Apprentice Dental Nurse

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) invites applications for an Apprentice Dental Nurse at the University Dental Hospital, Manchester. The 18‑month fixed term apprenticeship runs over 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with four days in the dental setting and one day in the educational setting to complete the required theory studies and qualification.

You must be 16+ with GCSEs (English and Maths at Grade C/4+ or equivalent) and a Health & Social Care Level 2 certificate can be

Qualifications

• GCSEs required, including English and Maths.
• Health & Social Care Level 2 may count as the third qualification.
• Applicants must be at least 16 years old.

Responsibilities

• Assist the dental team in day-to-day clinical tasks and patient care.
• Provide support across primary and secondary dental care settings during the apprenticeship.
• Maintain high standards of infection control and patient safety.

Skills

Initiative

Communication

Caring nature

Education

GCSEs (English & Maths)

Health & Social Care Level 2

Job description

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Main area Apprentice Dental Nurse Grade NHS AfC: Band 4 Contract 18 months (Apprenticeship - 18 month fixed term contract. Annex 21 applied to Band 4.) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (8.45am to 5.05pm) Job ref 349-LCOD-8172735-RL4

Site University Dental Hospital of Manchester Town Manchester Salary £24,853 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 06/09/2026 23:59 Interview date 21/09/2026

Job overview

Are you a motivated, caring and compassionate individual who is keen to pursue a career as an Apprentice Dental Nurse with Manchester Foundation Trust?

If so, we would like to hear from you!

MFT, University Dental Hospital, School for Dental Care Professionals are currently recruiting motivated, caring and compassionate individuals for the role of Apprentice Dental Nurse.

Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and have three GCSES (Grade C/4+ or equivalent), two of these must be English and Maths, a Health & Social Care Level 2 certificate can be accepted as the 3 rd qualification. You must also be able to demonstrate initiative, effective communication skills, a caring nature and a commitment to commencing your career as an Apprentice Dental Nurse.

Successful applicants will undertake and fulfil the educational and clinical requirements of the Dental Nurse (GDC 2023) ST1431 Apprenticeship Standard and the City & Guilds Level 3 Dental Nursing Practitioner (Diploma) programme.

Please note that applications from dentists with dental qualifications obtained either inside or outside the UK cannot be considered. Individuals holding these dental qualifications are not eligible for apprenticeship funding, as they are deemed to already possess qualifications at a level that exceeds the requirements of the apprenticeship programme.

Main duties of the job

Our full time Apprenticeship in Dental Nursing is an 18 month fixed term apprenticeship for 37.5 hours per week, over five days, Monday to Friday. Four days of the week are based in the dental setting and one day per week is based in the educational setting at the school. Here you will undertake your theoretical studies to achieve the apprenticeship qualification within the 18‑month contract of employment with MFT.

Band 4 Annex 21 - £24,853.

Annex 30 will be applied to the Band of any existing NHS staff.

This is an 18-month fixed term, during this time you will undertake the apprenticeship and be supported to consider your future career goals. Please be aware that there is no guarantee of permanent employment at the end of the 18-month fixed term contract.

Successful applicants will work as part of the dental team. You will have the opportunity to work in different dental settings during your apprenticeship, these include primary and secondary dental care. On a day-to-day basis you will assist in the management and treatment of a variety of patients by maintaining high standards of infection control and excellent patient care.

Working for our organisation

Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe – a great place to shape your career.
With a workforce of over 30,000 colleagues, we work together to deliver exceptional care to more than 1 million people every year.
Behind every patient cared for are people like you - keeping services running smoothly, supporting clinical teams, and helping create safe, welcoming environments for patients and our people alike.
At MFT, we believe in the power of teamwork, respect, and inclusion. Our People Plan reflects our commitment to making MFT a place where everyone feels they belong, where your ideas are heard, and your contribution is truly valued. Join us and work smarter with our digital technology and thrive in a collaborative culture that empowers you to deliver your best to ensure that your work behind the scenes creates seamless, high-quality care and exceptional patient outcomes.
Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow, we offer clear pathways for development and a culture that supports your wellbeing, ambition, and success. Everything you do makes a real difference to the lives of others.
At MFT, your role matters, your impact is real, and you’re part of something bigger from day one.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Duration

Salary Payable

( i ) up to 12 months prior to completion of training:

75% of the top of the band

(ii) more than one but less than two years prior to completion of training:

70% of the top of the band

(iii) more than two but less than three years prior to completion of training:

65% of the top of the band

(iv) more than three years from completion of training:

60% of the top of the band

Starting pay for any trainee / apprentice must be no less than the rate of the main (adult) rate of the National Minimum Wage.

IMPORTANT CANDIDATE INFORMATION

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the ‘Documents to download’ heading.

Explore ‘Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place’

To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place. This welcoming one‑stop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others.You’ll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.

To access ‘Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place’, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the ‘Documents to download’ heading and once opened, you can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.

We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we’re proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other.
As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.

What is a DBS Check?

A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:

Standard DBS : Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.

Enhanced DBS : Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police that’s considered relevant to the role.

Enhanced with Barred Lists : Includes all of the above, plus checks against the children’s and/or adults’ barred lists.

Who Needs a DBS Check

Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.

The Costs for a DBS

At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.

Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Maths Grade C+ / 4+ at GCSE or equivalent
• English Grade C+ / 4+ at GCSE or equivalent
• 3rd GCSE qualification and/or Health & Social Care Level 2 will be accepted as the 3rd qualification

Experience

• Experience of working with people. Evidence of team working. Evidence of working effectively as an individual.
• Have previous experience of working with patients/customers.

Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to be flexible and adaptable.
• Effective organisational and interpersonal skills.
• Good manual dexterity skills.
• IT Skills

Personal Attributes

• Enthusiastic and dedicated.
• Friendly, open, empathetic and compassionate. Professional outlook and positive attitude.
• Committed to delivering high standards of patient care.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.