Apprentice Dental Nurse

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.

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
• Managing stock of equipment and supplies
• Any other duties to support the dentists and senior team to provide effective patient care
• Passing a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• With experience, you may be able to move into jobs like team manager, team leader or dental practice manager
• With further training, you could become a dental therapist, helping a dentist carry out the more routine dentistry work
• You could also become a dental hygienist, helping people to look after their teeth and gums
• You might decide to train as an orthodontic therapist, helping dentists to improve the look and position of a patient's teeth

For more information on Dental Careers, please visit:

• The training will take place at the dental surgery
• Functional Skills if required

A healthcare provider that offers general dental services, from routine check-ups to more complex procedures like fillings and restorations

• Customer care skills
• Non judgemental