Dental Nurse Apprenticeship

My Dentist; Crediton; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading dental organization in Crediton is looking for an Apprentice Dental Nurse to support clinicians with high-quality dental care and manage patient interactions. The role requires strong communication skills and a desire to learn. Successful candidates will complete a Level 3 qualification in Dental Nursing, along with opportunities for career progression and various benefits.

Benefits

Holidays rising to 30 days per year

Opportunities for professional development

Dental nurse indemnity insurance

Qualifications

• GCSE in Maths & English requirement.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work well in a team and show initiative.

Responsibilities

• Support clinicians in delivering dental treatments.
• Manage patient queries and appointments.
• Maintain a clean and prepared clinical environment.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Organisation skills

Team working

Initiative

Physical fitness

Motivated to learn

Desire to help

Resilience

Education

GCSE in Maths & English (grade 4)

Job description

As an Apprentice Dental Nurse, you'll support clinicians to deliver a range of high-quality dental treatments and help the smooth running of your surgery and practice. You will enjoy being part of a team that's passionate about caring for patients and helping the nation smile. Alongside your role, you will achieve a Level 3 in Dental Nursing.

The day-to-day duties of a dental nurse can span across all areas of the practice and can include:

Responsibilities

• Reception, including answering the phone and greeting patients
• Dealing with patient queries
• Taking payments
• Booking appointments and follow‑ups
• Sterilising and preparing equipment for dentists
• Recording and dealing with patient records
• Supporting patients' well‑being and dental experience
• Cleaning dental areas, including chairs
• Managing stock of equipment and supplies
• Identifying relevant and appropriate dental, oral, craniofacial, and general anatomy, recognising the diversity of 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 bi‑materials, 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 the legal requirements within scope of practice
• Recording an accurate and contemporaneous patient history
• Accurately recording dental charting as carried out by other 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 safely and effectively
• 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 in a manner that is accessible, promotes self‑care and motivates patients/carers to maintain and improve oral health
• 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, tailoring to context, by spoken, written and electronic means with all patients, including patients whose first language is not English and using interpreters where necessary, in relation to patients with anxious or challenging behaviour or special considerations such as emotional trauma or difficult circumstances
• Communicating effectively and sensitively with the public
• Communicating effectively with colleagues from dental and other healthcare professions in relation to direct care of individual patients, oral health promotion and raising concerns when problems arise, including where patients cause distress to staff
• 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 with patients, their representatives, the public and colleagues
• Communicating appropriately and effectively in professional discussions and transactions
• Giving feedback effectively to other members of the team
• Respecting the roles of dental and other healthcare professionals in the context of learning and working in a dental and wider healthcare team
• Demonstrating effective team working
• Contributing to the team in providing dental care for patients
• Managing, referring or delegating work according to the scope of practice of members of the dental team, in line with competence and professional practice
• Taking a patient‑centred approach to working with the dental and wider healthcare team
• Raising concerns where appropriate about your own or others' health, behaviour or professional performance
• Complying with systems and processes to support safe patient care
• Acting in accordance with current best practice guidelines
• Acting in accordance with national and local clinical governance and health and safety requirements
• Acting within the legal frameworks that inform personal behaviour, the delivery of healthcare and the protection and promotion of the health of individual patients
• Acting with integrity and ensuring your actions maintain the trust of colleagues, patients and the public in you, your team and the profession across all environments and media
• Demonstrating personal accountability to patients, the regulator, the team and wider community
• Working in partnership with colleagues to develop and maintain an effective and supportive environment which promotes the safety and well‑being of the patient and dental team
• Leading, managing and taking professional responsibility for the actions of colleagues and other members of the team involved in patient care where appropriate
• Supporting patients to negotiate barriers and challenges which prevent sections of the population from accessing oral healthcare, including patients from marginalised populations and patients with protected characteristics
• Treating patients, members of the public and colleagues with dignity and respect and without discrimination
• Supporting patients to make informed decisions about their care, making their interests your first concern
• Demonstrating cultural competence, accepting and respecting the diversity of patients and colleagues
• Providing the best possible outcome for your patients by using your knowledge and skills, acting as an advocate for their needs where appropriate
• Speaking up to protect others from harm
• Evaluating the effectiveness of evidence‑based prevention at a community and or population level
• Proactively addressing discriminatory language, behaviour and microaggressions from colleagues, patients and other professionals
• Evaluating the role of health promotion in terms of the changing environment, community and individual behaviours to deliver health gain
• Evaluating and applying the evidence base in relation to the environmental impacts of common treatment methods and approaches to the delivery of oral healthcare
• Contributing positively to the healthcare communities in which you are a part
• Evaluating an evidence base
• Utilising the receipt of effective feedback in the professional development of self
• Demonstrating personal development planning, recording evidence, and reflective practice
• Evaluating the impact of new techniques and technologies as they relate to dental nurse practice
• Accurately assessing your own capabilities and limitations in the interest of high‑quality patient care and seeking advice from supervisors or colleagues where appropriate
• Recognising personal assumptions, biases and prejudices and managing the impact of these on patient care and professional behaviour with colleagues, patients and wider society
• Recognising the impact of contextual factors on the health care environment and patient safety and managing this professionally
• Demonstrating own professional responsibility in the development of self
• Developing and maintaining professional knowledge and competence
• Demonstrating engagement with systems and personal strategies which promote and maintain physical and mental wellbeing
• Demonstrating appropriate continuous improvement activities
• Recognising when and how to take action if wellbeing is compromised in a way that affects an individual's role or professional relationships
• Effectively managing your own time and resources
• Underpinning all patient care with a preventive approach, that takes account of patient compliance and self‑care, to contribute to the patient’s long‑term oral and general health

