Apprentice dental nurse

The duties within this role include:

• Assist the dentist/therapist/hygienist during all clinical procedures.
• Carry out and be responsible for all Health and Safety and Cross Infection policies and procedures within the dental surgery.
• Assist the dentist during all clinical procedures in the surgery which will include fillings, root canal treatment, bridge crown and denture preparation and extractions.
• Assessments, this may also include minor oral surgery.
• Assist the hygienist with scale and polish and oral health promotion plus charting and periodontal assessments.
• Record and store notes, charting, medical history and radiographs on either paper based or computerised systems.
• Reception duties which include answering the telephone, greeting patients, making appointments and recording them correctly on the system.
• Disposing of all waste correctly, including clinical, sharps, specialist, amalgam, and normal domestic.
• Assisting with the preparation of the patient and equipment during the taking of x-rays and processing and storing all images.

After the apprenticeship

The successful candidate will work towards achieving a Level 3 qualification in dental nursing whilst gaining valuable experience in a dental practice.

Upon completion of the level 3 qualification, you will be an experienced and qualified dental nurse, and as such, you can continue building up skills that will always be in-demand. You could progress to acquire specialist qualifications in areas such as sedation, dental radiography, and oral health education.

You may take on more responsibilities as a trainer for other dental nurses or move into a management role within your dental practice. You might decide to apply for a course to qualify as a dental hygienist or therapist.