Unit 311 Scientific and Practical Information to Support the Patient’s Oral and Physical Health Assignment Brief 2026

City & Guilds Level 3 Extended Diploma in Dental Nursing

Unit 311 Assignment Brief

Learning Outcome

The learner will:

1. Understand the reasons for providing patients with oral health information in response to promotional campaigns.

Assessment Criteria

The learner can:

1.1 Explain the reasons for providing patients with oral health information.

1.2 Explain methods for delivering oral health messages in line with ethical responsibilities.

1.3 Identify recognised national oral health campaigns and describe how they can be implemented to a target audience.

Range

(AC1.1) Reasons

a) Regional, cultural and social trends, including variations in oral health in the UK

b) Restricted access to oral healthcare

c) National initiatives/guidelines (eg Public Health England / Department of Health / National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE))

d) Standardising patient information

(AC1.3) Target audience

a) Patients in the dental setting

b) Dental care professionals

c) Other healthcare professionals

Learning Outcome

The learner will:

2. Understand the scientific basis of oral health.

Assessment Criteria

The learner can:

2.1 Explain the composition and development of plaque.

2.2 Describe the structure and function of the periodontium.

2.3 Explain the causes and progression of oral disease.

2.4 Identify the signs and symptoms of gingival inflammation.

2.5 Summarise the differences between gingivitis and periodontitis.

2.6 Describe the terms ‘false pocket’ and ‘true pocket’.

2.7 Describe the causes of dental caries.

2.8 Describe the progression, signs and symptoms of dental caries from demineralisation to a pulpal exposure.

2.9 Describe how the following influence dental caries:

a) pits and fissures

b) proximal surfaces

c) smooth surfaces

d) white spot lesion

e) remineralisation (arrested caries)

f) gum recession.

2.10 Describe the causes of non-carious tooth surface loss.

Range

(AC2.1) Development of plaque

a) pellicle

b) toxins/acids

c) calcification

(AC2.3) Oral disease

a) gingivitis

b) periodontal disease

c) acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG)

(AC2.10) Causes

a) erosion

b) abrasion

c) attrition

Learning Outcome

The learner will:

3. Understand factors that influence oral and general health.

Assessment Criteria

The learner can:

3.1 Describe the principles of preventative oral care when combating:

a) caries

b) periodontal disease

c) non-carious tooth surface loss (erosion / abrasion / attrition).

3.2 Explain the impact of diet on oral health.

3.3 Explain the impact of diet on physical health.

3.4 Explain how medical history affects a patient’s oral health.

3.5 Explain how social history affects a patient’s oral health.

3.6 Explain how lifestyle affects a patient’s oral health.

3.7 Describe pre-malignant and malignant lesions.

3.8 Describe how pre-malignant and malignant lesions are:

a) diagnosed

b) referred

c) managed.

Range

(AC3.2) Impact of diet on oral health

a) Sugars: intrinsic, extrinsic, hidden

b) Sugars: frequency – Stephan’s curve

c) Acidic drinks eg. carbonated / non-carbonated

d) Acidic foods eg. vinegar / citrus fruits

(AC3.3) Impact of diet on physical health

a) Portion size

b) Nutritional balance

c) Sugar consumption

(AC3.4) Medical history

a) Medication (include medicines containing sugar)

b) Medical conditions

i. GORD (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease)

ii. Pregnancy

iii. Eating disorders

iv. Xerostomia

• Medication

• Head and neck radiation therapy following oral cancer

(AC3.5) Social history

a) Family background

b) Culture

c) Socio-economic factors

(AC3.6) Lifestyle

a) Environmental issues (include fluoridated water supply)

b) Habits and recreational activities (include mouthguard)

c) Sugar-free chewing gum

d) Alcohol use

e) Tobacco use

f) Betel nut / pan habit

g) Exposure to ultra-violet radiation

(AC3.7) Lesions

a) Lichen planus

b) Leukoplakia

c) Erythroplakia

d) Non-healing ulcer

e) Squamous cell carcinoma

Learning Outcome

The learner will:

4. Understand the prevention and management of oral diseases.

Assessment Criteria

The learner can:

4.1 Explain oral hygiene techniques and aids used to prevent oral disease.

4.2 Explain methods of administering fluoride both systemically and topically.

4.3 Explain the advantages and disadvantages of administering fluoride (topically / systemically including overdose / fluorosis.)

4.4 Describe enamel hypoplasia.

4.5 Explain how to clean and care for prostheses.

4.6 Explain post-operative advice given to patients who have received a fixed or removable orthodontic appliance.

Range

(AC4.1) Oral hygiene techniques and aids

a) Toothbrushing

b) Use of appropriate toothpastes according to patient’s needs

i. ‘over the counter’ toothpastes

ii. Prescription only medicines

c) Interdental cleaning aids

d) Disclosing agents

e) Mouthwashes

i. Fluoride

ii. Antibacterial

(AC4.2) Fluoride

a) Professionally applied

i. Varnish

ii. Full-mouth gels

b) Water supply

c) Tablets

(AC4.5) Prostheses

a) Dentures

i. Full

ii. Partial (acrylic, cobalt-chrome)

b) Bridges

c) Implants

(AC4.6) Post-operative advice

a) Care and maintenance of

i. Removable appliance

ii. Fixed appliance

b) Caries risk

Learning Outcome

The learner will:

5. Be able to communicate with patients to deliver standardised oral health information.

Assessment Criteria

The learner can:

5.1 Plan to provide information to a patient on means of developing their skills, knowledge and behaviours for the prevention of oral disease.

5.2 Check the identity of the patient, introduce themselves and the purpose of the visit.

5.3 Provide information to the patient that is accurate, consistent, and in line with organisational/evidence-based guidelines, as set out in their treatment plan.

5.4 Use a range of resources to assist with the delivery of the oral health information.

5.5 Give the patient the opportunity to discuss their problems, treatment plan and ask questions.

5.6 Interact with and motivate the patient according to their needs.

Range

(AC5.4) Resources

a) Models / demonstration pieces

b) Oral hygiene aids

c) Visual aids

d) Leaflets

e) Media educational tools

(AC5.4) Information:

a) to address the problems the patient is experiencing.

b) to explain the consequences if the problems are not addressed.

Unit 311 Scientific and practical information to support the patient’s oral and physical health Supporting Information

Evidence Requirements

Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 4 – Centres may use professional discussion, assessor devised questions, expert witness testimonies, outcomes of research-based activities, assignments and reflective accounts.

Learning Outcome 5 – minimum of one simulation* to cover this learning outcome. The role of the patient must not be played by the assessor. The simulated scenario should cover one of the following patient types:

• children / young people
• adults
• seniors
• those with additional individual needs (capacity)

*The primary method of assessment must be simulation. Assessment criteria not sufficiently covered during the simulation can be assessed by an appropriate secondary method.

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