Dental Nurse Apprentice

Northern Skills are recruiting on behalf of Horizon Dental Clinic. Horizon Dental provide NHS and speciality dental care in the North East, with practices in Monkseaton and Blyth. The successful candidate will assist the dentist with the day‑to‑day running of the Blyth practice. They will work toward a Level 3 qualification in Dental Nursing.

Wage: £11,778 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age. National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices. Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab).

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands‑on experience.

Duties include:

• Follow the practice procedures for infection prevention and control
• Set up and prepare the treatment room appropriately for each patient
• Prepare the necessary materials and instruments, making sure that equipment and instruments are in good working order and maintained regularly in accordance with practice policy
• Segregate waste in accordance with the practice procedures and ensure its safe disposal
• Assist in taking radiographs according to your level of training
• Process, mount and file dental radiographs
• Maintain and decontaminate equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and your training
• Liaise with reception over appointments for each patient
• Escort patients from the waiting room to the surgery, confirm the patient’s medical history is up‑to‑date and communicate to the dentist [hygienist/therapist] any change in medical history or problems that he/she has noted
• Provide chairside support to the dentist [hygienist/therapist] during treatment
• Prepare dental materials as required
• Monitor, support and reassure patients
• Assist in the keeping of full and accurate patient records and ensure that they are regularly updated and stored securely
• Support the patient and colleagues if there is an emergency
• Provide appropriate advice to patients
• Monitor and maintain stock within the practice as necessary, informing the practice manager and liaising with the dentists [hygienists/therapists] over orders or any shortages of materials
• Perform chaperoning duties for dentists [hygienists/therapists] when treating patients

58 Beaconsfield Street
Blyth
NE24 2DS

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

• Identify relevant and appropriate dental, oral, craniofacial, and general anatomy, recognising the diversity of anatomy across the patient population.
• 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, their limitations and selection, with emphasis on those used in dentistry.
• Identify the signs of abuse, neglect or emotional trauma, explain local and national systems that safeguard the welfare of children and adults.
• Identify signs of normal and abnormal facial growth, physical, mental and dental development milestones and explain their significance.
• 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 explaining all the relevant factors and taking into account the legal requirements where appropriate within scope of practice.
• Record an accurate and contemporaneous patient history.
• Accurately record dental charting as carried out by other appropriate registrants.
• Accurately record an oral health assessment.
• Prepare records, images, equipment and materials for clinical assessment.
• Process and manage dental radiographs and images.
• Manage patient anxiety appropriately, effectively, and safely.
• Monitor, support and reassure patients through effective communication and behavioural techniques.
• Identify changes in the patient’s reported oral health status and take appropriate action.
• Make arrangements for‑up care as prescribed by the operator.
• Provide chairside support to the operator during treatment.
• Prepare, mix and handle dental materials.
• Identif…