Apprentice Dental Nurse

Bupa Dental Care; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 19,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Great Place to Work Certified

Training opportunities

Wellbeing support

Registration/DBS paid

Flexible working patterns

Job summary

Bupa Dental Care in Bournemouth is offering an Apprentice Dental Nurse opportunity, with full-time hours (39 per week) and a structured training path to become a GDC-registered Dental Nurse. You will gain hands-on experience in a welcoming practice while earning as you learn.

The programme covers oral anatomy, infection prevention, patient care and safety, with Level 3 qualification on completion after 18–24 months.

Qualifications

• Level 3 Dental Nurse qualification completed over 18–24 months.
• GCSE English and Maths (GCSE A*-C equivalents) required before endpoint.
• Support to achieve English/Maths if needed during the programme.

Skills

Oral anatomy

Infection control

Patient care

Teamwork

Education

Level 3 Dental Nurse qualification

GCSE English & Maths

Job description

Apprentice Dental Nurse - Bournemouth BH1 1DS

Looking to train as a Dental Nurse? Take your first step with a Bupa Dental Care Apprenticeship.

• Working hours: Full time - Monday to Friday 39 hours a week
• Location: Bournemouth, BH1 1DS
• Why join us: Career progression in a supportive practice

As an Apprentice Dental Nurse with Bupa Dental Care, you can feel at ease knowing we’re fully invested in you, at the start of your dentistry career. You’ll work in a warm, welcoming environment where you are not only valued, but supported to grow. And with our flexible working patterns, you can make work-life balance a reality.

Benefits that help you feel at ease in your career

• Proud to be a Great Place to Work® Certified employer and recognised as one of the UK's Best Workplaces for Women™ and UK's Best Workplaces for Development™ 2026, reflecting our commitment to an inclusive, supportive culture where people can thrive.
• Industry-leading progression and pay framework, based on your skills and experience.
• Bupa Dental Care ranks 15th in the Department for Education’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list for 2025, and 93% of our Dental Nursing Apprentices are on track to complete on time.
• Exclusive access to unique training and development opportunities with 300+ online courses available through Bupa Learn, access to Tempdent’s CPD platform and LinkedIn Learning.
• Market-leading wellbeing support, including remote GP services, physiotherapy and mental health support. You’ll receive a fully funded period and menopause plan, a free health assessment and a £350 allowance to use on selected Bupa products.
• Paid‑for essentials such as registration, DBS checks, professional indemnity and vaccinations, plus access to financial wellbeing support through Stream.
• Flexible working patterns designed to support your life outside of work.
• And much more, from colleague discounts and financial wellbeing support to health and lifestyle benefits designed to support you every day.

What to expect from the Dental Nurse Apprenticeship

Our apprenticeship gives you the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to become a GDC‑registered Dental Nurse. You’ll earn while you learn, gaining hands‑on experience as you provide great patient care and support clinicians chairside.

You’ll also build core skills in areas such as:

• Oral anatomy and dental procedures
• Infection prevention and control
• Patient care and health promotion
• Safety, compliance and managing clinical situations

Qualification you’ll achieve

Level 3 Dental Nurse qualification completed over 18–24 months

Level 2 English and Maths (GCSE A*–C equivalents) required before your end point assessment — we’ll support you if you need to achieve these.

Curious about life at Bupa Dental Care?

Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram to explore real team stories, career tips, and behind the scenes moments from our practices.

Here you’ll be welcomed. We champion diversity and we understand the importance of our people representing the communities and customers we serve. You’ll find an inclusive environment where you can be yourself and where everyone is driven by the same purpose – helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world.

Bupa takes pride in being a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer and will aim to offer an interview/assessment to disabled applicants who best meet the minimum criteria for the role. We are committed to ensuring you are treated fairly during the recruitment process and offer reasonable adjustments to anyone who may benefit from accommodations to the recruitment process.

Bupa Dental Care is an equal opportunities employer.