apprentice dental nurse

Dental Limited; Havant; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local dental practice is seeking an apprentice dental nurse to provide chairside support and assist dental health professionals. The role offers a structured training program leading to a Level 3 Dental Nurse Apprenticeship, completing on-the-job training while ensuring patient care and safety. Ideal for individuals aged 19 or above looking to start a career in dental nursing. The position is full-time with a salary of £11,778 in the first year.

Qualifications

• Ability to manage patient records accurately.
• Understand decontamination and infection control procedures.
• Skills in providing chairside support.

Responsibilities

• Assist dental health professionals during procedures.
• Prepare and maintain the clinical environment.
• Evaluate patients' levels of anxiety regarding dental care.

Skills

Patient care

Effective communication

Anatomy knowledge

Teamwork

Education

Completion of GCSEs

Age 19 or above

Job description

Overview

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.

Responsibilities

• 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, with all patients, including those whose first language is not English, using 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.
• Demonstrate care, compassion, empathy and respect in all professional interactions with patients, their representatives, the public and colleagues.
• Demonstrate effective team working and contribute to your team in providing dental care for patients.
• Where appropriate, manage, refer or delegate work according to the scope of practice of the dental team, in line with competence and professional practice.
• Take a patient-centred approach to working with the dental and wider healthcare team.
• Raise concerns where appropriate about your own or others' health, behaviour or professional performance.
• Comply with systems and processes to support safe patient care and act in accordance with current best practice guidelines and national/local clinical governance and health and safety requirements.
• Act within the legal frameworks which inform personal behaviour, the delivery of healthcare and the protection and promotion of the health of individual patients.
• Demonstrate personal accountability to patients, the regulator, the team and wider community.
• Work in partnership with colleagues to develop and maintain an effective and supportive environment which promotes the safety and wellbeing of the patient and dental team.
• Where appropriate lead, manage and take professional responsibility for the actions of colleagues and other team members involved in patient care.
• Support patients to negotiate barriers to accessing oral healthcare, including patients from marginalised populations and those with protected characteristics.
• Treat patients, the public and colleagues with dignity and respect and without discrimination; support informed decisions about care.
• Demonstrate cultural competence and respect for diversity.
• Provide the best possible outcome for patients by using knowledge and skills, acting as an advocate when appropriate.
• Speak up to protect others from harm and evaluate the effectiveness of evidence-based prevention at a community or population level.
• Proactively address discriminatory language, behaviour and microaggressions.
• Evaluate the role of health promotion and environmental impacts of common treatment methods on oral healthcare.
• Contribute positively to the healthcare communities of which you are a part and evaluate an evidence base.
• Utilise feedback for professional development and engage in personal development planning, recording of evidence, and reflective practice.
• Evaluate the impact of new techniques and technologies in dental nurse practice and recognise personal capabilities and limitations, seeking guidance as needed.
• Manage contextual factors affecting health care environment and patient safety; demonstrate professional responsibility and continue development of knowledge and competence.
• Demonstrate wellbeing strategies and continuous improvement activities, with time and resource management to underpin long-term patient care.

What you will 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.
• Develop the skills, knowledge, and behaviours to operate competently in all clinical responsibilities and gain the relevant qualification to apply for professional registration as a dental nurse with the General Dental Council (GDC).
• Prepare and maintain the clinical environment and materials for procedures; process and manage dental radiographs and images.
• Assist during treatments and support patient care; learn cross-infection control, anatomy, radiography, oral hygiene, orthodontics, restoration, legislation, first aid, and health and safety.
• Complete on- and off-the-job training with support; this role can lead to long-term employment and further career opportunities in dental hygiene, therapy, or leadership roles.

Details

Hours: Monday-Friday, between 9:00 am–5:00 pm. Shifts may include evenings and weekends depending on rota. 30 hours per week. Start date: Friday 24 October 2025. Duration: 1 year. Positions available: 1. Salary: £11,778 for the first year, with potential increases based on age and policy.

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

What you will study

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

Other notes: The apprenticeship includes on-the-job training and an accompanying assessment and skills development programme to gain the Level 3 Dental Nurse Apprenticeship and eligibility to apply for GDC registration. It can be a good route into further dental careers and leadership roles.