Dental Nurse Apprenticeship

Summary

The apprenticeship in dental nursing is an 18-month government-funded course by City & Guilds, a Level 3 Extended Diploma. Alongside your learning, your job role within the practice will entail assisting dentists, sterilising & preparing equipment, reception duties and supporting patient experience.

Wage

£11,778 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

Monday - Friday, 08:30 - 17:30

30 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 11 June 2025

Duration

1 year 6 months

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

Provide efficient and reliable chair-side support to Practice Clinicians.

The day-to-day duties of a dental nurse can span across all areas of the practice and can include:

Reception, including answering the phone and greeting patients
Dealing with patient queries
Taking payments
Booking appointments and follow-ups
Sterilising and preparing equipment for dentists
Recording and dealing with patient records
Supporting patients' wellbeing and dental experience
Cleaning dental areas, including chairs
Managing stock of equipment and supplies
Any other duties to support the dentists and senior team to provide effective patient care

Where you'll work

Fairlands Medical Centre, Fairlands Ave, Guildford GU3 3NA
Guildford
GU3 3AZ

Training

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

College or training organisation

TEMP DENT DENTAL AGENCY LIMITED

Your training course

Dental nurse (integrated) (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

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

This qualification is a level 3 advanced apprenticeship accredited by City & Guilds and is delivered nationwide through blended interactive E-Learning, enabling learners to access the course from anywhere in the UK
Upon achievement, the apprentice will be awarded a Diploma in Dental Nursing Level 3

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

Maths & English (grade 4 +)

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
Team working
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience

Other requirements

You will be required to be immunised against Hepatitis B. You will also need to pass a DBS check. If your application has been successful you will be contacted by Email by the training provider Tempdent. Please ensure you check your Emails including your junk box.

About this company

At Fairlands Dental, we are committed to providing the highest quality dental care to our patients. We would like to introduce ourselves as family dentists who will look at all your dental needs whether a simple check-up or improving your smile through cosmetic dentistry. We facilitate patients from across Surrey, Berkshire & Hampshire. Fairlands Dental understand the importance of reliable dentistry and prioritize the care of our patients above all else. We are a modern, state of the art, fully computerised private dental practice. NHS treatment is available for children who are with a fee paying adult. We are located on the first floor in Fairlands Medical Centre with an onsite pharmacy and plenty of free parking!

https://www.fairlandsdental.co.uk (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

With experience, you may be able to move into jobs like team manager, team leader or dental practice manager
With further training, you could become a dental therapist, helping a dentist carry out the more routine dentistry work
You could also become a dental hygienist, helping people to look after their teeth and gums
You might decide to train as an orthodontic therapist, helping dentists to improve the look and position of a patient's teeth

Health careers:

https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

TEMP DENT DENTAL AGENCY LIMITED

Michelle Waheed

michelle.waheed@tempdent.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000319382.

Apply now

Closes on Tuesday 10 June 2025

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.

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