Community Oral Health Officer

Role Overview

The Community Oral Health Officer delivers safe, practical oral healthcare through patient assessments, preventive services, education and follow-up. The role also brings oral health support into schools and community settings, helping people access care earlier and ensuring that concerns beyond the officer’s authorised scope are referred promptly.

Key Responsibilities

• Take relevant medical and dental histories, examine patients’ oral health and record findings clearly.
• Explain care options, obtain informed consent and provide preventive and basic clinical services permitted by the officer’s authorised scope and demonstrated competence.
• Identify signs or conditions that need assessment by a dental officer or specialist, and coordinate referral and follow-up.
• Give patients practical guidance on oral hygiene, toothbrushing, diet and other factors that affect oral health; tailor counselling to individual needs and group audiences.
• Help organise and deliver oral health education and screening in schools and community settings, working with community health teams to reach underserved groups.
• Apply infection prevention procedures, including hand hygiene, protective equipment use, instrument processing, sterilisation and safe waste disposal.
• Check that treatment areas and equipment are ready for use, report faults, and monitor essential supplies and expiry dates.
• Maintain confidential records of assessments, consent, care, referrals and follow-up; prepare service reports and contribute to audits, clinical reviews and quality improvements.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Diploma in Community Oral Health from a recognised institution, or a recognised higher qualification in the same field.
• Registration with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), with a valid annual practising licence.
• Completion of applicable internship and registration requirements.
• Two to three years of relevant post-registration experience in a dental clinic, hospital or community oral health programme.
• Practical ability in oral health assessment, preventive care, infection prevention and clinical documentation.
• Sound clinical judgement, including awareness of professional limits and the ability to arrange timely referrals.
• Clear, empathetic communication with patients and effective coordination with dental, nursing and community health teams.
• Commitment to ethical practice, patient confidentiality, continuing professional development and safe, organised patient care.