Dental Nurse Apprenticeship

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

Job summary

A local dental practice in Ferryhill is offering a 12-month apprenticeship in dental nursing. You will assist dentists, manage patient records, and perform various reception duties. Ideal candidates will have strong communication skills, a compassionate approach to patient care, and a desire to learn. This apprenticeship offers £11,778 in the first year with potential for growth in the dental field.

Benefits

Structured training and development

Potential for career advancement

Hands-on experience in dental practice

Qualifications

• Must be able to assist dentists and manage patient care effectively.
• Understand sterilisation and infection control procedures.
• Communicate compassionately with patients.

Responsibilities

• Assist dentists during procedures and manage the dental environment.
• Provide chairside support and maintain patient records.
• Handle reception duties and patient queries.

Skills

Communication skills

Patient care

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Cultural competence

Education

Level 3 Extended Diploma in Dental Nursing

Job description

Overview

The apprenticeship in dental nursing is a 12‑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. Provide efficient and reliable chair‑side support to the dental surgery. 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' 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, by spoken, written and or electronic means with all patients, including patients whose first language is not English, using representatives or interpreters where necessary, in relation to patients with anxious or challenging behaviour or special considerations such as emotional trauma and difficult circumstances, such as breaking bad news, or discussing issues such as alcohol consumption, smoking, or diet.
• 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, including where patients cause distress to staff.
• 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.
• Communicate appropriately and effectively in professional discussions and transactions.
• 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.
• Where appropriate manage, refer or delegate work according to 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 which promotes the safety and wellbeing of the patient and dental team.
• Where appropriate lead, manage and take professional responsibility for the actions of colleagues and other members of the team involved in patient care.
• Where appropriate support patients to negotiate the barriers and challenges which prevent sections of the population accessing oral healthcare, including patients from marginalised populations and patients with protected characteristics.
• Treat your patients, members of the public and your 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 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.
• Patient Care
• £11,778 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
• National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab) Training course Dental nurse (GDC 2023) (level 3)
• Hours Standard shift is Monday to Friday: Some evening and weekend work may be required depending on the rota, exact shifts to be confirmed.
• 30 hours a week
• Start date Monday 22 December 2025
• Duration 1 year
• A healthcare provider that offers general dental services, from routine check‑ups to more complex procedures like fillings and restorations
• After this apprenticeship With experience, you may be able to move into jobs like team manager, team leader or dental practice manager. With further training, you could become a dental therapist, helping a dentist carry out the more routine dentistry work. You could also become a dental hygienist, helping people to look after their teeth and gums. You might decide to train as an orthodontic therapist, helping dentists to improve the look and position of a patient's teeth.