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
Career Progression
There are a range of specialist courses available to Dental Nurses
looking to progress in their career. NEBDN (National Examining Board
for Dental Nurses) post-registration qualifications include:
- Certificate in Oral Health Education.
- Certificate in Dental Sedation nursing
- Certificate in Special Care Dental Nursing
- Certificate in Orthodontic Nursing
- Certificate in Dental Radiography
Dental Nurses may also move into other dentistry associated roles such as Dental Practice Manager, Head Dental Nurse or Dental Nurse Team Leader. Further qualifications can prepare Dental Nurses to work as Dental Nurse Tutors, Dental Hygienists or Dental Therapists.
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
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/
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