Developing the prevention agenda and career pathways for dental nurses

Published 11/02/2026

Dental nurses play a pivotal role in the provision of safe, high‑quality dental care across Wales. As services face increasing demand, workforce pressures and rising patient complexity, supporting a confident, skilled and valued dental nursing workforce is central to delivering sustainable care. HEIW’s exploration of the dental nursing training landscape, as part of the Dental Strategic Workforce Plan, has identified workforce retention as a key priority.

HEIW’s recommendations are designed to strengthen retention, develop clear career pathways and embed prevention as a core part of the role. This aligns with wider Welsh Government policy frameworks and the national direction of travel for dental services.

The aim is to support a stronger whole‑team approach to patient care, supporting good oral health and prevention across Wales, while enhancing multidisciplinary working within dental teams.

Dental nurses playing a pivotal role in the prevention agenda

HEIW’s Oral Health Education programme, launched in 2022, has now supported three cohorts and enabled 23 dental nurses to qualify as Oral Health Educators. The programme directly improves patients’ oral health by equipping dental nurses to deliver prevention‑focused education, while advancing their career pathways and increasing their contribution to patient‑centred care.

With prevention a national priority and central to contract reform, supporting patients to maintain their oral health remains a critical part of delivering effective dental care. In Wales, dental contract reform is being taken forward with Welsh Government, sharpening the focus on prevention and effective skill‑mix across teams. HEIW will build on the existing Oral Health Education programme by incorporating established prevention training such as Making Prevention Work in Practice (MPWiP) and clinical competencies for measuring plaque and bleeding indices. This also includes hands‑on skills such as applying fluoride varnish and monitoring for early signs of disease.

This revised modular programme will offer a modern, high‑quality and sustainable prevention training model. It expands extended‑duties opportunities, enhances preventative skills and leadership within roles, and contributes to improved job satisfaction, improved patient support and stronger workforce retention.

A longer‑term vision

HEIW’s long‑term vision is for every dental practice in Wales to have an Oral Health Champion - a dental nurse who leads, promotes and embeds prevention‑focused, evidence‑based oral health education within the team and across patient care. The role aims to:

• Lead and strengthen whole‑team prevention approaches and evidence‑based oral health education
• Play an active role in a national Oral Health Champion network to share learning, drive improvement and build leadership capability

Evidence of impact and what we need to understand better

• 23 dental nurses have completed the programme to date
• Two nurses from the latest cohort have progressed into Oral Health Educator roles within Designed to Smile (D2S) and Gwen am Byth (GAB), the national oral health programmes for children and older people in Wales
• Several others have established dental nurse‑led clinics delivering oral health education as directed by a dentist in community and general dental service settings

As this work continues to grow, more consistent and high quality oral health education will help patients maintain and manage their oral health more effectively.

As the programme expands, HEIW will work with partners and dental teams to better understand:

• how enhanced skills influence patient experience and prevention outcomes
• how nurse‑led activity supports team‑based models of care and service resilience
• what helps dental nurses apply extended duties across different settings
• how the programme can evolve to ensure a sustainable, prevention‑ready workforce for the future

Voices from the sector

Kirstie Moons, Postgraduate Dental Dean, HEIW
“I am delighted that HEIW is able to develop and provide this important and timely training to the workforce. This aligns closely with the changes in dental contract reform, and aspirations to effectively utilise skill mix in supporting patients to manage their oral health. The development of these roles will support multidisciplinary working, embedding prevention within routine dental care, and supporting patient self‑care.”

Nicola Stockford, Dental Hygiene, Therapy and Prevention Lead, HEIW

“We are bringing Oral Health Education and Making Prevention Work in Practice together into a single, integrated programme - getting education to patients faster and strengthening the dental nurse role. The development of an Oral Health Champion role will support effective skill utilisation and leadership, ensuring prevention messages delivered to teams and patients are aligned, accurate and up to date.”

Learner quotes
“This programme has opened doors for me professionally. I’m proud to be part of a growing community of oral health educators in Wales.”- Dental Nurse, Newport

“Having access to expert speakers made the learning experience so engaging. It wasn’t just theory - it was real, practical knowledge I use every day.” - Dental Nurse, Cardiff

Looking ahead - building a stronger dental workforce for Wales

By modernising the training offer for dental nurses, HEIW and partners are helping to strengthen a future‑focused, prevention‑led dental workforce for Wales. This work supports improved patient access, greater service resilience and a workforce equipped for the challenges ahead.

HEIW will continue collaborating closely with dental teams, education providers and service partners to refine and implement these recommendations, drawing on real‑world insights to support the development of a confident, capable dental nursing workforce for the future.

To find out more about the programme or upcoming opportunities, dental teams can contact the HEIW Dental Workforce team at HEIW.DentalNurseTraining@wales.nhs.uk