Dental Nurse Apprenticeship

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.

Wage: £15,704 to £25,396.80 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Dental nurse (integrated) (level 3)
Hours: Monday 8.15am-6.15pm Tuesday 8.15am-5.45pm Wednesday 8.15am-5.45pm Thursday 8.15am-6.15pm Friday 8.15am – 5pm
40 hours a week
Possible start date: Wednesday 23 April
Duration: 1 year 6 months
Positions available: 1

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 to Practice Clinicians.
The day to day duties of a dental nurse can span across all areas of the practise 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

10 Railway Street
Beverley
HU17 0DX

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.

Upon achievement the apprentice will be awarded a Diploma in Dental Nursing Level 3. Functional Skills English & Maths level 2 qualifications unless already exempt.

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 Grade 4/C)
Maths (grade 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
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Administrative skills
Analytical skills
Team working
Initiative
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

Portman currently have 200 dental practices across the UK, Ireland and Benelux, including 16 orthodontic Portman Smile Clinics, caring for over 700,000 patients. Our practices offer a range of specialist, private and NHS dental care services, and are focused on continual development both in clinical skills and innovation. Culture and values are critical to us, with a simple ethos at our core to treat others as we would want to be treated ourselves.

https://www.portmandentalcare.com/ (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 look 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 VAC1000308763.

Apply now

Closes on Sunday 20 April 2025

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