Dental Nursing Apprenticeship

Summary

Measham Dental Limited are seeking an enthusiastic and passionate individual to join their team as an Apprentice Dental Nurse. You will develop competence across a wide range of dental chairside support procedures. This is an excellent opportunity for a smart, ambitious and self-motivated individual to join a friendly environment.

Wage

£14,526.20 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Dental nurse (integrated) (level 3)

Hours

Time allocated for lunch: 1 hour unpaid. Overall weekly shift patterns and hours: Monday-Wednesday 8:45am- 5:45pm, Thursday 7:45am- 8.00pm, Friday, 7:45am- 5:00 pm, Saturday, 8:45am- 4.00pm. Exact shifts tbc.

37 hours a week

Start date

Sunday 1 June 2025

Duration

2 years

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you’ll do at work

Develop competence across a wide range of dental chairside support procedures
Develop knowledge of a wide range of practical treatment procedures and the relevant support necessary to ensure effective outcomes
Develop competence in the manipulation and application of dental materials across a wide range of dental treatment procedures
Develop a comprehensive knowledge and application of a wide range of dental instruments and other relevant equipment necessary during preparation for treatment procedures
Learn to prepare individual treatment rooms for a wide range of dental procedures
Develop and demonstrate competence in decontamination and sterilisation of medical and dental devices within clinical and non-clinical environments, ensuring appropriate records are completed
Be responsible as part of the clinical team for the care of the patient from arrival to completion of treatment
Under supervision carry out the following: reception duties, answering telephone, receiving mail, meeting and greeting of patients and/or carers, managing online diaries and day books, sending appointments by email, maintenance of recall systems, maintenance and upkeep of all patient records and correspondence on our computer software
Learn to write up clinical notes accurately
Participate in audit procedures under the direction of appropriate clinicians/practice manager

Where you’ll work

1 The Courtyard
57-65 High street
Measham
Swadlincote
DE12 7HR

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

DCG

Your training course

Dental nurse (integrated) (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents

Adhere to legal and ethical responsibilities in line with General Dental Council requirements
Take responsibility for the integrity of own actions and completed work, recognising the limits of your competence and experience
Comply with current best practice guidelines
Put patients’ interests first and act to protect them by working in a patient-centred way
Effectively manage own time and resources
Provide chair side support during dental procedures
Monitor, support and reassure patients throughout all aspects of their treatment, ensuring patient-centred care
Communicate appropriately, effectively and sensitively at all times and through all media
Respect patients’ dignity and choices and act without discrimination
Check that valid consent is obtained for all treatments and personal care delivery
Maintain patient confidentiality at all times
Work in the clinical environment in a safe and efficient manner
Select and prepare the correct equipment, instruments and materials
Carry out and record maintenance and testing of equipment in line with local policy, procedures and the scope of your own role
Manage and perform effective decontamination and infection control procedures complying with legislative, local and current best practice guidelines
Mix, handle, store and dispose of materials in line with manufacturers recommendations
Create and update accurate and current patient records, including social, medical and dental history, storing and archiving them securely and in line with legislation
Carry out processing of radiographs in line with local procedures and rules
Make effective decisions regarding the safety of patients when taking a radiograph
Deliver appropriate and current evidence-based oral and general health advice
Recognise and support action to deal with medical emergencies
Respond to medical emergencies and be competent in cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Take part in appraisal and ongoing review processes
Take part in continuous professional development activities
Reflect on how your daily practice complies with the General Dental Council requirements for continual improvement
Comply with personal development planning as specified by the General Dental Council
Participate in quality improvement activities as required
Be collaborative and work as part of the team
Adhere to legal and ethical responsibilities in line with General Dental Council requirements
Take responsibility for the integrity of own actions and completed work, recognising the limits of your competence and experience
Comply with current best practice guidelines
Put patients’ interests first and act to protect them by working in a patient-centred way
Effectively manage own time and resources
Provide chair side support during dental procedures
Monitor, support and reassure patients throughout all aspects of their treatment, ensuring patient-centred care
Communicate appropriately, effectively and sensitively at all times and through all media
Respect patients’ dignity and choices and act without discrimination
Check that valid consent is obtained for all treatments and personal care delivery
Maintain patient confidentiality at all times
Work in the clinical environment in a safe and efficient manner
Select and prepare the correct equipment, instruments and materials
Carry out and record maintenance and testing of equipment in line with local policy, procedures and the scope of your own role
Manage and perform effective decontamination and infection control procedures complying with legislative, local and current best practice guidelines
Mix, handle, store and dispose of materials in line with manufacturers recommendations
Create and update accurate and current patient records, including social, medical and dental history, storing and archiving them securely and in line with legislation
Carry out processing of radiographs in line with local procedures and rules
Make effective decisions regarding the safety of patients when taking a radiograph
Deliver appropriate and current evidence-based oral and general health advice
Recognise and support action to deal with medical emergencies
Respond to medical emergencies and be competent in cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Take part in appraisal and ongoing review processes
Take part in continuous professional development activities
Reflect on how your daily practice complies with the General Dental Council requirements for continual improvement
Comply with personal development planning as specified by the General Dental Council
Participate in quality improvement activities as required
Be collaborative and work as part of the team

Your training plan

Level 3 Dental nurse (integrated) apprenticeship standard / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English (grade C/4 or above)
Maths (grade C/4 or above)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Presentation skills
Administrative skills
Logical
Team working
Patience
Excellent timekeeping
Reliable
Organised
Proactive

Other requirements

We advise candidates to check the location of Measham and their means of transport before applying because public transport is limited and driving would be ideal. Successful candidates will be expected to be willing to keep up to date with inoculations such as Hepatitis B, Tuberculosis and normal childhood vaccinations. Candidates must consider that you will be dealing with nervous, anxious patients as well as possibly bad oral hygiene and blood. If we are interested in taking your application further, you will receive an email from a derby college email address (@derby-college.ac.uk). Please make sure that you check your inbox as well as your spam/junk folders, so you do not miss out on the opportunity to apply.

About this company

We are a private dental practice which means we often have more time to spend with our patients than in the NHS. We are a very friendly and supportive team with a wealth of experience. We offer an extensive range of dental services from general and cosmetic dentistry to more specialised areas including orthodontics and oral surgery. Sandra, the Principal Dentist, opened the modern purpose-built practice in 2014 with a vision to offer affordable private treatment in a friendly, approachable and professional way. Since then we have grown mainly by personal recommendation. Measham is located near Ashby-de-la-Zouch and Swadlincote in N.W. Leicestershire with convenient access by car to the M42. We are opposite Tesco Express on the High Street in Measham. There is a large free public car park to the rear of the building. Good communication skills and customer service awareness is needed to maintain a high level of service within the dental practice making the patients feel welcome and comfortable. Working sometimes under pressure, dental nurses must remain professional and work quickly and efficiently. Being in close contact with the patients is a daily requirement for a dental nurse, therefore they must understand the patients' needs and possible anxieties about attending the dentist endeavouring to make their experience as comfortable as possible.

After this apprenticeship

Possibility to become an employee on completion of apprenticeship for the right candidate, with a view to further development
For example, continue to further study on Level 4 programmes such as Radiography or Oral Health Education, or work their way into practice management

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

DCG

Chloe Purcell

Chloe.purcell@derby-college.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000317253.

Apply now

Closes in 15 days (Friday 16 May 2025 at 11:59pm)

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

Cookies on Find an apprenticeship

Contents