Apprentice Dental Nurse - Havant

Location: Havant Health Centre, Havant, England (PO9 2AY)
Closing Date: 8 days (Saturday 17 October 2026)
Posted on: 8 October 2026

Summary
The apprenticeship in dental nursing is an 18-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 & preparing equipment, reception duties and supporting patient experience.

Wage
£20,800 a year

Training

• Course: Dental nurse (level 3)
• Hours:
  • Monday: 8.30 - 17.30
  • Tuesday: 8.30 - 17.30
  • Wednesday: 8.30 - 17.30
  • Thursday: 8.30 - 17.30
  • Friday: 8.30 - 17.30
  • Saturday: 8.30 - 17.30
• Start Date: Monday 19 October 2026
• Duration: 1 year 6 months
• Positions Available: 1

Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work
This role will provide efficient and reliable chairside support to clinicians while ensuring high standards of patient care, confidentiality, and GDPR compliance. Day-to-day Dental Nurse duties may include:

• Welcoming patients and assisting with appointment scheduling
• Handling basic patient enquiries professionally and appropriately
• Preparing surgeries, sterilising instruments, and maintaining infection control to CQC standards
• Assisting clinicians during treatments and accurately updating patient records in line with GDPR
• Supporting patients’ comfort, reassurance, and overall dental experience
• Monitoring and managing stock, equipment, and surgery readiness
• Maintaining clean, safe, and fully equipped clinical areas
• Upholding patient privacy, dignity, and confidentiality at all times
• Collaborating with dentists and the wider team to deliver safe, efficient, and high-quality care

Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider: TEMP DENT DENTAL AGENCY LIMITED
Training course: Dental nurse (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn
Course contents include:

• Identifying relevant and appropriate dental, oral, craniofacial, and general anatomy
• Evaluating the health risks of drug use on oral and general health
• Evaluating the scientific principles underpinning the use of materials and Biomaterials
• Identifying the signs of abuse, neglect, or emotional trauma
• Assessing patients’ levels of anxiety, experience, and expectations in respect of dental care
• Contributing to relevant special investigations and diagnostic procedures
• Undertaking orthodontic assessment
• Obtaining valid consent from patients
• Recording an accurate and contemporaneous patient history
• Recording dental charting and oral health assessments
• Preparing records, images, equipment, and materials for clinical assessment
• Processing and managing dental radiographs and images
• Managing patient anxiety appropriately, effectively, and safely
• 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
• Implementing, performing, and managing effective decontamination and infection control procedures
• Preparing and maintaining the clinical environment
• Identifying, assessing, and managing medical emergencies
• Providing patients/carers with comprehensive, personalised preventive advice
• Supporting the management of patients with acute oral conditions
• Adopting an evidence-based approach to clinical practice
• Communicating effectively and sensitively with patients, the public, and colleagues
• Maintaining contemporaneous, complete, and accurate patient records
• Communicating with care, compassion, empathy, and respect in all professional interactions
• Giving feedback effectively to other members of the team
• Respecting the roles of dental and other healthcare professionals
• Demonstrating effective team working
• Contributing to providing dental care for patients
• Managing, referring, or delegating work according to the scope of practice
• Taking a patient-centred approach to working with the dental and wider healthcare team
• Raising concerns where appropriate
• Complying with systems and processes to support safe patient care
• Acting in accordance with current best practice guidelines
• Acting within the legal frameworks which inform personal behaviour, the delivery of healthcare, and the protection and promotion of the health of individual patients
• Acting with integrity and ensuring your actions maintain the trust of colleagues, patients, and the public
• Demonstrating personal accountability
• Working in partnership with colleagues to develop and maintain an effective and supportive environment
• Leading, managing, and taking professional responsibility for the actions of colleagues and other members of the team involved in patient care
• Supporting patients to negotiate the barriers and challenges which prevent sections of the population accessing oral healthcare
• Treating your patients, members of the public, and your colleagues with dignity and respect
• Supporting patients to make informed decisions about their care
• Demonstrating cultural competence
• Providing the best possible outcome for your patients by using your knowledge and skills
• Speaking up to protect others from harm
• Evaluating the effectiveness of evidence-based prevention at a community and or population level
• Proactively addressing discriminatory language, behaviour, and microaggressions
• Evaluating the role of health promotion in terms of the changing environment, community, and individual behaviours
• Evaluating and applying the evidence base in relation to the environmental impacts of common treatment methods
• Contributing positively to the healthcare communities of which you are a part
• Evaluating an evidence base
• Utilising the receipt of effective feedback in the professional development of self
• Demonstrating personal development planning, recording of evidence, and reflective practice
• Evaluating the impact of new techniques and technologies as they relate to dental nurse practice
• Accurately assessing your own capabilities and limitations
• Recognising personal assumptions, biases, and prejudices
• Recognising the impact of contextual factors on the health care environment and patient safety
• Demonstrating own professional responsibility in the development of self
• Developing and maintaining professional knowledge and competence
• Demonstrating engagement with systems and personal strategies which promote and maintain physical and mental wellbeing
• Demonstrating appropriate continuous improvement activities
• Recognising when and how to take action if wellbeing is compromised
• Effectively managing your own time and resources
• Underpinning all patient care with a preventive approach