apprentice Dental Nurse

Genix Healthcare; Whitley Bay; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A dental practice in Whitley Bay is seeking an enthusiastic individual for the role of apprentice Dental Nurse. This position involves supporting daily operations of the dental surgery, ensuring cleanliness and sterilisation of instruments, and assisting dentists during procedures. The successful candidate will work towards a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Dental Nursing, learning vital patient care skills in a dynamic environment. The role offers a remuneration of £14,918.80 for the first year, with potential increases based on age. This apprenticeship lasts 1 year and 6 months, starting on February 16, 2026.

Qualifications

• Able to communicate effectively with patients and team members.
• Attention to detail is essential for patient care and documentation.
• Organisational skills to manage time and tasks efficiently.

Responsibilities

• Assist with daily operations of the dental surgery.
• Ensure cleanliness and sterilisation of dental instruments.
• Support the dentist during treatments and procedures.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Organisation skills

Customer care skills

Presentation skills

Administrative skills

Team working

Initiative

Non‑judgemental

Patience

Education

GCSE in English (grade 4)

GCSE in Maths (grade 4)

Job description

Genix Health Care are looking for an enthusiastic, hardworking individual to join their team at their practice in Whitley Bay as an apprentice Dental Nurse. The successful candidate will work towards a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Dental Nursing and will support with the day-to-day running of the surgery as well as reception when required.

Responsibilities

• Clean and provide basic routine maintenance to the surgery equipment
• Ensure that all instruments are clean and sterilised
• Pass instruments to the dentist during procedures
• Prepare instrument trays and materials for procedures
• Assist the dentist with chair side duties
• Develop x-rays and file appropriately
• Monitor surgery stock items
• Dispose of all clinical waste in a safe and appropriate manner
• Change cold sterilisation fluid as recommended by the manufacturer's instructions
• Maintain autoclave water levels and ensure they are drained of water at least once per week
• Assist with maintaining patient records up to date when required
• Maintain hygiene standards across the clinic
• Act as a witness or chaperone
• Prepare impressions for dispatch to the laboratory
• Maintain cleanliness of all filters, suction, and handpiece turbines
• Ensure all health and safety issues are maintained within the practice
• Act in a discreet and confidential manner relating to business/personal issues
• Adhere to patient confidentiality at all times
• 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, and 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 relevant factors and taking into account the legal requirements 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 electronic means with all patients, including those whose first language is not English, using representatives or interpreters where necessary
• Communicate effectively and sensitively by spoken, written, and electronic means with the public
• Communicate effectively by spoken, written and electronic means with colleagues from dental and other healthcare professions in relation to the direct care of individual patients, oral health promotion and raising concerns when problems arise
• 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
• Give feedback effectively to other members of the team
• Respect the roles of dental and other healthcare professionals in the context of learning and working in a dental and wider healthcare team
• Demonstrate effective team working
• Contribute to your team in providing dental care for patients
• Manage or delegate work in line with the scope of practice of members 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
• Act in accordance with current best practice guidelines
• Act in accordance with national and 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
• Act with integrity and ensure your actions maintain the trust of colleagues, patients, and the public in you, your team, and the profession across all environments and media
• 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 that promotes the safety and wellbeing of the patient and dental team
• Lead, manage and take professional responsibility for the actions of colleagues and other members of the team involved in patient care
• Support patients to negotiate barriers and challenges preventing population access to oral healthcare, including those from marginalised groups and with protected characteristics
• Treat patients, members of the public and colleagues with dignity and respect and without discrimination
• Support patients to make informed decisions about their care, making their interests your first concern
• Demonstrate cultural competence, accepting and respecting the diversity of patients and colleagues
• Provide the best possible outcome for your patients by using your knowledge and skills, acting as an advocate for their needs where appropriate
• Speak up to protect others from harm
• Evaluate the effectiveness of evidence‑based prevention at a community and or population level
• Proactively address discriminatory language, behaviour and microaggressions from colleagues, patients and other professionals
• Evaluate the role of health promotion in terms of the changing environment, community and individual behaviours to deliver health gain
• Evaluate and apply the evidence base in relation to the environmental impacts of common treatment methods and approaches to the delivery of oral healthcare
• Contribute positively to the healthcare communities of which you are a part
• Utilise effective feedback in professional development
• Demonstrate personal development planning, recording of evidence, and reflective practice
• Evaluate the impact of new techniques and technologies as they relate to dental nurse practice
• Accurately assess your own capabilities and limitations in the interest of high‑quality patient care and seek advice from supervisors where appropriate
• Recognise personal assumptions, biases and prejudices and manage the impact on patient care and professional behaviour
• Recognise the impact of contextual factors on the health care environment and patient safety and manage this professionally
• Demonstrate own professional responsibility in self‑development
• Develop and maintain professional knowledge and competence
• Demonstrate engagement with systems and personal strategies that promote and maintain physical and mental wellbeing
• Demonstrate appropriate continuous improvement activities
• Recognise when and how to take action if wellbeing is compromised
• Effectively manage your own time and resources

Qualifications

• GCSE in English (grade 4)
• GCSE in Maths (grade 4)

Skills

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Presentation skills
• Administrative skills
• Team working
• Initiative
• Non‑judgemental
• Patience

Remuneration

£14,918.80 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age.

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices. Training course: Dental nurse (GDC 2023) (Level 3). Hours: Monday – Friday, shifts to be arranged. 38 hours a week. Start date: Monday 16 February 2026. Duration: 1 year 6 months.