Oral Health Practitioner Apprenticeship

What will you learn?

This apprenticeship equips learners with the practical and professional skills required to deliver effective oral health interventions. You’ll gain a deep understanding of health improvement principles, behaviour change strategies, and how to adapt care to address health inequalities. The course also covers clinical and preventative practice, NHS Health Checks, and the ethical and legal responsibilities of the Oral Health Practitioner, preparing you to confidently support patients and communities in improving their overall wellbeing.

Course delivery

The Oral Health Practitioner apprenticeship is delivered through a flexible blended learning model, combining interactive online workshops, engaging e-learning content, and in-person practical training. Learners attend weekly online sessions and complete self-paced modules featuring videos, presentations, and quizzes to reinforce new knowledge.

Throughout the course, apprentices participate in four in-person Skills Labs held at purpose-built dental training facilities across the UK, where they develop hands-on competencies in areas such as:

• Patient positioning
• Plaque index recording
• Impression taking
• Intra-oral scanning
• Topical fluoride application
• Hygiene instruction
• Blood pressure and finger-prick testing
• Clinical photography

This approach ensures learners gain both the theoretical understanding and practical experience needed to succeed as Oral Health Practitioners.

Tutor bio

Hello, I’m Louise Clark, a Tutor Assessor here at Tempdent. As an Oral Health Practitioner Apprenticeship Tutor, I work closely with each apprentice to ensure you feel supported, confident, and fully prepared for success.

You’ll have regular one-to-one sessions tailored to your progress, plus interactive online group workshops where you can share experiences and strengthen your practical knowledge. In addition, this course includes four in-person Skills Labs, giving us the chance to meet face-to-face and spend a full day refining your hands-on clinical skills together.

My goal is to make sure you understand every aspect of the course and feel ready to apply your skills in practice.

This apprenticeship gives you everything you need to thrive in your role and I’ll be with you every step of the way!

Community education sessions

An Oral Health Practitioner (OHP) plays a key role in delivering community education sessions that promote better oral health and empower people to take control of their wellbeing. In these sessions, the OHP provides clear, practical guidance on effective brushing techniques, diet and lifestyle choices, and how oral health links to overall health. They tailor information to the needs of different groups; such as children, families, older adults, or vulnerable communities, using demonstrations, visual aids, and interactive activities to make learning engaging and accessible. By building confidence, raising awareness, and encouraging positive behaviour change, the OHP helps reduce health inequalities and supports healthier communities.

Apprenticeship Funding

This apprenticeship programme is supported by government funding, making it a cost-effective way to grow talent within your business.
Levy-paying employers (annual payroll over £3 million):

The full £9,000 course fee will be funded directly from your apprenticeship levy pot via your digital account.

If your levy funds are fully used, you can access co-investment, with the government covering 95% of the course cost and your business contributing just 5% (£450).

Non-Levy Paying Employers (SMEs) (annual payroll is under £3 million):

Apprentices aged 16–21 are fully government funded – no cost to your business.

Apprentices aged 22 and over require a 5% employer contribution (£450), while the government funds the remaining 95% (£8,550).