Entry requirements
Individual employers may set any entry requirements but these may typically include:
- Be aged 16+ at the time of enrolment
- Be a UK or European Economic Area (EEA), or have lived in the UK or EEA for the past three consecutive years
- Not already be in full-time education at the point of enrolment
- Not already hold a qualification at the same level or above in the same area that you wish to study
- Apprentices without level 2 Functional Skills in English and maths or an equivalent certificate will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end point assessment.
What apprentices will learn?
This occupation is found in healthcare under the profession of dentistry. Dental nurses work in a clinical environment that could be located in a NHS general dental practice, hospital, private dental practice, specialist dental practice, community dental service or military dental clinic. The clinical environment is called a dental surgery and consists of a dental chair, x-ray unit and various equipment and instruments required for dentistry. An apprentice will predominately work with a dentist, dental hygienist, dental therapist, clinical dental technician or orthodontic therapist within a surgery environment with patients attending throughout the day.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to provide chair side support to all dental professionals and ensure high standards of cleanliness and infection control. Dental nurses prepare instruments, materials and medicaments for dental procedures, mix materials, sterilise instruments, keep records, note dictation, carry out stock control and ensure patient comfort and safety throughout their visit.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with patients of all ages, other members of the dental team, other health professionals and representatives of organisations providing support services to the setting. Depending on the dental setting the dental nurse could also interact with schools, the prison service, community dental service, individuals in their own homes and those in care home settings.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for providing care for people of all ages, different backgrounds, cultures and beliefs within a variety of clinical environments. Dental nurses must ensure that they only carry out a task, treatment or make decisions about a patient’s care if they are appropriately trained, competent, indemnified and have the necessary skills. Dental nurses are registered professionals and work within the standards and scope of practice as defined by the General Dental Council Scope of Practice document.
The Dental Nurse apprenticeship requires development of the following professional behaviours, skills and knowledge:
Knowledge
K1: Know and understand the General Dental Council Scope of Practice and Standards for the Dental Team for your role as a dental nurse and that of others in the team
K2: Know and understand legislation, policy and procedures related to your role as a dental nurse
K3: Know and understand the wider dental and healthcare system that dental nurses work in
K4: Know and understand the principles relating to evidence-based approaches to learning, clinical, professional practice and decision-making
K5: Know and understand the basic principles of a population healthcare approach including safeguarding, oral and general healthcare and your duty of care
K6: Know and understand how to raise concerns as described in the current General Dental Council guidance
K7: Know and understand dental and regional anatomy
K8: Know and understand the respiratory and circulatory system
K9: Know and understand legal and ethical responsibilities involved in protecting and promoting the health of individual patients
K10: Know and understand duty of candour
K11: Know and understand the principals of preventative dentistry
K12: Know and understand a range of communication methods, including verbal and non-verbal, listening skills, being aware of the barriers to communication and of how to check you have been understood
K13: Know and understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality and protecting all data relating to patients and their treatment
K14: Know and understand the importance of gaining patient consent
K15: Know and understand the equipment, instruments and materials used to provide chairside support to dental professionals, and operate in the clinical environment
K16: Know and understand how to assess, reduce and manage risks as outlined in current best practice guidelines
K17: Know and understand how to raise concerns that affect the running of the clinical environment in line with local policy and procedures
K18: Know and understand the potential routes of transmission of infectious agents in dental practice
K19: Know and understand the mechanisms for the prevention of infection
K20: Know and understand the scientific principles of decontamination and disinfection and their relevance to health & safety
K21: Know and understand local infection control protocols and your own responsibilities
K22: Know and understand the appropriate materials for different treatments
K23: Know and understand how to prepare materials in line with manufacturers recommendations
K24: Know and understand Health & Safety legislation relating to dental materials and other medication
K25: Know and understand the importance of maintaining accurate and current patient records in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements
K26: Know and understand the principles of information governance
K27: Know and understand the scientific principles of medical ionising radiation
K28: Know and understand the statutory regulations in relation to radiography
