The Apprenticeship in Dental Nursing

The apprenticeship in dental nursing is a 12-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

• £12,480 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age.
• National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices.

Training Course

• Dental nurse (level 3)

Hours

• Monday to Friday, shifts to be confirmed; some evening and weekend work may be required depending on the rota.
• 30 hours a week.

Start Date

• Wednesday 11 November 2026

Duration

• 1 year

Positions Available

• 1

What You'll Do at Work

• Provide efficient and reliable chair-side support to the dental surgery.
• The day-to-day duties of a dental nurse can span across all areas of the practice and can include:
  • Reception, including answering the phone and greeting patients
  • Dealing with patient queries
  • Taking payments
  • Booking appointments and follow-ups
  • Sterilising and preparing equipment for dentists
  • Recording and dealing with patient records
  • Supporting patients' wellbeing and dental experience
  • Cleaning dental areas, including chairs
  • Managing stock of equipment and supplies
  • Any other duties to support the dentists and senior team to provide effective patient care.

Where You'll Work

• CROWN HOUSE, CROWN LANE, WICKHAM MARKET, WOODBRIDGE, IP13 0SA

Training Provider

• HARRIET ELLIS TRAINING SOLUTIONS LIMITED
• Training course: Dental nurse (level 3)

What You'll Learn

• Course contents include identifying relevant anatomy, evaluating health risks, understanding scientific principles of dental materials, identifying signs of abuse/neglect, assessing patient anxiety, contributing to investigations, undertaking orthodontic assessment, obtaining valid consent, recording patient history and assessments, preparing and managing records/images/equipment, managing patient anxiety, monitoring and supporting patients, providing preventive advice, supporting management of acute oral conditions, adopting evidence-based practice, communicating effectively and sensitively, maintaining patient records, demonstrating care and respect, working effectively in a team, managing/referring/delegating work, taking a patient-centred approach, raising concerns, complying with safety requirements, acting within legal frameworks, demonstrating integrity and accountability, working in partnership, supporting patients to negotiate barriers to oral healthcare, treating patients with dignity and respect, advocating for patient needs, evaluating prevention effectiveness, proactively addressing discrimination, evaluating the role of health promotion, applying evidence base for environmental impacts, contributing to healthcare communities, evaluating evidence base, utilising feedback for professional development, demonstrating personal development planning and reflective practice, evaluating new techniques and technologies, assessing own capabilities and limitations, recognising personal assumptions/biases/prejudices, recognising impact of contextual factors on patient safety, demonstrating own professional responsibility, developing and maintaining professional knowledge and competence, demonstrating engagement with wellbeing strategies, demonstrating continuous improvement activities, recognising when and how to take action if wellbeing is compromised, and effectively managing time and resources. All patient care is underpinned by a preventive approach.