Dental Nurse Level 3 Standard Apprenticeship

Summary

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic individual to work alongside the dentist and dental therapist. Duties will include assisting in the provision and delivery of dental care to patients, reception duties and decontamination/sterilising in the surgery. Cleaning of general areas: bathrooms, kitchen, hallway, reception, etc.

Wage

£15,311.40 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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Training course

Dental nurse (integrated) (level 3)

Hours

Monday: 8:00am – 5:15pm Tuesday: College Hours (9:00am – 12:30pm) To come into work 2:00pm – 5:30pm Wednesday: 7:45am – 5:00pm Thursday: 8:00am – 6:15pm Friday: 8:30am – 2:30pm

38 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 7 July 2025

Duration

1 year 9 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

This is a great opportunity to progress into an exciting dental career. We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic individual to work alongside the dentist. Duties will include assisting in the provision and delivery of dental care to patients, reception duties and decontamination/sterilising in the surgery
They must be organised, with good communication skills, be computer literate, keen to learn, be of smart and professional appearance at all times and have a positive attitude

Your daily activities will include:

Follow practice policies and procedures
Establish, promote and maintain productive working relationships with all members of the dental team
Liaise with the practice manager on all matters concerning administration, pay and service conditions
Assist with reception and clerical duties as required
Take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by your own work
Responsible for infection control procedures, setting up and preparing the dental surgery at the start of the day, managing infection control between patients and closing at the end of the day, including cleaning and sterilising instruments and equipment
Set up and prepare the treatment room appropriately for each patient
Assist in taking radiographs (according to the level of training)
Maintain and decontaminate equipment in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions and your training
Provide chairside support to the dentist during treatment
Monitor, support and reassure patients
Assist in keeping full and accurate patient records
Monitor and maintain stocks within the practice
Maintain CPD and attend annual mandatory training
Comply with all legislation
Attend practice meetings as requested

Where you'll work

918 MIDDLETON ROAD
CHADDERTON
OLDHAM
OL9 9SB

Training

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

College or training organisation

THE OLDHAM COLLEGE

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

Level 3 Extended Diploma in Dental Nursing
Dental Nurse (integrated) Standard
In-house training will be given by an experienced team and the apprenticeship qualification will be provided by Oldham College. The ideal candidate will have grades 9 – 4 (A *– C) GCSE English and maths, or equivalent functional skills
You will be required to attend Oldham College for half a day a week

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English (grade A*-C/9-4)
Maths (grade A*-C/9-4)

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
Presentation skills
Administrative skills
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience

Other requirements

Hepatitis B vaccinations will be essential As your employer we recommend you follow NHS guidance with regards to flu vaccination scheme and the covid vaccination scheme. You will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS. Applications will only be accepted through the College website or National Apprenticeship website: https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship. Please do not contact the employer direct. If your application is successful, you will be contacted by The Oldham College (normally via email/phone) to invite you to attend a pre-interview and initial assessment.

About this company

At Firwood Dental Practice our mission is to provide a first class service. We have a fantastic reputation for providing outstanding dental care. We are a small friendly practice based in Chadderton providing private dental care through affordable monthly plans. We also provide NHS services for children up to the age of 16. As well as a full range of dental treatments we also offer facial aesthetics. Where appropriate we can provide sedation for anxious patients. Prevention of dental problems is key to our ethos, but when treatment is required we strive to provide excellent quality, and gentle dentistry to all of our valued patients.

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

After this apprenticeship

Qualified Dental Nurse
The apprenticeship will be a fixed term contract at the practice, however there could be a permanent job at the end of the apprenticeship dependent on the business needs

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE OLDHAM COLLEGE

Andrea Kearns

firwooddental@gmail.com

01617854072

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000320343.

Apply now

Closes in 15 days (Friday 30 May 2025 at 11:59pm)

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