- The Community Oral Health Officer (COHO) provides patient-centred oral health services, preventive care and community education. The role supports early identification of oral health problems, appropriate treatment and timely referral, while maintaining accurate clinical records and a safe care environment. All clinical activities must remain within the officer's current authorised scope of practice, demonstrated competence and facility protocols.
- Improve access to safe and timely oral healthcare.
- Promote oral hygiene and prevent avoidable oral diseases through patient and community education.
- Identify oral health needs and coordinate appropriate treatment, referral and follow-up.
- Maintain high standards of patient safety, clinical documentation and service delivery.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Patient Assessment and Oral Healthcare
- Obtain relevant medical and dental histories, conduct oral examinations and document findings.
- Develop and explain care plans, obtain informed consent and deliver permitted preventive and basic clinical care within the authorised COHO scope.
- Recognise conditions requiring dental officer or specialist attention and arrange timely referral.
- Provide clear aftercare instructions and review patients to assess progress and address concerns.
Preventive Care and Patient Education
- Educate patients on toothbrushing, oral hygiene, diet and risk factors affecting oral health.
- Provide individual and group counselling suited to patients' age, health needs and understanding.
- Support preventive oral health activities and encourage regular reviews and early care seeking.
Community Outreach and Health Promotion
- Support planning and delivery of oral health education and screening activities in schools and community settings.
- Work with community health teams to identify underserved groups and improve referral uptake.
- Record outreach participation, findings and follow-up needs, and report service gaps.
Infection Prevention and Clinical Safety
- Follow hand hygiene, protective equipment, instrument decontamination and sterilisation procedures.
- Ensure safe handling of sharps and healthcare waste and maintain a clean treatment environment.
- Check equipment readiness, report faults and monitor essential supplies and expiry dates.
- Recognise clinical emergencies, provide first response within training and activate the facility's emergency pathway.
Documentation and Reporting
- Maintain complete, accurate and confidential patient records, including consent, treatment and referrals.
- Prepare service reports covering attendance, care provided, outreach and follow-up outcomes.
- Protect patient information and use approved systems for record keeping and communication.
Team Coordination and Service Improvement
- Coordinate patient care with dental officers, nursing staff and other clinical teams.
- Participate in clinical reviews, audits and continuing professional development.
- Escalate incidents and patient concerns promptly and contribute to improvements in care quality.
- 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) and a valid annual practising licence.
- Completion of applicable internship and registration requirements.
- Demonstrated practical competence in oral health assessment, preventive care, infection prevention and clinical documentation.
- 2 - 3 years of relevant post-registration experience in a dental clinic, hospital or community oral health programme.
- Clinical judgement and safe practice: assess oral health needs, recognise limitations and refer promptly.
- Patient-centred care: demonstrate empathy, obtain informed consent and explain care clearly.
- Quality and safety: apply infection prevention standards and maintain accurate clinical records.
- Communication and teamwork: coordinate care and communicate effectively with patients and clinical teams.
- Professional integrity: uphold ethical standards, accountability and patient confidentiality.
- Organisation and adaptability: prioritise patient needs and manage competing demands effectively.
- Community health promotion: deliver practical oral health education and support preventive care.