Introduction

Dental nurses are dental care professionals and work as part of the dental team.

The job

A 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 requirements

There 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 courses on a full-time and part-time basis. 

If like most dental nurses, you start your career in 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 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 dental nurse, qualifying when you have obtained your national certificate.

Registration

In 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 prospects

Experience 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.

Browns Locumlink

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Check out all the latest vacancies on our website, which updates every few minutes.  You can register online and see all the latest jobs 24 hours a day.

Please contact the team on 020 8927 0972 or by email on webdental@brownslocumlink.com