Becoming an oral health educator can be a rewarding career path for dental professionals. By educating communities across the UK about proper dental health and hygiene, you can improve many lives.
Postgraduate courses for dental nurses are a great way to progress your career as a dental nurse, with opportunities to earn higher salaries, gain new responsibilities and work in a wider variety of settings. In this blog, we’ll explore how you can take your career to the next level and become an oral health educator with an oral health education course.
Why is oral health education important?
It is estimated that over 2 billion adults and 514 million children across the world suffer from tooth decay. In the UK, there is currently an oral health crisis, particularly in children. Primarily driven by the cost-of-living crisis, many people are struggling to prioritise their dental health.
With oral health being closely associated with an individual’s quality of life, the role of oral health education is extremely important. By becoming an oral health educator, you can have a direct impact on people’s lives across the UK, educating people about maintaining their oral health and therefore improving the quality of their life.
What does an oral health educator do?
The role of an oral health educator is to promote good dental hygiene, advocate for healthy eating habits and educate people about general oral health. This focus on preventative dental care ensures patients are informed, keep consistent with regular appointments, and reduces their risk of issues such as cavities and gum disease.
Typically, oral health educators work within dental practices to provide educational appointments and advice to patients. However, some choose to work for dental charities to promote oral health education or travel to schools to educate children on the importance of good dental hygiene and a healthy diet.
How much do oral health educators make in the UK?
Additional qualifications such as the NEBDN Certificate in Oral Health Education, can unlock new opportunities for dental nurses, including advanced dental nurse positions, which typically offer higher salaries.
According to Glassdoor, the average salary range for an oral health educator in the UK is £27,000-£42,000 per annum. NHS oral health educators can earn between Band 4 and Band 6 of the Agenda for Change pay scale in senior educator positions, meaning salaries of up to £44,000, depending on experience.
How to become an oral health educator
After becoming a qualified dental nurse, there are many postgraduate courses you can take to specialise in your career. One of which is the NEBDN Certificate in Oral Health Education.
NEBDN Certificate in Oral Health Education
This six-month, online course equips you with the knowledge required to provide oral health education, promote good dental health habits and prevent oral disease. It can be studied around your work and other life commitments, with one live online, three-hour class per month. You’ll enjoy the benefits of a classroom experience without the hassle or cost of commuting.
To receive your qualification, you must pass a 90-minute exam held twice a year. You will also need to complete an Electronic Record of Competence (eRoC) to evidence your practical work, which you will need to complete with your employer.
Why SmileWisdom?
At SmileWisdom, our expert tutors provide the best possible standard of dental education. Our live online classes are also fully interactive, offering real-time tutor and peer support when you need it.
We also offer job support through our dedicated job site, featuring dental nursing roles, including oral health educator jobs.
Ready to advance your dental nursing career? Click here to enrol in our NEBDN Certificate in Oral Health Education course today.
Alternatively, if you want to see our range of postgraduate courses for dental nurses, click here.
