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
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. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.
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
- Attention to detail
- 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. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
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