Community Oral Health Officer (COHO)

Role Overview

This community oral health role combines patient care with prevention-focused work, helping people maintain healthy teeth and gums through clinical services and education. The practitioner will apply sound infection-control practices and may contribute to outreach, school-based dental health, or mobile clinic services.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess patients’ oral health and provide care within the scope of community oral health practice.
• Deliver practical guidance on dental hygiene and ways to prevent common oral health problems.
• Follow infection-prevention and control procedures during patient care.
• Support community outreach activities that improve access to oral health services.
• Participate in school dental health programmes or mobile clinic services where required.
• Record patient information and service activity using relevant health information systems.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Community Oral Health from a recognised institution.
• Current registration and a valid practising licence from the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC).
• At least two years of experience after internship.
• Certificate in Basic Life Support (BLS).
• Strong clinical capability and knowledge of oral health, dental hygiene, and infection prevention and control.
• Computer skills, particularly with Health Management Information Systems.
• Experience in community outreach, school dental health programmes, or mobile dental clinics is an advantage.