Dental nurse

Dental nurses’ main role is to help the dentist during the treatment of patients. They make sure equipment and materials are ready, disinfect clinical areas, and greet patients. They help during treatment by preparing patients, mixing materials for fillings and anticipating the dentist’s needs. Some also act as receptionists, for example, booking appointments and dealing with payments.

Also known as

• Dental surgery assistant

Work activities

Dental nurses might be the first person the patient sees when they enter the building. The nurse must greet each patient in a professional and caring manner. During treatment, the dental nurse mixes materials and hands the right instruments to the dentist when they need them. The nurse takes notes from the dentist’s instructions and monitors the patient to make sure they are comfortable. The dental nurse uses equipment to remove saliva and water from instruments, which also makes it easier for the dentist to see what they’re doing. After treatment, nurses must sterilise the instruments. They are also responsible for controlling infection within the surgery. They prepare permanent filling materials and temporary dressings, and process X-rays.

Dental nurses make sure the surgery is clean at the end of the day. They must file patient records correctly and securely. They have to prepare any records that will be needed for the next day and do any other administrative tasks. Dental nurses may be responsible for ordering stock and equipment. At times, they might have to work in the reception, answering the telephone, greeting patients, taking payments and booking appointments over the phone or face to face.

Personal qualities and skills

To be a dental nurse, you’ll need:

• A confident, friendly, outgoing personality.
• The ability to calm and reassure anxious patients.
• Good hand skills and attention to detail.
• Organisational skills.
• The ability to act quickly and calmly under pressure.
• Teamwork skills to work as part of the dental team.
• Stamina and physical fitness; this job usually involves spending a lot of time on your feet.
• The ability to take accurate notes.

Pay and opportunities

Dental nurses working in the NHS start on band 3 or 4 of the Agenda for Change payscale, earning between £22,816 and £25,147. In the private sector, you could earn more.

Dental nurses usually work 37-40 hours per week, Monday to Friday. They may also have to work on Saturdays.

Dental nurses work in general dental practices, the NHS (in hospitals and the community) and the armed forces. Opportunities for dental nurses occur in towns, cities and rural areas throughout the UK. Most dental nurses work in general practice.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local/national newspapers, on the Government’s Find a Job service, on the NHS Jobs website, and on job boards.

Entry routes and training

You will need to study a course which is approved by the General Dental Council (GDC). There are various courses, usually requiring two GCSEs at grades 9-4 for entry. You could also do a level 3 (advanced) apprenticeship in the role of dental nurse, during which you will undertake most of your training on the job while studying towards relevant qualifications.

Many entrants start by finding work through direct application. This way, you may be granted time off to study towards either the National Certificate in Dental Nursing or the level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing.

Another option is to join the armed forces and train to be a dental nurse, gaining either the National certificate or the level 3 diploma.

With experienced, you could be promoted to a team leader post. With further training, dental nurses can go on to become dental hygienists or dental therapists. It is also possible to go into a dental teaching role.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act: This career is an exception to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This means that you must supply information to an employer about any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings, if they ask you to. This is different from other careers, where you only have to reveal information on unspent convictions if you are asked to.

Qualifications

You will typically need GCSEs in English and maths to enter a relevant qualification. This is also a requirement of an advanced apprenticeship, although you may be able to work towards these qualifications alongside your apprenticeship programme.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Related careers

• Dental hygienist
• Dental therapist
• Dentist
• Healthcare assistant
• Operating department practitioner
• Physiotherapy assistant
• Podiatry assistant