settings across the localities, ensuring resources are available to support effective programme delivery.
• To be responsible for equipment and resources, used in carrying out duties.
• Assist the Oral Health Improvement Team with events and engagement activities across the locality and if required, in oral health promotion activities which fall outside normal working hours, including weekends.
• To comply with the mandatory training matrix and be responsible for maintaining competence to practice through continuing professional development activities, including portfolio development, attending internal and external training courses and undertaking reflective practice, and attend relevant training at required intervals.
• Be accountable for own actions and decisions made during programme delivery.

Communication:

• Build positive working relationships with healthcare professionals, education providers, early years settings, community organisations and other partner agencies.
• Provide clear, consistent oral health messages in line with Delivering Better Oral Health and other relevant guidance.
• Communicate effectively with staff in settings to support the embedding of oral health improvement activities into routine practice.
• Understand the needs of different patient groups you work with across the age range including those who are nervous, have learning disabilities, have mental health conditions or phobias, require palliative care or have cognitive impairment such as dementia.
• Maintain a professional and calm approach when working in emotionally demanding situations, including engagement with vulnerable groups or settings experiencing multiple challenges.
• Identify issues that may impact delivery, determine appropriate mitigating actions, and make decisions on the most suitable course of action within agreed service parameters, escalating complex or highrisk issues to a senior practitioner where necessary.
• To actively participate in team meetings to develop and improve practice in the team and promote new ideas.

Budgetary Responsibility

Maintain stock control and if required order oral health consumables.

People Management

Maintaining own professional development and requirement to take part in appraisal and KSF process.

Physical Skills

Combination of walking, standing and bending required and to lift and carry training equipment, resources and materials to other locations for the delivery of training or to support programme delivery.

The role may involve lone working, travelling between sites, managing competing demands, and adapting delivery in environments where staff capacity, engagement or facilities are limited.

Working in environments with variable conditions such as noise, temperature, space constraints and limited facilities.

Exposure to emotionally demanding situations, including working with vulnerable children, families and adults, and responding to challenging behaviour.

Requirement to remain calm, professional and effective in stressful or unpredictable situations.

Clinical and Practice Governance

Observe and maintain strict confidentiality with regards to any patient/family/staff/records and information in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act.

Any data that is taken/shared as part of a phone call or transported, faxed or transferred electronically must be undertaken with regard to the Trust Information Governance and Information Security policies.

The post holder must adhere to the Trust risk assessment and risk management processes

The post holder must adhere to infection control policies and procedures

It is a condition of your employment that you are currently registered with your professional body, and it is your responsibility to maintain your professional registration.

Undertake mandatory training and any other training relevant to the role as required by East of England Community Health & Care NHS Trust.

General

Safeguarding people responsibility

Safeguarding children and adults at risk of abuse or neglect is a collective responsibility.

There is an expectation that all staff develop and maintain their role relevant safeguarding people competencies and comply with local safeguarding partnerships practice. Alongside this employee who are registrants are reminded of their professional duty of care.

Safeguarding means protecting a citizens health, wellbeing and human rights; enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. It is an integral part of providing high-quality health care.

Those most in need of protection include:

• Children and young people
• Adults at risk, such as those receiving care in their own home, people with physical, sensory, and mental impairments, and those with learning disabilities.

The post holder must at all times carry out their duties with regard to East of England Community Health & Care NHS Trust Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

To be aware of the responsibilities of all employees to maintain a safe and healthy environment for patients, visitors, and staff.

All post holders must adhere to the code of conduct on confidentiality and be aware of and adhere to all Trust policies and procedures.

This job description is intended only as a guide to the range of duties involved. The post holder will need to be flexible and adaptable in order to respond to other duties that may be required from time to time and the changes and developments within the Trust.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions) Order 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure of Barring Service to be made to check for any previous criminal convictions. East of England Community Health & Care NHS Trust is committed to the fair treatment of its staff, potential staff, or users in line with its equal opportunities policy and policy statement on the recruitment of ex-offenders.

Sustainability

It is the responsibility of all staff to minimise the Trusts environmental impact wherever possible. This will include recycling, switching off lights, computers, monitors, and equipment when not in use.

Helping to reduce paper waste by minimising printing/copying and reducing water usage, reporting faults and heating/cooling concerns promptly and minimising travel. Where the role includes the ordering and use of supplies or equipment the post holder will consider the environmental impact of purchases.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential

• Dental Nurse Qualification e.g. NEBDN Qualification/City and Guilds NVQ3 or equivalent
• GDC Registration
• Good general education, 4 GCSEs at grade C or above, NVQ3 or equivalent

Desirable

• Certificate in Oral Health Promotion or equivalent qualification.
• Certificate in Fluoride Application
• Preparing to teach in the Lifelong sector (PTTLS certificate/L3 in Education and Training)

Experience

Essential

• Involvement in working with vulnerable people and/or carers, including children and families
• Evidence of team and partnership working

Desirable

• Experience of delivering oral health or wider health improvement activities
• Involved in the delivery of oral health improvement sessions within the dental setting to patients individually or in small groups

Skills

Essential

• Some understanding of health/oral health improvement principles and practices.
• Able to communicate effectively e.g. verbal and writing skills.

Desirable

• Involved in the delivery of oral health improvement sessions within the dental setting to patients individually or in small groups

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

Employer details

Employer name: East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust (Cambridge)

Address: Brookfields Health Centre & Midgate Peterborough, Cambridge/Peterborough, CB1 3DQ, United Kingdom

Employer's website:

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact: Oral Health Improvement Team Lead, Nicola Rice, Nicola.rice7@nhs.net, 07912488094