Summary
The apprenticeship in dental nursing is a 12-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.
What you will do at 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 the dental surgery.
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
Training
An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. Off-the-job training will follow the time allocations outlined in the occupational standard.
College or training organisation – Harriet Ellis Training Solutions Limited.
Your training course – Dental Nurse, equal to Level 3 (A level).
Requirements and skills
Skills
- Communication skills
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Creative
- Patience
Qualifications
- GCSE English (4) – essential
- GCSE Mathematics (4) – essential
About this employer
A healthcare provider that offers general dental services, from routine check-ups to more complex procedures like fillings and restorations
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an 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
For more information on Dental Careers, please visit: https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/
Things to consider
- Passing a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
- To get a Hepatitis B vaccine