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- Tasks: Assist dentists, manage patient care, and ensure a smooth dental experience.
- Company: Join a supportive dental practice with a focus on patient wellbeing.
- Benefits: Government-funded apprenticeship, competitive pay, and hands-on training.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in healthcare while making a real difference in patients' lives.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in English and Maths, plus strong communication and teamwork skills.
- Other info: Great career progression opportunities in the dental field.
Apprenticeship Overview
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.
Key Responsibilities:
- 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
- Identify relevant and appropriate dental, oral, craniofacial, and general anatomy
- Evaluate the health risks of prescribed, non‑prescribed and recreational drug use and misuse on oral and general health
- Evaluate the scientific principles underpinning the use of materials and Biomaterials
- Identify the signs of abuse, neglect or emotional trauma
- Identify the signs of normal and abnormal facial growth
- Assess patients' levels of anxiety, experience, and expectations in respect of dental care and oral health
- Contribute to relevant special investigations and diagnostic procedures
- Undertake orthodontic assessment
- Obtain valid consent from patients
- Record an accurate and contemporaneous patient history
- Accurately record dental charting
- Prepare records, images, equipment and materials for clinical assessment
- Process and manage dental radiographs and images
- Manage patient anxiety appropriately
- Monitor, support and reassure patients through effective communication
- Identify changes in the patient's reported oral health status
- Make arrangements for follow‑up care as prescribed by the operator
- Provide chairside support to the operator during treatment
- Prepare, mix and handle dental materials
- Identify and explain the risks within and around the clinical environment
- Implement, perform, and manage effective decontamination and infection control procedures
- Prepare and maintain the clinical environment including the instruments and equipment
- Identify, assess, and manage medical emergencies
- Provide patients/carers with comprehensive, personalised preventive advice
- Support the management of patients with acute oral conditions
- Adopt an evidence‑based approach to clinical practice
- Communicate effectively and sensitively with all patients
- Maintain contemporaneous, complete and accurate patient records
- Communicate with care, compassion, empathy and respect
- Demonstrate effective team working
- Take a patient‑centred approach to working with the dental and wider healthcare team
- Comply with systems and processes to support safe patient care
- Act in accordance with current best practice guidelines
- Demonstrate personal accountability to patients, the regulator, the team and wider community
- Work in partnership with colleagues to develop and maintain an effective and supportive environment
- Support patients to negotiate barriers preventing access to oral healthcare
- Treat patients, members of the public and colleagues with dignity and respect
- Demonstrate cultural competence
- Speak up to protect others from harm
- Evaluate the effectiveness of evidence‑based prevention
- Proactively address discriminatory language, behaviour and microaggressions
- Contribute positively to the healthcare communities
- Utilise the receipt of effective feedback in professional development
- Recognise personal assumptions, biases and prejudices
- Demonstrate own professional responsibility in the development of self
- Develop and maintain professional knowledge and competence
- Effectively manage your own time and resources
- Underpin all patient care with a preventive approach
Qualifications & Skills:
- GCSE English (grade 4)
- GCSE Maths (grade 4)
- Communication skills
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem‑solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Team‑working
- Non‑judgemental
- Patience
- Patient care
Training & Apprenticeship Details:
- Course: 12‑month government funded by City & Guilds, Level 3 Extended Diploma.
- Training will take place at the dental surgery.
- Start date: Monday 22 December 2025. Duration: 1 year.
- Shift pattern: Monday to Friday, 30 hours a week; evening and weekend work may be required.
- Compensation: ÂŁ11,778 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age.
Career Path:
With experience, you may progress to team manager, team leader, or dental practice manager. With further training, you could become a dental therapist, hygienist, or orthodontic therapist.
Dental Nurse Apprenticeship employer: Dental Limited
Contact Detail:
Dental Limited Recruiting Team
We think you need these skills to ace Dental Nurse Apprenticeship
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Dental Care: When writing your application, let us know why you're excited about dental nursing! Share any experiences or interests that connect you to the role. We love seeing genuine enthusiasm!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills match the responsibilities listed in the job description. We want to see how you can contribute to our team and support patient care.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your writing straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your qualifications and experiences. We appreciate applications that are easy to read and understand!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dental Limited
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on dental terminology and procedures. Familiarise yourself with common dental practices, equipment, and patient care techniques. This will not only show your enthusiasm but also demonstrate that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Practice Makes Perfect
Conduct mock interviews with friends or family. Focus on common questions like how you would handle a nervous patient or manage sterilisation protocols. Practising your responses will help you feel more confident and articulate during the actual interview.
✨Show Your Soft Skills
As a dental nurse, communication and empathy are key. Be prepared to share examples of how you've effectively communicated with patients or worked as part of a team. Highlighting these skills can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few questions ready about the practice or the apprenticeship programme. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you. Think about asking about team dynamics or opportunities for further training.
