Dental Nurse Apprenticeship

Rodericks Dental Limited; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A dental practice in the East Midlands offers an 18-month apprenticeship in dental nursing, leading to a Level 3 diploma. Responsibilities include assisting dentists, managing patient records, and ensuring effective patient care. Ideal candidates will have communication and customer care skills. This role promotes career progression into management or specialized dental roles.

Qualifications

• Level 3 diploma in Dental Nursing upon completion of apprenticeship.
• Ability to manage patient anxiety appropriately.
• Demonstrate engagement with continuous improvement strategies.

Responsibilities

• Assist dentists during procedures and manage patient care.
• Conduct reception duties and handle patient queries.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety in the clinical environment.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Organisation skills

Customer care skills

Problem solving skills

Team working

Initiative

Non-judgemental

Patience

Education

GCSE in Maths and English (grade 4) or equivalent

Functional Skills English and Maths Level 2 qualifications

Job description

The apprenticeship in dental nursing is an 18-month government-funded course by City & Guilds, a Level 3 Extended Diploma. Alongside your learning, your job role within the practice will entail assisting dentists, sterilising & preparing equipment, reception duties and supporting patient experience.

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' wellbeing and dental experience
• Cleaning dental areas, including chairs
• Managing stock of equipment and supplies
• Any other duties to support the dentists and senior team to provide effective patient care
• 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, 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 the relevant factors and taking into account the legal requirements where appropriate 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, with all patients, including those whose first language is not English
• Communicate effectively and sensitively with the public and with colleagues from dental and other healthcare professions
• 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
• Demonstrate effective teamwork and contribute to your team in providing dental care for patients
• Where appropriate, manage, refer or delegate work according to the scope of practice of members of the dental team
• 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 and health and safety requirements
• Act within the legal frameworks which inform personal behaviour and the delivery of healthcare
• Act with integrity and maintain the trust of colleagues, patients, and the public
• Demonstrate personal accountability to patients, the regulator, the team and wider community
• Work in partnership with colleagues to develop and maintain an effective environment which promotes patient and team safety and wellbeing
• Where appropriate lead, manage and take professional responsibility for the actions of colleagues involved in patient care
• Support patients to negotiate barriers to accessing oral healthcare, including those from marginalised populations
• Treat patients, the public, and colleagues with dignity and respect without discrimination
• Support patients to make informed decisions about their care and promote diversity and inclusion
• Demonstrate cultural competence and respect for diversity
• Provide the best possible outcome for patients using knowledge and skills and acting as a patient advocate where appropriate
• Speak up to protect others from harm
• Evaluate the effectiveness of evidence-based prevention at community or population level
• Address discriminatory language, behaviour and microaggressions
• Evaluate health promotion in changing environments and behaviours to deliver health gain
• Evaluate and apply evidence on environmental impacts of dental care methods
• Contribute positively to healthcare communities
• Utilise effective feedback for professional development and maintain reflective practice
• Develop and maintain professional knowledge and competence
• Demonstrate engagement with systems and wellbeing strategies, and pursue continuous improvement
• Manage time and resources effectively
• Underpin patient care with a preventive approach to support long-term oral and general health

Career progression

• With experience you may move into roles such as team manager, team leader or dental practice manager
• With further training you could become a dental therapist or dental hygienist
• You could train as an orthodontic therapist

Qualifications & additional notes

• This qualification is a level 3 advanced apprenticeship accredited by City & Guilds and is delivered nationwide through blended interactive e-learning
• Upon achievement, the apprentice will be awarded a Diploma in Dental Nursing Level
• Functional Skills English and maths level 2 qualifications unless exempt
• GCSE in Maths and English (grade 4) or equivalent
• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Team working
• Initiative
• Non-judgemental
• Patience