Dental Nurse Apprenticeship

This apprenticeship offers a fantastic opportunity to work alongside experienced dental professionals. You will gain hands-on experience assisting with patient care, sterilizing instruments, maintaining records, and providing high-quality customer service. The program includes a blend of practical experience and theoretical learning to build a strong foundation in dental principles.

Requirements

• GCSE in English (grade 9 – 4 / A* - C)
• GCSE in Maths (grade 9 – 4 / A* - C)
• A full UK driving license is required to access the dental practice and Yeovil College.
• Willingness to commit to the duration of the apprenticeship.
• Possess other relevant qualifications and industry experience (apprenticeship can be adjusted).

Skills

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Presentation skills
• Team working
• Initiative
• Non-judgemental attitude
• Patience

Responsibilities

• Provide chairside assistance to dentists and hygienists.
• Perform instrument decontamination.
• Welcome and attend to patients.
• Mix dental materials.
• Coordinate with reception to organize patient appointments.
• Identify relevant dental, oral, craniofacial, and general anatomy.
• Evaluate health risks associated with drug use and misuse on oral and general health.
• Understand the scientific principles of dental materials and biomaterials.
• Identify signs of abuse, neglect, or emotional trauma, and understand safeguarding systems.
• Identify signs of normal and abnormal facial growth and development.
• Assess patients’ levels of anxiety, experience, and expectations.
• Contribute to diagnostic procedures.
• Undertake orthodontic assessment.
• Obtain valid consent from patients.
• Record accurate patient histories.
• Record dental charting and oral health assessments.
• Prepare records, images, equipment, and materials for clinical assessment.
• Process and manage dental radiographs and images.
• Manage patient anxiety effectively and safely.
• Monitor, support, and reassure patients through effective communication.
• Identify and act on changes in a patient’s reported oral health status.
• Arrange follow-up care as prescribed.
• Provide chairside support during treatment.
• Prepare, mix, and handle dental materials.
• Identify and explain risks within the clinical environment.
• Implement and manage decontamination and infection control procedures.
• Prepare and maintain the clinical environment, instruments, and equipment.
• Identify, assess, and manage medical emergencies.
• Provide patients/carers with preventive advice and instruction.
• Support the management of patients with acute oral conditions.
• Adopt an evidence-based approach to clinical practice.
• Communicate effectively and sensitively with patients, colleagues, and the public.
• Maintain contemporaneous, complete, and accurate patient records.
• Communicate with care, compassion, empathy, and respect.
• Communicate appropriately and effectively in professional discussions.
• Give feedback effectively to team members.
• Respect the roles of dental and other healthcare professionals.
• Demonstrate effective team working.
• Contribute to providing dental care for patients.
• Manage, refer, or delegate work according to scope of practice.
• Adopt a patient-centred approach.
• Raise concerns about own or others’ health, behaviour, or professional performance.
• Comply with systems and processes for safe patient care.
• Act in accordance with current best practice guidelines, clinical governance, and health and safety requirements.
• Act within legal frameworks informing personal behaviour and healthcare delivery.
• Act with integrity to maintain trust.
• Demonstrate personal accountability.
• Work in partnership to develop a safe and supportive environment.
• Where appropriate, lead, manage, and take professional responsibility for actions.
• Support patients in negotiating barriers to accessing oral healthcare.
• Treat patients, the public, and colleagues with dignity and respect.
• Support patients to make informed decisions.
• Demonstrate cultural competence.
• Provide the best possible outcome for patients.
• Speak up to protect others from harm.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of evidence-based prevention.
• Address discriminatory language and behaviour.
• Evaluate the role of health promotion.
• Evaluate the environmental impacts of oral healthcare methods.
• Contribute positively to healthcare communities.
• Evaluate an evidence base.
• Utilise feedback for professional development.
• Demonstrate personal development planning and reflective practice.
• Evaluate the impact of new techniques and technologies.
• Assess own capabilities and limitations, seeking advice when appropriate.
• Recognise and manage personal assumptions, biases, and prejudices.
• Recognise and manage contextual factors affecting patient safety.
• Demonstrate professional responsibility in self-development.
• Develop and maintain professional knowledge and competence.
• Demonstrate engagement with systems promoting wellbeing.
• Demonstrate continuous improvement activities.
• Recognise when and how to take action if wellbeing is compromised.
• Effectively manage own time and resources.
• Underpin all patient care with a preventive approach.