Training

The Childsmile training programme

Childsmile training is delivered by NHS Education Scotland (NES). Dental Nurses and DHSWs (Dental Health Support Workers) are required to undertake the NES Childsmile training course.

Full details of when courses are available, course content, how to apply and pre-course requirements can be found on the NES website (external link). Please note, applications to the course must come from the participants themselves.

The NES Childsmile training course covers:

  • Dental public health
  • Caries and fluoride
  • Oral soft and hard tissue
  • Application of fluoride
  • Health/safety and infection control
  • Breastfeeding/weaning and early nutrition
  • Child protection
  • Working with children in the clinical/community setting
  • Health behaviour change and effective communication
  • The social and medical model of health
  • Inequalities and equitable services in health
  • Action planning a Childsmile oral health promotion session

Childsmile training is delivered by NES Dental Nurses and DHSWs are required to undertake the Childsmile training course, organised by NES.

Childsmile Coordinators must keep NES fully informed of the recruitment process and potential numbers of participants requiring training over forthcoming periods in order that sufficient courses are available.

NES should be advised by Coordinators in advance of any large recruitment drives planned and should be informed of potential numbers for the next available training course.

Applications to the course must come from the participant DHSW or dental nurses.

NES have indicated that it is advantageous for participants to have a level of understanding of the programme before attending the Childsmile course. NES also recommends workplace shadowing.

Additional requirements

As well as undertaking the NES Childsmile training course, personal training and development requirements need to be idenitified and agreed locally for all staff.

Individual needs will depend on whether:

  • The participant is employed by an independent practice or a health board
  • They will be working solely in practice, nursery/school or both
  • They have relevant experience

Prospective and existing dental health support workers should also be supported, within their own health board, to ensure they meet the requirements of the Mandatory Induction Standards and the Healthcare Support Worker Code of Conduct. These requirements should be monitored by the line manager through the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) processes.

The Chief Executive's Letter (CEL) 23 (2010) provides background details about the creation of the Mandatory Induction Standards.

In addition to a number of other standards, dental health support workers must identify their own needs in relation to developing their knowledge and practice, and reviewing and improving their working practice as required (e.g. shadowing home visiting).

The information below outlines examples of the sort of personal and professional development needs identified by dental health support workers in partnership with their managers. This list is illustrative and development needs should be identified and agreed in a partnership between the staff member and their manager.

Additional training

Mandatory

  • Hand washing
  • Basic life support
  • Manual handling
  • Infection control
  • Fire safety

Useful

  • Violence and aggression
  • Child protection
  • Weaning and nutrition
  • Breastfeeding
  • Domestic abuse
  • Equality and diversity
  • Suicide brief intervention
  • Community development
  • Post-natal depression
  • Smoking cessation
  • Substance misuse

Local NHS policies and procedures

  • Lone working policy
  • Record keeping policy
  • Travel and timesheet procedures
  • Child protection guidelines
  • Code of conduct for Health Care Support Workers – NHS Scotland

Shadowing opportunities for

  • Childsmile staff
  • Extended Duty Dental Nurses (EDDNs)
  • Dental Health Support Workers (DHSW): Nursery/School and Practice
  • Toothbrushing staff
  • Dentists
  • Dental nurses
  • Dental receptionist
  • Public health nursing teams
  • Home visits, clinics and groups
  • Other public health groups and community staff
  • Speech therapists
  • Health promotion staff
  • School nurses

Childsmile Coordinators must keep NES fully informed of the recruitment process and potential numbers of participants requiring training over forthcoming periods in order that sufficient courses are available.