Dental Nurse Apprenticeship

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

Job summary

A dental practice in Cambridge is seeking apprentices for a 12-month government funded apprenticeship in dental nursing. Candidates will assist dentists, handle chair-side duties, and manage reception tasks. Qualifications include GCSE English and Maths (grade 4), with a diploma in dental nursing preferred. The role offers a salary of £11,778 for the first year, with 30 hours per week including some evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Answer phones, greet patients, book appointments and handle payments.
• Sterilise and prepare instruments and equipment for procedures.
• Record and update patient records and manage stock of supplies.
• Support dentists during treatment with chair-side assistance.
• Maintain a clean clinical environment and implement infection-control protocols.
• Manage medical emergencies and provide preventive oral health advice.
• Assist with orthodontic assessment and special investigations.

Skills

Excellent communication

Customer care

Organisational skills

Team-working

Professionalism

Respect for diversity

Ability to manage patient anxiety

Basic oral-health assessments

Knowledge of dental materials

Infection control knowledge

Preventive care

Adaptability to evening and weekend work

Education

GCSE English (grade 4)

GCSE Maths (grade 4)

University-level diploma in dental nursing

Job description

The apprenticeship in dental nursing is an 12‑month government funded course by City & Guilds, a Level 3 Extended Diploma. The role involves assisting dentists, sterilising & preparing equipment, reception duties and providing efficient chair‑side support within a dental practice.

Responsibilities

• Reception duties: answering phones, greeting patients, booking appointments and handling payments.
• Sterilising and preparing instruments and equipment for procedures.
• Recording and updating patient records, charting, and managing stock of supplies.
• Supporting dentists during treatment: chair‑side assistance, material handling, and patient communication.
• Radiograph processing, maintaining a clean clinical environment, and implementing infection‑control protocols.
• Managing medical emergencies and providing preventive oral health advice.
• Assisting with orthodontic assessment and special investigations where required.

Qualifications

• GCSE: English (grade 4) and Maths (grade 4).
• University‑level diploma or equivalent in dental nursing is desirable.

Skills & Attributes

• Excellent communication, customer‑care and organisational skills.
• Team‑working, professionalism, and respect for diversity.
• Ability to manage patient anxiety and conduct basic oral‑health assessments.
• Knowledge of dental materials, infection control, and preventive care.
• Adaptability to evening and weekend work.

Additional Information

Salary: £11,778 for the first year, with potential increases based on age and experience. Hours: 30 h week, Monday‑Friday, with some evenings and weekends. Apprenticeship starts 22 December 2025 and lasts 1 year.