Course Summary:
Dental nurses provide chairside support to dental professionals while maintaining high standards of cleanliness and infection prevention. Their duties include preparing instruments, materials, and medicaments for dental procedures; mixing materials; sterilising equipment; maintaining accurate records; noting dictation; managing stock levels; and ensuring patient comfort and safety throughout each visit. Completing this apprenticeship will provide an individual with essential practical skills needed for the role and develop professional behaviours aligned with industry expectations.
Dental nurses are registered professionals and work within the standards and scope of practice as defined by the General Dental Council (GDC) Scope of Practice document. To maintain this professional registration qualified Dental Nurses are required to complete mandatory CPD this includes at least 50 hours over 5 years.
Approx. duration: 18 months
Start Date: TBC
Attendance: One day a week at the Ipswich Campus
Entry requirements:
- Individual employers will set their selection criteria for applicants
- Apprentices need to be employed for a minimum of 30 hours a week and have a contract of employment
- Entry onto the Apprenticeship is subject to a thorough skills scan assessment to clarify course suitability
- Entry onto the Apprenticeship is subject to 4 GCSEs including Maths and English 9-4/A-C or Functional Skills Level 2
- Following the updated DFE Apprenticeship rules, from 11th February 2025. Apprentices who begin their apprenticeship training when aged 19+ will no longer be subject to this mandatory requirement. It is now the decision of the apprentice and their employer at the start of their apprenticeship to choose to study towards a Maths and English qualification
On-programme learning:
- Dental Nurse Standard
- Level 3 Dental Nursing Practitioner Diploma
- English and Maths (if required) Level 2
Progression:
On successful completion of the Dental Nurse apprenticeship an individual can progress onto various roles within a practice these can include:
- Senior Dental Nurse
- Practice Management
- Orthodontic Nurse
- Sedation Or Implant Nurse
- Radiography – Qualified Nurse
- Dental Nurse Trainer
- Oral Health Educator
- Hygienist
- Dental Therapist
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