Apprentice Dental Nurse

ENHANCE LIMITED; Austhorpe; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable dental practice in Austhorpe seeks an apprentice dental nurse for an 18-month government-funded course leading to a Level 3 Extended Diploma. Responsibilities include assisting dentists, managing reception duties, and ensuring a positive patient experience. Ideal candidates should possess GCSEs in Maths and English and have strong communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. This role offers a salary starting at £15,704, with full training provided to achieve professional registration as a qualified dental nurse.

Qualifications

• GCSE in Maths & English (minimum grade 4) essential for application.
• Demonstrated communication, IT and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work in a team and display patience.

Responsibilities

• Assist dentists in patient care and clinical procedures.
• Manage stock and maintain the clinical environment.
• Provide chair-side support and ensure patient comfort.

Skills

Communication skills

IT skills

Attention to detail

Organisation skills

Customer care skills

Problem‑solving skills

Administrative skills

Analytical skills

Logical thinking

Team working

Initiative

Non‑judgemental attitude

Patience

Education

GCSE in Maths & English (grade 4)

Job description

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 involve assisting dentists, sterilising and preparing equipment, performing reception duties and supporting patient experience. You will provide efficient and reliable chair‑side support to Practice Clinicians and perform a broad range of duties across the practice.

Responsibilities

• 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 handling patient records
• Supporting patients’ wellbeing and dental experience
• Cleaning dental areas including chairs
• Managing stock of equipment and supplies
• Identifying relevant and appropriate dental, oral, craniofacial and general anatomy, recognising the diversity of anatomy across the patient population
• Evaluating the health risks associated with drug use on oral and general health
• Evaluating the scientific principles underpinning the use of materials and biomaterials, their limitations and selection, with emphasis on those used in dentistry
• Identifying signs of abuse, neglect or emotional trauma and explaining local and national safeguarding systems
• Identifying signs of normal and abnormal facial growth and developmental milestones and explaining their significance
• Assessing patients’ levels of anxiety, experience and expectations in respect of dental care and oral health
• Contributing to relevant special investigations and diagnostic procedures
• Undertaking orthodontic assessments
• Obtaining valid consent from patients, explaining all relevant factors and meeting legal requirements as appropriate within scope of practice
• Recording an accurate, contemporaneous patient history
• Accurately recording dental charting as carried out by appropriate registrants
• Accurately recording an oral health assessment
• Preparing records, images, equipment and materials for clinical assessment
• Processing and managing dental radiographs and images
• Managing patient anxiety appropriately, effectively and safely
• Monitoring, supporting and reassuring patients through effective communication and behavioural techniques
• Identifying changes in the patient’s reported oral health status and taking appropriate action
• Making arrangements for follow‑up care as prescribed by the operator
• Providing chair‑side support to the operator during treatment
• Preparing, mixing and handling dental materials
• Identifying and explaining risks within and around the clinical environment and managing these safely and effectively
• Implementing and managing effective decontamination and infection control procedures according to current guidelines
• Maintaining the clinical environment including instruments and equipment
• Identifying, assessing and managing medical emergencies
• Providing patients/carers with comprehensive, personalised preventive advice, instruction and intervention that promotes self‑care and motivates compliance
• Supporting the management of patients with acute oral conditions, ensuring involvement of appropriate dental team members
• Adopting an evidence‑based approach to clinical practice
• Communicating effectively and sensitively with all patients, including those whose first language is not English, using interpreters where necessary
• Communicating with the public and with colleagues from dental and other healthcare professions in relation to direct patient care and oral health promotion
• Maintaining contemporaneous, complete and accurate patient records in accordance with legal requirements and best practice
• Communicating with care, compassion, empathy and respect in all professional interactions
• Giving feedback effectively to other members of the team
• Respecting the roles of dental and other healthcare professionals in collaborative learning and working
• Demonstrating effective team working and contributing to the provision of dental care for patients
• Managing, referring or delegating work in accordance with the scope of practice of the dental team, in line with competence and professional practice
• Taking a patient‑centred approach to working with the wider healthcare team
• Raising concerns regarding personal or professional performance where appropriate
• Complying with systems and processes to support safe patient care
• Acting in accordance with current best practice guidelines, national and local clinical governance and health and safety requirements, and within the legal frameworks that inform healthcare delivery
• Acting with integrity and maintaining the trust of colleagues, patients and the public across all environments and media
• Demonstrating personal accountability to patients, the regulator, the team and wider community
• Working in partnership to develop an effective and supportive environment that promotes patient safety and wellbeing
• Leading, managing and taking responsibility for the actions of colleagues when appropriate
• Supporting patients to negotiate barriers to accessing oral healthcare, particularly those from marginalised populations
• Treating patients, members of the public and colleagues with dignity and respect, and without discrimination
• Supporting patients to make informed decisions about their care, keeping their interests first
• Demonstrating cultural competence and acceptance of patient and colleague diversity
• Advocating for patient needs and acting to protect others from harm
• Evaluating evidence‑based preventive strategies to improve community and population health outcomes
• Proactively addressing discriminatory language, behaviour and microaggressions among colleagues, patients and professionals
• Evaluating the role of health promotion relative to changing environments and behaviours to deliver health gain
• Applying evidence on environmental impacts of common treatment methods and approaches to ocular healthcare delivery
• Contributing positively to the wider healthcare community
• Using effective feedback for professional development and reflective practice
• Evaluating the impact of new techniques and technologies on dental nurse practice
• Assessing personal capabilities and limitations to provide high‑quality patient care and seeking advice when appropriate
• Recognising personal biases, managing their impact on patient care and professional behaviour, and recognising contextual factors influencing patient safety
• Managing own time and resources effectively and maintaining a preventive approach to patient care that supports long‑term oral and general health

Qualifications & Skills

• GCSE in Maths & English (grade 4) – share any other relevant qualifications and industry experience
• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem‑solving skills
• Administrative skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical thinking
• Team working
• Initiative
• Non‑judgemental attitude
• Patience

Salary & Hours

£15,704 for your first year, potentially increasing depending on age.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (40 hours a week).

Start date: Wednesday 24 December 2025.

Duration: 1 year 6 months.

Training Information

Apprenticeship = structured training program combining practical experience with classroom learning, including online study and weekly teaching sessions. Participants work towards a Level 3 Dental Nurse Apprenticeship Standard awarded by City & Guilds. The course also involves Functional Skills in English and maths if required, weekly teaching via blended e‑learning and an End‑Point Assessment (EPA) to evaluate competency. Apprenticeship prepares learners for professional registration with the General Dental Council (GDC) as qualified dental nurses.

Career Path

• With experience: team manager, team leader or dental practice manager
• With further training: dental therapist, dental hygienist, orthodontic therapist, or other advanced roles

About the Practice

Enhance Dental is a practice in Garforth, Leeds, led by husband and wife Mark Hanson and Shirley Hannar who offer a broad range of dental treatments under one roof.