Apprentice Dental Nurse

Tooth Club; Bishop's Stortford; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 16,000; Full time

Job summary

A dental practice in Bishop's Stortford is offering an 18-month apprenticeship in dental nursing where you will assist dentists, manage patient records, and support patients' wellbeing. Candidates should have level 2 functional skills in English and Maths, as well as strong communication and organizational skills. Upon successful completion, future roles may include dental therapist or practice manager.

Qualifications

• Functional Skills English & maths level 2 qualifications unless already exempt.
• GCSE in Maths and English (grade 4).
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills required.

Responsibilities

• Assist dentists and support patient experience.
• Manage stock of equipment and supplies.
• Maintain accurate patient records.
• Communicate effectively with patients of diverse backgrounds.

Skills

Communication skills

IT skills

Attention to detail

Organisation skills

Customer care skills

Problem solving skills

Administrative skills

Team working

Initiative

Non judgemental

Patience

Education

Functional Skills English & maths level 2 qualifications

GCSE in Maths and English (grade 4)

Job description

Overview

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.

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 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
• Identify relevant and appropriate dental, oral, craniofacial, and general anatomy, recognising the diversity of anatomy across the patient population
• Evaluate the health risks of prescribed, non-prescribed and recreational drug use and misuse on oral and general health
• Evaluate the scientific principles underpinning the use of materials and Biomaterials, their limitations and selection, with emphasis on those used in dentistry
• Identify the signs of abuse, neglect or emotional trauma, explain local and national systems that safeguard the welfare of children and adults
• Identify the signs of normal and abnormal facial growth, physical, mental and dental development milestones and explain their significance
• Assess patients\' levels of anxiety, experience, and expectations in respect of dental care and oral health
• Contribute to relevant special investigations and diagnostic procedures
• Undertake orthodontic assessment
• Obtain valid consent from patients explaining all the relevant factors and taking into account the legal requirements where appropriate within scope of practice
• Record an accurate and contemporaneous patient history
• Accurately record dental charting as carried out by other appropriate registrants
• Accurately record an oral health assessment
• Prepare records, images, equipment and materials for clinical assessment
• Process and manage dental radiographs and images
• Manage patient anxiety appropriately, effectively, and safely
• Monitor, support and reassure patients through effective communication and behavioural techniques
• Identify changes in the patient\'s reported oral health status and take appropriate action
• Make arrangements for follow-up care as prescribed by the operator
• Provide chairside support to the operator during treatment
• Prepare, mix and handle dental materials
• Identify and explain the risks within and around the clinical environment and manage these in a safe and effective manner
• Implement, perform, and manage effective decontamination and infection control procedures according to current guidelines
• Prepare and maintain the clinical environment including the instruments and equipment
• Identify, assess, and manage medical emergencies
• Provide patients/carers with comprehensive, personalised preventive advice, instruction, and intervention in a manner which is accessible, promotes self-care and motivates patients/carers to comply with advice and take responsibility to maintain and improve oral health
• Support the management of patients with acute oral conditions ensuring involvement of appropriate dental team members
• Adopt an evidence-based approach to clinical practice
• Communicate effectively and sensitively, tailoring to context, by spoken, written and or electronic means with all patients, including patients whose first language is not English, using representatives or interpreters where necessary, in relation to patients with anxious or challenging behaviour or special considerations such as emotional trauma and difficult circumstances
• Maintain contemporaneous, complete and accurate patient records in accordance with legal requirements and best practice
• Communicate with care, compassion, empathy and respect in all professional interactions with patients, their representatives, the public and colleagues
• Demonstrate effective team working
• Where appropriate lead, manage and take professional responsibility for the actions of colleagues and other members of the team involved in patient care
• Where appropriate support patients to negotiate barriers and challenges which prevent sections of the population accessing oral healthcare

Qualifications & Progression

• Functional Skills English & maths level 2 qualifications unless already exempt, GCSE in Maths and English (grade 4)
• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Administrative skills
• Team working
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience

Progression after apprenticeship

• With experience, you may move into roles such as team manager, team leader or dental practice manager
• With further training, you could become a dental therapist
• You could also become a dental hygienist
• You might train as an orthodontic therapist