NEBDN National Certificate in Fluoride Varnish Application

Course Structure

Course Summary

•  Format: online, self-paced, with in-clinic fluoride varnish application appointments under supervision
•  Average completion time: 5 months
•  Number of Learning Units: 9
•  CPD Hours: 15 hours
•  Guided Learning Hours: Average of 40 hours (depending on the learner’s speed)

Course Assessments

•  Unit Quiz: One multiple choice quiz per unit
•  Assessments: Record of Competence – see information below

Support 

•  Optional drop-in support session classes available.
•  One-to-one tutor support is easily accessible by email, telephone, or Zoom.

Record of Competence (RoC)

To achieve a certificate in Fluoride Varnish Application, you are required to complete a work-based RoC under the supervision of a dentist, hygienist, therapist or fluoride varnish qualified dental nurse. You must take a minimum of 3 months to complete this RoC. There are two sections to the RoC:

Practical Competence Assessment Sheets (PCAS)

PCAS are observed appointments in which you will apply fluoride varnish and provide some basic oral health advice tailored to your patients’ needs.

You are required to complete a total of 15 PCAS to the following requirements:

Patient group 3–10 years 

• 3 PCAS on Fluoride Application
• 1 PCAS on Oral Health Advice

Patient group 11–15 years

• 3 PCAS on Fluoride Application
• 1 PCAS on Oral Health Advice

Patient group 16 years and over

• 3 PCAS on Fluoride Application
• 1 PCAS on Oral Health Advice

You must also complete a further 3 PCAS on Fluoride Application for any of the patient groups.

Supplementary Outcomes

There are 11 Supplementary Outcomes in the RoC. These consist of different questions relating to the use of fluoride in dentistry, along with a demonstration of the student’s ability to reflect and develop their knowledge and skills.

The basic information required to complete these Supplementary Outcomes can be found in the course material, but it is expected that students will undertake further reading and research in order to gain a full understanding of the topics and to meet the marking criteria as set by the NEBDN.

Guidance as to when to complete each Supplementary Outcome is provided at the end of each of the relevant units.

Examination

There is no final examination required for this course, although at the end of each unit there is a multiple-choice quiz which must be passed as part of the course requirements.

Modules/Units

Module 1: Introduction to Oral Health Education and the Delivering Better Oral Health Toolkit 

• Unit 1: Essentials of oral health education
• Unit 2: Prevention of periodontal disease and oral cancer; smoking and alcohol cessation
• Unit 3: Diet and non-carious tooth surface loss

Module 2: Caries, Dentine Hypersensitivity and Fluoride

• Unit 1: Dental Diseases and Fluoride
• Unit 2: Oral Health Promotion and Fluoride

Module 3: Fluoride Preparations and the Safe Use of Fluoride in Dentistry

• Unit 1: Fluoride preparations and Patient Safety
• Unit 2: Fluoride Varnish Application Procedure

Module 4: Patient Management Skills

• Unit 1: Patient Communication and the Fluoride Debate
• Unit 2: Patient Groups

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