Childsmile is a National Public Health initiative to improve the oral health of young children and bridge the gap in oral health inequalities. The training course incorporates a community development approach throughout all the modules and promotes an ethos of working in partnership with families. N.B. those undertaking the Childsmile training course are likely to be dental nurses, dental health support workers or early years workers from health, social care and third sector organisations.
If you are interested in completing this course, please e-mail your interest to childsmile@nes.scot.nhs.uk
This is a self-directed blended learning course delivered by NHS Education for Scotland Reducing Inequalities Tutors using digitally enhanced learning methods to meet the outcomes. You will require access to the internet, computer with webcam and audio functions.
There are compulsory elements to complete:
Pre-course reading or e-learning to complete.
Attendance at six online sessions using Microsoft TEAMS platform.
Completion of open book assignments, online formative assessment, and professional discussion.
Work placed learning activity with submission of reflective writing material.
Completion of summative assessment in the form of completing portfolio of evidence to be submitted to childsmile@nes.scot.nhs.uk 12 weeks from the first day of starting the course. Learning guide handbook will be provided and ongoing tutor support where necessary.
On completion of all elements, you will receive a certificate and 45 hours verifiable CPD and a SCQF Level 7 qualification for theory element or Level 8 for theory and practical application of fluoride varnish element from NES and Scottish Qualification Association (SQA).
The general aim of the module is to give learners an overview of the training, introducing them to the Childsmile programme and detailing the role data collection has in matching services to needs of the population. To provide an insight into the Health & Safety at work act (1974), detailing the employer and employee responsibilities. There is a focus on adhering to professional standards when providing person centred care.
Learning Outcomes:
Dental Public Health and data collection
Explore the need for a variety of data collection and how it is used to identify health inequalities across Scotland.
Health and Safety and Infection Control
Explain the purpose of the Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) and discuss employer and employee responsibility in adhering to this and identify infection control responsibilities.
Professionalism & Ethics
Summarise the relevance of adhering to professional standards when providing person centred care.
This module aims to focus on dental disease and poor general health, with a preventative approach at the forefront of improving health. The importance of risk assessing prior to the application of fluoride varnish onto children’s teeth is highlighted. Oral soft and hard tissue conditions are addressed prior to applying fluoride varnish, as are the competencies for successful fluoride application.
Learning Outcomes:
Key oral health messages
Recognise the factors involved in the development of caries and erosion.
Be able to risk assess and action plan appropriate interventions.
Provide details of preventative oral health information for families, in line with current guidance and legislation.
Toothbrushing & Fluoride
Describe the signs, symptoms and action to be taken if an oral soft & hard tissue condition is identified.
Detail the importance of carrying out a risk assessment prior to applying fluoride varnish.
Demonstrate knowledge and skills of toothbrushing techniques and the role of fluoride in preventing caries.
Application of fluoride varnish in-person training
Identify the areas of competency required in the Direct Observation of Practice (DOP) for the application of fluoride varnish (DN only).
The overall aim of this module is to provide an insight into the importance of good nutrition from an early age. Current nutritional guidelines are addressed, as well as the difficulties parents may face when trying to give children a healthy balanced diet.
Learning Outcomes:
Childhood nutrition from birth to five
Breastfeeding
Define the benefits of breastfeeding and the links with good oral health.
Weaning and pre 5 nutrition
Summarise the nutritional requirements for an infant through to a 5-year-old child.
Recognise some of the difficulties parents may encounter in providing children with a healthy balanced diet.
Discuss the Scottish Government’s policy and agenda in relation to children’s health.
The aim of this module is to introduce learners to Child Protection procedures, the current legislation and the role of staff in sharing concerns. The categories of child abuse are summarised as is the concept of child wellbeing.
Learning Outcomes:
Supporting child wellbeing
Define child protection policy context and the role of staff in sharing concerns.
Recognise the different types of child abuse and how they might be spotted.
Interpret best practice in relation to meeting the specific oral health needs of children and the associated links with GIRFEC and the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.
Identify child wellbeing and how to signpost families to appropriate support services.
Working with children in the clinical or community setting
Describe early childhood development and ways of working with families to manage dental care appropriate to each stage.
This module aims to give learners an insight into the different tools that may assist them in supporting families in health behaviour change and help overcome any difficulties they may encounter. The medical and social model of health are compared. The advantages of equitable health services are introduced as a means to bridging the gap in health inequalities.
Learning Outcomes:
Behaviour change
Identify how the use of ‘Compassionate Connections’ and ‘Motivational Interviewing’ may assist in engaging families with health behaviour change.
Explain how a range of health behaviour change models can be utilised in supporting families with making lifestyle changes.
Recognise the need to signpost families to the relevant services to support their health and wellbeing.
Health inequalities & a community development approach
Discuss the impact of poverty on family’s health and wellbeing, including oral health.
Describe the difference between the social and medical model of health and the concept of equitable services.
Recognise the need to signpost families to the relevant services to support their health and wellbeing.
This module aims to help participants consolidate learning from all aspects of the course, through engaging in various assessments, peer feedback and reflective practice activities.
Learning Outcomes:
Open book assignment, professional discussion, oral health session
Consolidate learning on the Childsmile training by completing an open book assignment, and engaging in a professional discussion.
Facilitate an oral health improvement session, engaging in a peer feedback activity to initiate reflective practice discussions for improved professional practice.