Apprentice Dental Nurse

Summary

A fantastic opportunity to be trained as a dental nurse in a busy, thriving Dental Practice. Duties will include: Preparing and maintaining the dental equipment, instruments and materials within a dental surgery. Carrying out infection control and decontamination procedures. Recording dental charting carried out by clinicians.

Wage

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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Training course

Dental nurse (integrated) (level 3)

Hours

Days and shifts to be confirmed.

40 hours a week

Start date

Thursday 15 May 2025

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you’ll do at work

The role of an Apprentice Dental Nurse encompasses:

Preparing and maintaining the dental equipment, instruments and materials within a dental surgery
Carrying out infection control and decontamination procedures
Recording dental charting carried out by clinicians
Preparing, mixing and handling dental materials
Providing chair-side support to dentists, therapists and hygienists throughout a range of dental procedures
Providing support and reassurance to patients
Providing administration support in making appointments, taking payments and dealing with paperwork
An experienced Dental Nurse will use his / her knowledge of dentistry to anticipate what is needed during treatment sessions, a skill that is highly valued by the clinician

Where you’ll work

15 SOUTH ROAD
STOURBRIDGE
DY8 3XZ

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

SANDWELL COLLEGE

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

College lessons are delivered by Sandwell College. However, each session is either online or in the workplace, therefore travel to Sandwell is not required.

You will be trained in the City and Guilds Level 3 Dental Nurse apprenticeship standard, which includes:

Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing
Emergency first aid in the workplace qualification at Level 3

End-Point Assessment (EPA):

Completion of this qualification will enable candidates to register with the GDC as a qualified dental nurse. The practice also offers a full in-house training programme to cover the practical aspect of the job role

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

Maths and English (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

Attention to detail
Communication skills
Customer care skills
Number skills
Organisation skills
Patience
Team working

Other requirements

You will need to have a keen interest in becoming a dental nurse and not be put off by the sight of blood and saliva, you will also be standing for long periods of time. You will be required to have a DBS check and be vaccinated against Hepatitis B.

About this company

We are a purposed built, single storey dental practice which has served the community for over 50 years. We have a friendly, approachable and experienced team who work together to provide a caring environment for our patients. Ample parking car parking is available outside of the practice.

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

After this apprenticeship

On completion of this Level 3 Dental Nursing Advanced Apprenticeship, the apprentice can register with the General Dental Council as a qualified Dental Nurse, and complete a range of Level 4 qualifications, such as Oral Health or Radiography.

Alternatively, full-time employment with the employer is available.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SANDWELL COLLEGE

Jayne Acquaye

apprentice@sandwell.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000315895.

Apply now

Closes in 10 days (Wednesday 30 April 2025 at 11:59pm)

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