K29: Know and understand the different types of radiographs used in dentistry including how to process and store them
K30: Know and understand contributing factors that can impact on oral and general health
K31: Know and understand a range of conditions that could contribute to medical emergencies
K32: Know and understand the principles of First aid in the workplace
K33: Know and understand the regulatory requirements regarding documentation of medical emergencies and first aid incidents
K34: Know and understand your own competence and limitations in dealing with medical emergencies
K35: Know and understand ways to maintain your professional knowledge and competence including reflecting on your own practice
K36: Know and understand the importance of appraisal, training and ongoing review including ways to give and receive feedback
K37: Know and understand the consequences of own professional actions, attitudes and behaviours and their effect on own registration, other registrants, the dental team, the workplace and public opinion
K38: Know and understand audit and quality improvement processes
K39: Know and understand health and safety policy related to your role as a dental nurse
K40: Know and understand the importance of maintaining your own network of dental professionals and other stakeholders involved in the care and support of patients
Skills
S1: Adhere to legal and ethical responsibilities in line with General Dental Council requirements
S2: Take responsibility for the integrity of own actions and completed work, recognising the limits of your competence and experience
S3: Comply with current best practice guidelines
S4: Put patients’ interests first and act to protect them by working in a patient-centred way
S5: Effectively manage own time and resources
S6: Provide chair side support during dental procedures
S7: Monitor, support and reassure patients throughout all aspects of their treatment, ensuring patient-centred care
S8: Communicate appropriately, effectively and sensitively at all times and through all media
S9: Respect patients’ dignity and choices and act without discrimination
S10: Check that valid consent is obtained for all treatments and personal care delivery
S11: Maintain patient confidentiality at all times
S12: Work in the clinical environment in a safe and efficient manner
S13: Select and prepare the correct equipment, instruments and materials
S14: Carry out and record maintenance and testing of equipment in line with local policy, procedures and the scope of your own role
S15: Manage and perform effective decontamination and infection control procedures complying with legislative, local and current best practice guidelines
S16: Mix, handle, store and dispose of materials in line with manufacturers recommendations
S17: Create and update accurate and current patient records, including social, medical and dental history, storing and archiving them securely and in line with legislation
S18: Carry out processing of radiographs in line with local procedures and rules
S19: Make effective decisions regarding the safety of patients when taking a radiograph
S20: Deliver appropriate and current evidence-based oral and general health advice
S21: Recognise and support action to deal with medical emergencies
S22: Respond to medical emergencies and be competent in cardiopulmonary resuscitation
S23: Take part in appraisal and ongoing review processes
S24: Take part in continuous professional development activities
S25: Reflect on how your daily practice complies with the General Dental Council requirements for continual improvement
S26: Comply with personal development planning as specified by the General Dental Council
S27: Participate in quality improvement activities as required
S28: Be collaborative and work as part of the team
Behaviours
B1: Act in a manner consistent with the GDC standards for the dental team which include communication, professionalism, teamwork and clinical skills
B2: Act in a non-discriminatory manner respecting diversity and upholding the rights, dignity and autonomy of others
Occupation Duties
Duty 1 Work to current best practice for dental nurses
Duty 2 Use appropriate communication maintaining professionalism at all times and through all media to provide patient-centred care
Duty 3 Prepare and maintain the clinical environment
Duty 4 Carry out infection control procedures
Duty 5 Prepare, mix and handle materials
Duty 6 Keep accurate and current patient records
Duty 7 Prepare equipment and materials for dental radiographs
Duty 8 Give appropriate oral and general health advice to patients
Duty 9 Recognise and deal with medical emergencies
Duty 10 Take responsibility for your own professional development in line with General Dental Council requirements
Duty 11 Contribute to the quality improvement of the service
Download End-Point Assessment plan
Duration
Typically this apprenticeship will take 18 months
Qualifications
Outcomes of this standard include:
- Level 3 Dental Nurse Qualification
- Apprentices without Level 2 English and Maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end point assessment.
Progression
On completion of this qualification, learners may progress into employment as a dental nurse or onto another career pathway (with additional entry qualifications)
- Dental Hygienist
- Dental therapist
- Orthodontic therapist
- Laboratory technician
- Dentist
- Senior Nurse
- Practice manager
- Tutor
- Teacher and assessor of trainee Dental nurses
On completion of this qualification learners may progress to further qualifications in the following areas:
- Dental sedation
- Dental radiography
- Dental technology
- Oral health education
- Special care dental nursing
- Orthodontic nursing
- Dental practice management
Level
3
