Dental Nursing Apprenticeship

Provide chair-side support to dental professionals and deliver a high level of patient care. This Apprenticeship provides you with the knowledge and good working practice needed to become a dental nurse and results in an ability to apply to the General Dental Council (GDC) for professional registration.

Topics include:

• Health and Safety
• Preparing for professional practice
• Cross infection control
• Medical emergencies
• Dental and regional anatomy
• The safe use of Ionising radiation
• Root canal treatment
• Extractions and minor oral surgeries

You will:

• Become fully competent in dental nursing by developing your skills in chair-side support, while providing assistance with a range of dental treatments
• Learn about various aspects of dental nursing, including first aid, dental procedures and contributing to the production of dental images

Apprentices will need to be working towards and achieve the following job role requirements before their end point assessment:

• To be working in a dental setting
• To work and act in a professional manner
• To have a patient centred approach
• Assist the dentist and hygienist
• Prepare materials and equipment
• Decontaminate instruments
• Support reception and administration duties
• Support patient care
• Adhere to the GDC standards and expectations at all times

Choose this Apprenticeship if you have a passion for patient care and want to learn and understand the principles of a dental nurse. You need to be flexible and adaptable, and have patience, understanding, and great communication skills.

Next steps: On completion you could progress directly into the workplace as a dental nurse. Alternatively, you may choose to go on to university level education to study for a career in dental hygiene or therapy.

Every employer is different and therefore the entry requirements can vary. As a guide you ideally need GCSE grade 4 or above in English and Maths and in some cases ICT.

If you are 19 or over, functional skills are not required unless requested by the apprentice’s employer.

However, we will work with you and provide additional support in order to help you achieve the functional skills element or GCSE requirements of the Apprenticeship. Support can be delivered either prior to your Apprenticeship or during the delivery of your programme.

You need patience, understanding, a strong desire to work with people and good communication skills. You will be required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for your  employer. Inline with the GDC requirements, your employer will ask you to have a course of Hep B Vaccinations.

The Hele Building was renovation in 2021 to support some of the new T Levels. Complete bright, large classrooms, state-of-the-art IT suites and interactive seminar spaces. Learners have access to cutting edge equipment to help gear them to move directly into industry or further study.

All students have access to the College Learning Resource Centres (LRCs), the College restaurant @34 and the College Gym.

You will be required to wear a uniform as part of your job role and there may be resources that you will be required to purchase.