As the UK’s leading dental apprenticeships and training provider, we’ve seen first-hand how transformative it can be to train an Oral Health Practitioner within your dental team. Read on to discover the financial, retention and community benefits of enrolling a member of your dental team on to Oral Health Practitioner training.
The benefits of having an Oral Health Practitioner in your practice
- Protect your Dentist’s, Dental Hygienists ’ and Dental Therapist’s time
Oral Health Practitioners work within a patient’s mouth. Alongside delivering oral health education, they are trained to deliver a range of preventative treatments such as fluoride application, plaque indices and intra oral scanning - which frees up your wider team of Dentists, Dental Hygienists and Therapists to focus on more complex cases. This leads to greater efficiency without compromising the patient experience. - Fund their time through Flexible Commissioning
Did you know that qualified Oral Health Practitioners can be paid for the work that they deliver in the community through Flexible Commissioning, making them a cost effective and impactful addition to the team? - Real ROI through community outreach
Oral Health Practitioner’s don’t just work within your practice - they go out into the community, educating groups in schools, care homes, community centre groups and more. Their outreach work often results in referrals of new patients who require treatment, helping to grow your patient base organically. - Tackle Dental Nurse retention
Career progression is key to retaining talented Dental Nurses. By offering them the opportunity to upskill via the Level 4 Oral Health Practitioner Apprenticeship, you’re investing in their future - and your business. Apprentices train alongside their current role, so there’s no disruption to your team.
The benefits of the apprenticeship itself
Whether you hire a new apprentice into your practice or enrol an existing team member, the apprenticeship model brings significant advantages:
- Save on National Insurance Contributions(NIC)
With Employers’ NIC now at 15%, the exemption for apprentices under 25 is a welcome relief. That’s a 15% saving on the annual salary of each apprentice - a smart way to grow your team while reducing costs. - Government-funded training
Tempdent’s apprenticeships are supported by government funding, making them incredibly cost-effective. Here’s how it breaks down for the Level 4 Oral Health Practitioner Apprenticeship:
- Levy-paying employers (annual payroll over £3 million):
- Full £8,000 course fee funded via your apprenticeship levy pot.
- If levy funds are used up, co-investment applies: 95% government-funded, 5% employer contribution (just £400).
- Non-levy paying employers (SMEs - annual payroll under £3 million):
- Apprentices aged 16–21: Fully government funded - no cost to your business.
- Apprentices aged 22+: 5% employer contribution (just £400), 95% government-funded.
- £1,000 Government incentive
For every apprentice you enrol, your practice receives a £1,000 incentive - a welcome boost to support onboarding and development.
Final thoughts
Since we launched the Level 4 Oral Health Practitioner Apprenticeship in September 2024, hundreds of dental practices across the UK have enrolled team members and are already seeing the benefits - from improved patient care to stronger team retention and cost savings.
Bupa Dental Care UK has emerged as a true trailblazer for this apprenticeship, enrolling apprentices nationwide and championing the role of Oral Health Practitioners within their practices. Their commitment to upskilling their workforce is setting a new standard in dental care.
Hear what Bupa has to say about the apprenticeship here
Find out more or enrol an apprentice
View the apprenticeship here.
The next intake for the Level 4 Oral Health Practitioner apprenticeship is January 2026 and spaces are limited. To express your interest in this apprenticeship, please complete this short form. Otherwise, contact our team and we will be able to answer any questions you may have.
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