Dental Nurse Level 3 Apprenticeship

We are looking for someone that enjoys working with people, building relationships and is passionate about providing excellent care to our patients.

As an apprentice dental nurse, your duties will include:

• Working alongside the dentist, taking instruction from them and responding in an appropriate manner
• Maintaining good infection control procedures and adhering to policies and protocols
• Ensuring 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 to 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:

• A level 3 qualification which has been approved by the General
• Dental Council as meeting the requirements for entry to the professional register as a dental nurse
• 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 18-24 months on-programme working toward the occupational standard, with off-the-job training. 

The focus is now on the outcome of an apprenticeship, and apprentices must demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours that employers have identified they need.

After the apprenticeship

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

• Radiography
• Oral Health education
• Sedation

Things to consider

This role will require you to obtain a full DBS and also Hep B and TB vaccinations to enable you to work in surgery. This role may also include working with nervous patients and coming into contact with bodily fluids including blood and saliva.