OH3.2025 Provide chairside support during oral health assessment procedures

Overview

This standard is about providing chairside support during oral health assessment procedures. This involves preparing equipment, instruments, materials and medicaments required for assessment. This includes providing close support during assessments of individuals through recording and charting information obtained from examinations of the head, neck, teeth, periodontium and soft tissue, and monitoring individuals during procedures to identify complications, and taking necessary actions. Dental procedures may be carried out in general dental practices, public dental services, hospital settings, domiciliary or other non-standard environments. Users of this standard will need to ensure their practice reflects up to date information and policies.

Knowledge and Understanding

1. Different types and functions of dental record and charts used, including personal details, images and study models for assessment and treatment planning
2. Information required for a medical history, and implications that relevant systemic diseases and medical conditions have on oral health and dental treatment
3. Health risks of prescribed, non-prescribed and recreational drug use and misuse on oral and general health and how to provide appropriate advice and support including signposting and referral
4. The purpose of oral health assessment and methods of communicating this appropriately to individuals
5. The anatomy, structure and function of teeth and periodontium
6. The function and position of salivary glands
7. The function and position of muscles of mastication and facial expression
8. Conditions which may affect facial movements
9. Signs and symptoms of oral cancer and the importance of raising concerns and early referrals
10. Oral conditions and methods for their diagnosis, prevention and management
11. Diagnosis and management of diseases of facial bones, oral mucosa, other soft tissues, salivary glands and joints
12. Standard Infection Control Precautions and how to apply these
13. Equipment, instruments, materials and medicaments required for full clinical assessments of the head, neck and mouth
14. Methods of measuring pulp vitality and their relative merits
15. Main classes of drugs which are used in dentistry and reasons for their use, including analgesics, antibiotics, sedatives, hypnotics, emergency drugs, drugs which reverse action of other drugs
16. How to monitor and support individuals, and manage anxiety
17. Methods of monitoring the physical characteristics of individuals and signs and symptoms to be aware of to recognise complications and potential emergencies
18. How to identify medical emergencies and provide appropriate support both for individuals and to those providing immediate emergency management
19. How to recognise signs of injury, abuse or neglect and how to raise concerns with appropriate persons and agencies
20. Terminology and charting notation, charting symbols for tooth surfaces, cavities and particular tooth problems related to type of dental charts being used
21. Reasons for taking images and study models for treatment planning and monitoring of individuals
22. Measurement, records and classifications associated with malocclusion records
23. Types and purposes of orthodontic treatment available
24. The importance of taking account of individuals preferences, needs and values during communication
25. Principles of candour and effective complaint handling and how to apply these
26. Different methods of waste disposal and how to apply these
27. The importance of current data protection regulations and how to apply these
28. Why it is important to update documentation and store individuals records safely and securely
29. The importance of meeting individuals needs including issues relating to dignity, confidentiality, and privacy

Performance Criteria

1. Retrieve and make available individuals records to identify planned treatments in accordance with workplace procedures
2. Apply Standard Infection Control Precautions taking other appropriate health and safety measures throughout chairside support in accordance with workplace procedures
3. Select, offer and prepare correct equipment, instruments, materials and medicaments required for full clinical assessments of head, neck and mouth
4. Monitor individuals during procedures to identify complications, taking necessary actions in accordance with workplace procedures and within your own scope of practice
5. Record assessments communicated by other team members accurately in accordance with workplace procedures
6. Arrange further assessments and treatments as prescribed by the clinical operator and in accordance with workplace procedures
7. Dispose of waste in accordance with all relevant legislation, guidelines, and workplace procedures
8. Complete and store all documentation in accordance with relevant legislation, guidelines, and workplace procedures

Additional Information

This National Occupational Standard was developed by Skills for Health. Final version approved February 2025.