Dental nurses are dental care professionals and work as part of the dental team.
The jobA dental nurse supports the dentist in all aspects of patient care, this includes getting the appropriate instruments ready, mixing materials and ensuring patient comfort. They will also take notes from dentists dictation for records and once the patient has left, the dental nurse tidies the surgery and sterilises all of the instruments.
In general practice, sometimes the dental nurse may help with reception work - making appointments, taking payments, dealing with paperwork and meeting and reassuring patients.
Dental nurses can be employed in general practice, hospitals or the community dental services and can also train as a dental nurse in the armed forces.
The entry requirementsThere are usually no academic qualifications needed to work as a trainee/student dental nurse, but in order to progress, you will need to study for further qualifications (see below). Some of these qualifications require GCSEs at grade D-G (or equivalent) for entry, others may require GCSEs at grade A-C (or equivalent) as a minimum.
Employers will expect a friendly, responsible attitude and positive approach to people and a willingness to study.
Training
Once you start as a student/trainee dental nurse, you will be encouraged to study for a qualification. This is important for your future career development. The course needs to be recognised by the General Dental Council (GDC) - such as the National Certificate awarded by the National Examining Board for Dental Nurses (NEBDN), NVQ level 3 in Dental Nursing, level 3 VRQ in Dental Nursing, or the Certificate of Higher Education in Dental Nursing.
Dental hospitals and further education colleges run National Certificate and NVQ courses. The Certificate of Higher Education in Dental Nursing is offered at Portsmouth University.
If like most dental nurses, you start your career in a general dental practice, you will be able to study in the evenings or on day release.
The national certificate is awarded to dental nurses who have passed the examination and completed the equivalent of two years of full-time surgery experience.
If you begin your career in a dental hospital or in the community dental service, you will start as a student/trainee dental nurse, qualifying when you have obtained your National Certificate.
For details of centres offering the National Certificate, NVQ and VRQ courses, please see the NEBDN website and for more information about the Certificate of Higher Education in Dental Nursing, visit the Portsmouth University website
Some trusts may offer the chance to train through an apprenticeship in dental nursing. For general information about apprenticeships, please click here
RegistrationIn order to work as a dental nurse, you must be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC) which regulates dentists and dental care professionals. In order to register with the GDC, you need to have successfully completed an approved qualification. For more information visit the GDC Website (http://www.gdc-uk.org/)
Career prospectsExperience as a dental nurse is usually a requirement for those wishing to become a dental hygienist or dental therapist (sometimes known as oral health practitioners).
With experience and further training, dental nurses can also work as orthodontic therapists
Job vacanciesYou can apply directly for vacancies in private practice and the NHS on this site.
At your interview you should discuss with your prospective employer how you might study for an approved qualification in dental nursing. If you want to study full-time in a dental hospital or college you should write directly to them.
Further information from:British Association of Dental Nurses
PO Box 4
Room 200
Hillhouse International Business Centre
Thornton-Cleveleys
FY5 4QD
Tel: 01253 338 360
Fax: 01253 773 266
Website: http://www.badn.org.uk/
Email: admin@badn.org.uk (for general enquiries)
National Examining Board for Dental Nurses
110 London Street
Fleetwood
Lancashire
FY7 6EU
Tel: 01253 778 417
Email: info@nebdn.org
Website: http://www.nebdn.org/
Our
goal is to become "The Recruitment Agency of Choice", for both our
clients and candidates alike. We don't want to be the largest agency;
we want to be the best run agency
|