Undertake the application of fluoride varnish

This standard is about applying fluoride varnish either on prescription from a dentist or direct as part of a structured dental health programme.

This standard is applicable to Dentists, Dental Nurses, Dental Hygienists, Dental Therapists and Orthodontic Therapists.

Dental procedures may be carried out in general dental practices, public dental services, hospital settings, community dental services, domiciliary or other non-standard environments including oral health improvement programme 

Dentists, Dental Nurses, Dental Hygienists, Dental Therapists and Orthodontic Therapists need to be appropriately trained, competent and indemnified to carry out this function.

Users of this standard will need to ensure their practice reflects up to date information, policies and legislation.

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1. Retrieve and make available an individual’s records and review the prescription to identify planned treatments in accordance with workplace procedures
2. Apply standard infection control precautions taking other health and safety measures throughout in accordance with workplace procedures.
3. Confirm identity and obtain valid, informed consent from individuals in accordance with professional standards and workplace procedures.
4. Communicate with individuals in ways that meet their needs and demonstrate equality, respect and dignity
5. Provide advice, information and support to individuals in ways that are consistent with other members of the oral health care team and within your scope of practice
6. Confirm an individual’s medical history checking for any known allergies.
7. Select and prepare the correct equipment, instruments, materials, and medicaments required to apply a fluoride varnish
8. Explain the procedure clearly to the individual and advise on how to participate throughout it in a way that will reduce any anxiety
9. Assess the oral cavity to ensure appropriate for the application of fluoride varnish, raising any concerns that prevents proceeding with the procedure
10. Maintain a dry field and manage moisture control through the use of appropriate methods
11. Apply fluoride varnish, ensuring coverage of all relevant tooth surfaces, including interproximal areas, in accordance with the prescription and workplace procedures
12. Monitor individuals during the procedure to identify any complications, taking necessary actions in accordance with workplace procedures and within your own scope of practice
13. Remove any moisture control materials used to maintain a dry field
14. Dispose of waste in accordance with relevant legislation, guidance and workplace procedures
15. Provide post operative instructions in accordance with the dental procedure advising individuals how to access further oral health advice
16. Complete and store all documentation in accordance with relevant legislation, guidelines, and workplace procedures.

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1. Scope and limitations of your competence, responsibilities and accountability within your job role and the importance of working to prescription
2. Safeguarding requirements within your job role
3. Standard infection control precautions and safe working practices and how to apply these.
4. Characteristics of healthy oral tissues and the importance oral health in systemic wellbeing, including links to nutrition and general health
5. The causes of dental caries
6. The ways in which dental caries can be prevented and minimised including effective oral hygiene techniques.
7. Different sources, types and the optimum levels of fluoride in preventing dental caries.
8. The different dosage levels of fluoride varnish required for different individual age groups and dentition, in accordance with the prescription and the materials used.
9. The techniques used for the application of fluoride in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
10. The principles, practice and procedures associated with informed consent
11. How to confirm an individual’s medical history checking for any known allergies in accordance with workplace procedures.
12. The importance of taking account of an individual’s preferences, needs and values during communication
13. Barriers to effective communication and how to overcome these
14. The importance of appropriate posture when delivering clinical care to an individual.
15. Contra indications and complications that may occur, including an individual’s anxiety, foreign body obstruction, allergies, anatomical challenges, moisture control and equipment failure and how to respond.
16. How to monitor and support individuals, and manage anxiety and anatomical challenges
17. How to provide post operative instructions following the application of fluoride varnish to individuals and how to access further oral health advice
18. The importance of safe storage and handling of fluoride varnish
19. The different methods of waste disposal and how to apply these
20. The importance of maintaining accurate, up to date documentation and storage of individual records safely and securely

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1

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2031

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Current

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Original

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Skills for Health

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SFHOH38

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Health Professionals, Nursing and Subjects and Vocations Allied to Medicine, Dental Nurse

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3218

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Apply; Fluoride; Varnish

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