Dental Nurse Apprenticeship

Dental Limited; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 12,000; Full time

Job summary

A dental practice in the United Kingdom is offering a 12-month government-funded apprenticeship in dental nursing. The role involves assisting dentists, managing patient care, and providing chair-side support. Candidates must have GCSEs in English and Maths and possess strong communication and patient care skills. The apprenticeship offers a salary of £11,778 in the first year, working 30 hours a week, with potential career progression in the dental field.

Responsibilities

• Assisting dentists and supporting patient experience.
• Reception duties including answering the phone and greeting patients.
• Sterilising and preparing equipment for dentists.
• Booking appointments and dealing with patient queries.

Skills

Communication skills

Organisation skills

Customer care skills

Problem‑solving skills

Administrative skills

Team working

Non‑judgemental attitude

Patience

Patient care

Education

GCSE in English (grade 4)

GCSE in Maths (grade 4)

Job description

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 and preparing equipment, reception duties and supporting patient experience. Provide efficient and reliable chair‑side support to the dental surgery.

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
• 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 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 the 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 them safely.
• Implementing, performing and managing effective decontamination and infection control procedures according to current guidelines.
• Preparing and maintaining the clinical environment including tools 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 comply with advice and take responsibility 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 those 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.
• Communicating effectively and sensitively by spoken, written and electronic means with the public.
• Communicating 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.
• 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.
... (continuation of the lengthy list of duties) ...

Qualifications and Skills

• GCSE in English (grade 4)
• GCSE in Maths (grade 4)
• Communication skills
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem‑solving skills
• Administrative skills
• Team working
• Non‑judgemental attitude
• Patience
• Patient care
• Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Training, Salary and Hours

£11,778 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age. National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices. Standard shift is Monday to Friday; some evening and weekend work may be required depending on the rota. 30 hours a week. Start date Sunday 11 January 2026. Duration 1 year. Training course dental nurse (GDC 2023) – Level 3 (A level). The training will take place at the dental surgery, a healthcare provider that offers general dental services, from routine check‑ups to more complex procedures like fillings and restorations.

Future Opportunities

• 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.