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. A portion of of your working hours will be spent training or studying. 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
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Administrative skills
- Team working
Qualifications
- GCSE English (4) – essential
- GCSE Maths (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