Dental Nurse Apprentice

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

The role includes:

• Working alongside the dentist, taking instructions from them and responding in an appropriate manner
• Maintaining good infection control procedures and adhering to policies and protocols
• Ensuring the cleanliness of surgery, equipment and instruments used and carrying out general housekeeping duties
• Dictate information from the dentist and record patient information correctly
• Arrange appointments, answering calls and inputting data on the computer
• Assist with administration tasks and ensure records are kept up to date and maintain confidentiality at all times
• Dental nurses interact daily with patients and therefore, you must be able to make patients feel welcome and offer reassurance to anxious patients, endeavouring to make their experience as comfortable as possible

Training

Level 3 Dental Nurse Apprenticeship Standard, which includes:

• Level 2 functional skills in maths and English (if required)
• There will be limited sessions that will require college attendance at our Walsall Campus during the training period. All other sessions remain virtual on a once-weekly basis
• Full-time apprentices will typically spend 16-18 months on-programme working towards the occupational standard. Off-the-job training will follow the time allocations outlined in the Occupational Standard

After the apprenticeship

Once qualified you can register as a dental nurse with the General Dental Council. Progression routes are available, and you can study further in dental-related qualifications at level 4.

• Radiography
• Oral Health Practitioner
• Sedation

Things to consider

Require Hep B inoculation, DBS- Disclosure and Barring Service also required. There will be exposure to bodily fluids, blood, saliva, etc. You will be dealing with nervous patients and children in a very busy and fast-paced environment.