PDA Dental Nursing: Delivering Oral Health Interventions SCQF level 8

Professional Development Awards (PDAs) extend or broaden professional or vocational skills and are linked to National Occupational Standards.

The PDA in Dental Nursing: Delivering Oral Health Interventions at SCQF level 8 is for registered dental nurses and is evidence that a successful candidate has the appropriate knowledge, experience and expertise to deliver oral health education and advice to support public dental health.

This qualification is available through colleges, training providers and some employers. It has been designed to be delivered as a taught course and will normally be available as a combination of workshops and self-directed study. It is one of a suite of qualifications for the oral health care sector.

The PDA in Dental Nursing: Delivering Oral Health Interventions at SCQF level 8 has been developed in partnership with educationalists from the dental sector.

It will help employers meet skills gaps and provide continuing professional development for staff, while learners will gain knowledge and skills needed for progression in the workplace.

The Unit-based structure aids timetable flexibility. Units can be delivered on a full-time or part-time basis.

This PDA provides progression routes to further study (see Progression).

The target audience is registered dental nurses who are seeking to extend their clinical duties within their professional scope of practice, as defined by the General Dental Council (GDC), and to contribute to their continued professional development.

This qualification is aimed at registered dental nurses working in a range of clinical settings who provide oral health information and advice to patients. All skills will be applied in line with the GDC Scope of Practice.

Access

Access to this PDA is at the discretion of the centre. Candidates should be registered with the GDC. Candidates undertaking this PDA must also be disclosed under the PVG scheme (2011) — standard or enhanced. 

The Units in the PDA are aligned with the National Occupational Standards for Dental Nursing.

Learners will have the opportunity to progress to the HND in Dental Nursing.

Centres with devolved authority for approval should use their own internal approval process.

Centres without devolved authority will have to come forward for approval and should contact SQA's Business Development Team for guidance.

Assessors and verifiers must be able to meet SQA's general requirements for technical/occupational competence as outlined in the Guide to Approval.

Each individual Unit specification gives detailed information on the Evidence Requirements and approaches to assessment for each Unit.

Each Unit is assessed separately although there are opportunities to integrate assessment.

Assessment will allow candidates to enhance their own practice. The use of reports and projects is crucial to this.

Group Award code: GH7548 (24 SCQF credit points)

The PDA in Dental Nursing: Delivering Oral Health Interventions at SCQF level 8 consists of two mandatory Units.

For further information on the structure and Units of this qualification, please refer to the Group Award Specification.

Support Materials