apprentice dental nurse

Excellence-Solutions Limited; Wythenshawe; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A dental practice is seeking an enthusiastic apprentice dental nurse to assist in patient care and clinical procedures. This position includes providing chairside support, managing patient records, and maintaining a clean environment. Qualifications include GCSEs in English and Math, with additional skills in communication and teamwork highly desired. The role offers a salary of £14,918.80 in the first year, with potential increases and clear paths for career advancement within dental healthcare.

Qualifications

• End Point Assessment (EPA) required.
• Functional Skills in English and Maths (if required) must be completed.

Responsibilities

• Greet patients and provide chairside assistance.
• Prepare for surgery and manage patient data.
• Maintain cleanliness and infection control in the surgery.
• Support patient anxiety management through effective communication.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Organisation skills

Customer care skills

Problem-solving skills

Team working

Initiative

Non-judgemental attitude

Patience

Education

GCSE in English (grade E)

GCSE in Maths (grade E)

Desired qualifications: GCSE or equivalent maths and English (Grade 4)

Job description

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated, and hardworking apprentice dental nurse to join our team. Assisting other dental health professionals, providing chair-side support and a high level of patient care, this is an excellent opportunity for a smart, ambitious and self‑motivated individual to join a friendly environment. As an apprentice, you'll work at a company and get hands‑on experience, gaining new skills and working alongside experienced staff.

Responsibilities

• Greet patients
• Chairside assisting
• Stocking surgery
• Preparing for the surgery prior to treatments
• Charting and managing patient data
• Mixing materials
• Keeping the surgery tidy and clean
• Managing infection prevention and control
• Booking patients' appointments
• Sterilisation and decontamination
• Processing of radiographs
• Answering the phone and identifying relevant and appropriate anatomy across the patient population
• Evaluating the health risks of prescribed, non‑prescribed and recreational drug use and misuse on oral and general health
• Evaluating the scientific principles underpinning the use of materials and biomaterials, their limitations and selection, with emphasis on those used in dentistry
• Identifying the signs of abuse, neglect or emotional trauma, and explaining local and national systems that safeguard the welfare of children and adults
• Identifying the signs of normal and abnormal facial growth, physical, mental and dental development milestones and explaining their significance
• Assessing patients' levels of anxiety, experience and expectations in respect of dental care and oral health
• Contributing to relevant special investigations and diagnostic procedures
• Undertaking orthodontic assessment
• Obtaining valid consent from patients, explaining all relevant factors and taking into account legal requirements where appropriate within scope of practice
• Recording an accurate and contemporaneous patient history
• Accurately recording dental charting as carried out by other appropriate registrants
• Accurately recording an oral health assessment
• Preparing records, images, equipment and materials for clinical assessment
• Processing and managing dental radiographs and images
• Managing patient anxiety appropriately, effectively and safely
• Monitoring, supporting and reassuring patients through effective communication and behavioural techniques
• Identifying changes in the patient's reported oral health status and taking appropriate action
• Making arrangements for follow‑up care as prescribed by the operator
• Providing chairside support to the operator during treatment
• Preparing, mixing and handling dental materials
• Identifying and explaining the risks within and around the clinical environment and managing these in a safe and effective manner
• Implementing, performing and managing effective decontamination and infection control procedures according to current guidelines
• Preparing and maintaining the clinical environment including instruments and equipment
• Identifying, assessing and managing medical emergencies
• Providing patients/carers with comprehensive, personalised preventive advice, instruction and intervention that is accessible and promotes self‑care
• Supporting the management of patients with acute oral conditions ensuring involvement of appropriate dental team members
• Adopting an evidence‑based approach to clinical practice
• Communicating effectively and sensitively with patients, the public and colleagues by spoken, written and electronic means, tailoring to context and considering language needs
• Maintaining contemporaneous, complete and accurate patient records in accordance with legal requirements and best practice
• Communicating with care, compassion, empathy and respect in all professional interactions
• Giving feedback effectively to other members of the team
• Respecting the roles of dental and other healthcare professionals in a multidisciplinary setting
• Demonstrating effective team working and contributing to the team’s success
• Managing, referring or delegating work according to scope of practice in line with competence and professional practice
• Taking a patient‑centred approach to working with the wider healthcare team
• Raising concerns where appropriate about health, behaviour or professional performance
• Complying with systems and processes to support safe patient care
• Acting in accordance with best practice guidelines, national and local governance, health and safety, and legal frameworks
• Acting with integrity and maintaining trust with colleagues, patients and the public across all environments and media
• Demonstrating personal accountability to patients, the regulator, the team and the wider community
• Working in partnership with colleagues to create a supportive environment that promotes safety and wellbeing
• Leading, managing and taking professional responsibility for the actions of colleagues where appropriate
• Supporting patients to negotiate barriers that prevent access to oral healthcare, including marginalised populations and those with protected characteristics
• Treating patients, the public and colleagues with dignity, respect and without discrimination
• Supporting patients to make informed decisions about their care, prioritising their interests
• Demonstrating cultural competence and respecting diversity of patients and colleagues
• Providing the best possible outcome for patients by using knowledge and skills, acting as an advocate where appropriate
• Speaking up to protect others from harm
• Evaluating the effectiveness of evidence‑based prevention at a community and population level
• Proactively addressing discriminatory language, behaviour and microaggressions from colleagues, patients and other professionals
• Evaluating the role of health promotion in changing contexts to deliver health gain
• Evaluating and applying the evidence base in relation to environmental impacts of common treatment methods
• Contributing positively to the healthcare communities of which you are a part
• Utilising feedback in professional development, planning learning and reflective practice
• Evaluating the impact of new techniques and technologies as they relate to dental nurse practice
• Accurately assessing own capabilities and limitations and seeking advice where appropriate
• Recognising personal assumptions, biases and prejudices and managing their impact on patient care
• Recognising the impact of contextual factors on patient safety and managing this professionally
• Demonstrating own professional responsibility and developing self
• Developing and maintaining professional knowledge and competence
• Engaging with systems and strategies that promote physical and mental wellbeing
• Demonstrating continuous improvement activities and managing wellbeing of self and team
• Effectively managing time and resources
• Underpinning all patient care with a preventive approach that accommodates patient compliance and self‑care, contributing to long‑term oral and general health

Qualifications & Prerequisites

• End Point Assessment (EPA)
• Functional Skills in English and Maths (if required)
• GCSE in English (grade E) and Math (grade E) – training location to be confirmed
• Share any other relevant qualifications and industry experience; the apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know
• Desired qualifications: GCSE or equivalent maths and English (Grade 4) is desirable
• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem‑solving skills
• Team working
• Initiative
• Non‑judgemental attitude
• Patience
• We provide NHS services and also offer affordable private cosmetic treatments using the latest techniques and materials. Most patients attend due to word of mouth and recommendations.

Training & Compensation

Hours: Monday – Friday, 38 hours a week.

Start date: Tuesday 6 January 2026. Duration: 1 year 6 months.

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

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices – see current rates.

Career Opportunities

• Move into a team leader, manager or dental practice manager position
• Serve in the armed forces as a dental nurse
• Become a dental hygienist or dental therapist with further training
• Become an orthodontic therapist helping dentists improve the look and position of patients’ teeth