Apprentice Dental Nurse

WHITE FRIARS HOUSE DENTAL PRACTICE LTD

Chester, CH1 1NZ

Closes in 24 days (Wednesday 15 January at 11:59pm)

Posted on 14 November 2024


Summary

Being a dental nurse is demanding but a highly rewarding profession where you can use your personality to welcome and reassure patients. You will appreciate the need for excellent customer care paired with the very best dentistry.

Annual wage
£12,147.20 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Dental nurse (integrated) (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Thursday 8:30-17:00 (1 hour lunch), Friday 8:30 - 16:00 (30 min Lunch).

36 hours 30 minutes a week

Possible start date

Wednesday 29 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

We are searching for a motivated, confident, bubbly and friendly individual to join our team.  

Below is a summary of the role of an apprentice Dental Nurse.  The training will be supported and supervised by the Practice Manager and other team members. This is what will ultimately be achieved. 

Employment duties: 

  • Assist the dentist, hygienist or therapist by providing dental chairside support duties relevant to stage of competence under the supervision of a named GDC registrant, in accordance with the GDC guidance for trainee dental nurses 
  • Work towards a nationally recognised qualification leading to the registration with the GDC 
  • Follow all practice policies and procedures 
  • Establish, promote and maintain productive working relationships with all of the dental team 
  • Liaise with the practice manager on all matters concerning administration, pay and conditions 
  • Assist with reception duties and perform other clerical duties if required 
  • Take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by your work 

Develop and demonstrate competence in: 

  • The chairside support procedures 
  • The manipulation and application of dental materials across a range of dental treatment procedures 
  • Knowledge and application of a wide range of dental instruments and equipment relevant for dental procedures 
  • Decontamination and preparation of treatment rooms for a range of dental procedures 
  • Decontamination of dental devices using appropriate practice decontamination equipment after receiving the necessary vaccinations 
  • Decontamination equipment maintenance in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions 
  • Waste segregation and disposal in accordance with the practice policies and procedures 
  • Use of the practice computer and X-ray systems 
  • Completion of laboratory request forms and keeping records of all items sent, received and fitted 
  • Checking that all necessary laboratory work is returned and ready for each session 

Provide patient support by: 

  • Liaising with reception over appointments for each patient 
  • Escorting patients from the waiting room to the surgery, confirming the patient’s medical history is up-to-date and communicating to the dentist or hygiene therapist any change in medical history or problems that he/she has noted 
  • Monitoring, supporting and reassuring patients 
  • Supporting the patient and colleagues if there is an emergency 
    Providing appropriate advice to patients 

Where you’ll work

White Friars House

14 White Friars

Chester

CH1 1NZ

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

CHESHIRE COLLEGE SOUTH AND WEST

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

This training plan has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

More training information

Progression from watching to shadowing and then ‘flying solo’ over the space of a few months, depending on the learner 

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4)
  • Maths (grade 4)

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

  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Customer Care
  • Practical
  • Dexterity
  • Empathetic
  • Friendly
  • Polite
  • Confident
  • Hard Working

Other requirements

Dental nurse involves lots of hard work and being on your feet for much of the day.

About this company

White Friars House is a long established, family dental practice located in the heart of historic Chester. Based in a wonderful Georgian building and staffed with a team of superb dentists, the practice has been looking after many generations of patients and their families. It is believed that dentistry started in that building back in 1859! The team at the practice are immensely proud to be able to offer contemporary, family dental care in a modern environment, while maintaining the character and history of White Friars House.

https://whitefriarshouse.com/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

  • Dental Nursing can lead to several post-qualifications, including radiology, oral health education and further education to become a dental hygiene therapist 
  • You will learn how to become a fantastic dental nurse, which will in turn open opportunities to further your career within dentistry 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CHESHIRE COLLEGE SOUTH AND WEST

Sophie Cain

Sophie.cain@ccsw.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000287553.

Apply now

Closes in 24 days (Wednesday 15 January at 11:59pm)

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.