Dental Nurse Apprentice

Summary

We have an exciting opportunity for an apprentice dental nurse to join our friendly dental practice. We would love you to join us as an apprentice dental nurse and start your exciting career in dental nursing. The successful candidate will be assisting other dental health professionals, providing chairside support and a high level of patient care.

Wage

£11,778 to £19,047.60, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

You must be prepared to work on at least the apprenticeship wage for up to 12 months whilst on the programme. Employers usually review pay rates after your employment probation period.

Training course

Dental nurse (integrated) (level 3)

Hours

Monday- Friday, from 8.30am- 6.00pm. Hours to be confirmed.

30 hours a week

Start date

Monday 23 June 2025

Duration

1 year

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

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get practical experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work:

• Prepare and maintain the clinical environment, equipment and materials for dental procedures
• Keep accurate and current patient records on the system
• Work to current best practices for dental nurses, assisting when needed

The Level 3 Dental Nurse Apprenticeship offers employment within a dental practice with an accompanying assessment and skills development programme. It will develop the skills, knowledge, and behaviours of the learner to operate competently in all aspects of clinical responsibilities.

It will also provide you with the relevant qualification to apply for professional registration as a dental nurse to the General Dental Council (GDC).

What you will study:

• Cross infection
• Anatomy
• Radiography
• Oral hygiene
• Orthodontics
• Restoration
• Legislation
• First aid
• Health and safety

You will complete on and off-the-job training whilst you are fully supported throughout, progressing to gateway and endpoint assessment.

You must be aged 19 or above for this position due to insurance restrictions.

Where you'll work

179 Denmark Hill
London
SE5 8DX

Training

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

College or training organisation

HARRIET ELLIS TRAINING SOLUTIONS LIMITED

Your training course

Dental nurse (integrated) (level 3)

What you'll learn

• 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 Apprenticeship Standard & qualification, including Functional Skills if required
• An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation
• You will have an average of 6-hours per week of your working hours for your off the job training
• This can be at the dental practice or at home, but it is up to your employer
• Training schedule has yet to be agreed upon. Further details will be made available at a later date

Requirements

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
• Team working
• Non judgemental
• Patience

Other requirements

You will need to have a keen interest in becoming a dental nurse and not be put off by the sight of blood. You will be required to have a DBS check and be vaccinated for Hepatitis B. The role of a dental nurse is demanding and can be very physical as you will be on your feet all day.