Dental Nurse Apprenticeship

Overview

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. Provide efficient and reliable chair-side support to the dental surgery.

• 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
• Provide chairside support to the operator during treatment
• Prepare records, images, equipment and materials for clinical assessment
• Process and manage dental radiographs and images
• Manage patient anxiety effectively and safely
• Monitor, support and reassure patients through effective communication and behavioural techniques
• Identify changes in the patient s oral health status and take appropriate action
• Provide patients/carers with comprehensive, personalised preventive advice and instruction
• Underpin all patient care with a preventive approach to contribute to long-term oral and general health
• Adopt an evidence-based approach to clinical practice
• Communicate effectively with patients, public, and colleagues using spoken, written and electronic means
• Maintain contemporaneous, complete and accurate patient records
• Respect and work with colleagues across dental and wider healthcare teams
• Demonstrate effective team working and professional responsibility
• Identify, assess and manage medical emergencies
• Identify relevant dental, oral, craniofacial, and general anatomy across diverse patient populations
• Explain safeguarding welfare systems for children and adults
• Obtain valid consent and record a patient history accurately
• Prepare, manage and decontaminate clinical environments and equipment according to guidelines
• Provide preventive advice and promote self-care to patients and carers
• Comply with clinical governance, health, safety requirements and best practice guidelines
• Raise concerns about health, behaviour or performance when appropriate
• Demonstrate cultural competence and respect for diversity

• GCSE in English (grade
  4) and Maths (grade
  4)
• Communication, organisation, customer care, problem solving, administrative, and team-working skills
• Non-judgemental, patient, and able to work as part of a team

• Hours:
  
  Monday to Friday, 30 hours per week; shifts to be confirmed; some evening and weekend work may be required depending on the rota
• Start date:
  
  Friday 13 March 2026
• Duration: 1 year
• Salary: £11,778 for your first year, with potential increases depending on age and progression
• Location:
  
  dental surgery training site; training will take place at the dental surgery
• Apprenticeship standard:
  Dental Nurse (GDC 2023) Level 3

• With experience, progression options include roles such as team manager or dental practice manager
• Further training could lead to roles such as dental therapist, dental hygienist, or orthodontic therapist