Qualifications and Skills

• GCSE in Maths & English (grade 4)
• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Team working
• Initiative
• Physical fitness
• Motivated to learn
• Desire to help
• Resilience

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Benefits

You’ll be joining the UK's leading dental network, delivering high‑quality dentistry that makes people smile. We take pride in the investments we make in our people, including support for you to complete your level three apprenticeship via our trusted partner Tempdent and your ongoing professional development. As Europe's largest dental organisation, mydentist is dedicated to providing high‑quality, affordable and individual care at every step of the patient journey. Start Your Journey: Build a fulfilling career with us, where you’ll have the opportunity to develop your skills within a caring and inclusive team that supports each other. https://www.mydentist.co.uk/careers/dental-nurse-jobs/apprentice-dental-nurses

Salary and Benefits

£15,232.88 to £24,634.90, depending on your age. National Minimum Wage Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab). Qualification bonus and progression on to our dental nurse career and pay framework.

Holidays rising to 30 days per year with service (plus bank holidays). Training course Dental nurse (GDC 2023) (level 3).

Training and Apprenticeship Details

• Qualification: Level 3 Dental Nurse Apprenticeship Standard awarded by City and Guilds
• Assessment: End Point Assessment (EPA) after completion of your Portfolio
• Training Location: At your appointed job role, Dental Practice + Online Webinar
• Qualification Approval: Integrated Level 3 Dental Nurse qualification (General Dental Council)
• Delivery: Online study with online teaching sessions
• Off‑the‑Job Training: Provided and paid for by your employer
• Schedule: To be agreed upon; details coming soon, Health and wellbeing benefits.
• Recognition schemes including Dental Heroes and service awards.
• Dental nurse indemnity insurance and GDC annual membership fully funded.

Career Progression

• Apprentice dental nurse
• Dental nurse
• Dental nurse (2+ years GDC reg)
• Dental nurse (4+ years GDC reg)
• Dental nurse (6+ years GDC reg)
• Area support nurse (Float Nurse)
• Advanced dental nurse
• Head nurse