Certificate of Competency in Measuring and Recording Plaque Indices for Dental Nurses
This course is designed as an extended duty for qualified and registered Dental Nurses and as an adjunct to existing oral health qualifications and knowledge. Dental nurses will be able to use plaque indices as part of oral health assessment and education. This is an additional skill carried out on prescription from, or under the direction of, another registrant.
The course is run over 2 sessions. Dental nurses are required to provide records of treating a minimum of 5 patients on two occasions having had a plaque score at both visits as part of their oral health education within a 6 month period. ( this can be extended if needed)
Aim
By the end of this course, dental nurses will be able to display sufficient knowledge and demonstrate practical skills in the measuring and recording of plaque indices as part of a treatment plan for a variety of patients, under the prescription of another registrant.
Learning outcomes
- · Be aware of the GDC Standards.
- · Recognise Oral Anatomy, including detailed anatomy of relevant oral tissues.
- · Be aware of the aetiology and development of Oral Plaque.
- · Identify, define and describe various plaque indices.
- · Identify indications for the application of plaque indices.
- · Understand the correlation between plaque indices and oral hygiene instruction.
- · Identify the required Instruments & materials.
- · Understand and demonstrate disclosing techniques and instrumentation required.
- · Demonstrate and practice measuring and recording of plaque indices.
- · Complete a record of experience to achieve competency.
Content
Day 1 (Theory & Hands-on)
· Regulations and the GDC including scope of practice and informed consent.
· Safeguarding Responsibilities.
· Aetiology of plaque and related diseases.
· Identification of plaque indices.
· Indications for the use of plaque indices.
· The Oral Cavity
· The procedure, materials and techniques.
· The relationship between plaque and oral hygiene, communication skills & patient management.
· Record of Experience.
Day 2 (Hands on)
· Revise the oral cavity.
· Discuss the procedure, materials and techniques.
· Discuss plaque and oral hygiene, communication skills.
· Establish Record of Experience.