Apprentice Dental Nurse

Summary

The apprenticeship in dental nursing is an 18-month government-funded course by City & Guilds, a Level 3 Extended Diploma. Alongside your learning, your job role within the practice will entail assisting dentists, sterilising & preparing equipment, reception duties and supporting patient experience.

Annual wage: £11,980.80 to £21,415.68 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Dental nurse (integrated) (level 3)
Hours: Monday to Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-4:15pm.
36 hours a week
Possible start date: Friday 10 January
Duration: 1 year 6 months
Positions available: 2

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

Provide efficient and reliable chair-side support for Practice Clinicians.

The day-to-day duties of a dental nurse can span across all areas of the practice and can include:

Reception including answering the phone and greeting patients
Dealing with patient queries
Taking payments
Booking appointments and follow-ups
Sterilising and preparing equipment for Dentists
Recording and dealing with patient records
Supporting patients’ wellbeing and dental experience
Cleaning dental areas including chairs
Managing stock of equipment and supplies
Any other duties to support the dentists and senior team to provide effective patient care

Where you’ll work

6 FRENTON CLOSE

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE

NE5 1EH

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

TEMP DENT DENTAL AGENCY LIMITED

Your training course

Dental nurse (integrated) (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents

Adhere to legal and ethical responsibilities in line with General Dental Council requirements
Take responsibility for the integrity of own actions and completed work, recognising the limits of your competence and experience
Comply with current best practice guidelines
Put patients’ interests first and act to protect them by working in a patient-centred way
Effectively manage own time and resources
Provide chair side support during dental procedures
Monitor, support and reassure patients throughout all aspects of their treatment, ensuring patient-centred care
Communicate appropriately, effectively and sensitively at all times and through all media
Respect patients’ dignity and choices and act without discrimination
Check that valid consent is obtained for all treatments and personal care delivery
Maintain patient confidentiality at all times
Work in the clinical environment in a safe and efficient manner
Select and prepare the correct equipment, instruments and materials
Carry out and record maintenance and testing of equipment in line with local policy, procedures and the scope of your own role
Manage and perform effective decontamination and infection control procedures complying with legislative, local and current best practice guidelines
Mix, handle, store and dispose of materials in line with manufacturers recommendations
Create and update accurate and current patient records, including social, medical and dental history, storing and archiving them securely and in line with legislation
Carry out processing of radiographs in line with local procedures and rules
Make effective decisions regarding the safety of patients when taking a radiograph
Deliver appropriate and current evidence-based oral and general health advice
Recognise and support action to deal with medical emergencies
Respond to medical emergencies and be competent in cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Take part in appraisal and ongoing review processes
Take part in continuous professional development activities
Reflect on how your daily practice complies with the General Dental Council requirements for continual improvement
Comply with personal development planning as specified by the General Dental Council
Participate in quality improvement activities as required
Be collaborative and work as part of the team
Adhere to legal and ethical responsibilities in line with General Dental Council requirements
Take responsibility for the integrity of own actions and completed work, recognising the limits of your competence and experience
Comply with current best practice guidelines
Put patients’ interests first and act to protect them by working in a patient-centred way
Effectively manage own time and resources
Provide chair side support during dental procedures
Monitor, support and reassure patients throughout all aspects of their treatment, ensuring patient-centred care
Communicate appropriately, effectively and sensitively at all times and through all media
Respect patients’ dignity and choices and act without discrimination
Check that valid consent is obtained for all treatments and personal care delivery
Maintain patient confidentiality at all times
Work in the clinical environment in a safe and efficient manner
Select and prepare the correct equipment, instruments and materials
Carry out and record maintenance and testing of equipment in line with local policy, procedures and the scope of your own role
Manage and perform effective decontamination and infection control procedures complying with legislative, local and current best practice guidelines
Mix, handle, store and dispose of materials in line with manufacturers recommendations
Create and update accurate and current patient records, including social, medical and dental history, storing and archiving them securely and in line with legislation
Carry out processing of radiographs in line with local procedures and rules
Make effective decisions regarding the safety of patients when taking a radiograph
Deliver appropriate and current evidence-based oral and general health advice
Recognise and support action to deal with medical emergencies
Respond to medical emergencies and be competent in cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Take part in appraisal and ongoing review processes
Take part in continuous professional development activities
Reflect on how your daily practice complies with the General Dental Council requirements for continual improvement
Comply with personal development planning as specified by the General Dental Council
Participate in quality improvement activities as required
Be collaborative and work as part of the team

Your training plan

A dental nursing apprenticeship is a structured training program that combines practical experience with classroom learning. It typically includes:

Qualifications: Participants work towards a Level 3 Dental Nurse Apprenticeship Standard and may need to achieve Functional Skills in English and maths
Training: Involves on-the-job training at a dental practice, alongside online study and weekly teaching sessions
Delivered nationwide through blended interactive E-Learning, enabling learners to access the course from anywhere in the UK.
Assessment: Includes an End Point Assessment (EPA) to evaluate competency
Career Path: Prepares apprentices for professional registration with the General Dental Council (GDC) as qualified dental nurses.
Overall, it provides a comprehensive pathway to a rewarding career in dental healthcare

More training information

Qualification: Level 3 Dental Nurse Apprenticeship Standard awarded City and Guilds
Assessment: End Point Assessment (EPA) after completion of your Portfolio
Functional Skills: English and/or maths (if needed)
Training Location: Dental Practice near you + Online Webinar
Qualification Approval: Integrated Level 3 Dental Nurse qualification (General Dental Council)
Delivery: Online study with weekly teaching sessions
Off-the-Job Training: Provided and paid for by your employer
Schedule: To be agreed upon; details coming soon

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English (grade 4/C)
Maths (grade 4/C)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Team working
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience

Other requirements

You will be required to be immunised against Hepatitis B. You will also need to pass a DBS check.

About this company

Angel Dental Care is an established NHS dental practice that also specialises in cosmetic dentistry and advanced tooth whitening treatments. Principals Dr Shakiela Hyder and Dr Alison Paxton have expanded the treatments available at the practice, offering a wide choice of treatments; including general NHS and preventative dentistry aimed at helping you keep your teeth and gums healthy and your breath fresh. The team are also highly skilled in cosmetic dentistry, offering the latest in veneers, Invisalign orthodontics, dental implants, teeth whitening and facial rejuvenation treatments to help you look and feel younger.

https://www.angeldentalcare.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

With experience, you may be able to move into jobs like team manager, team leader or dental practice manager
With further training, you could become a dental therapist, helping a dentist carry out the more routine dentistry work. You could also become a dental hygienist, helping people to look after their teeth and gums
You might decide to train as an orthodontic therapist, helping dentists to improve the appearance and position of a patient's teeth

Health careers:

https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

TEMP DENT DENTAL AGENCY LIMITED

Mary-Petra Obika

mary.obika@tempdent.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000290582.

Apply now

Closes in 17 days (Monday 6 January at 11:59pm)

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