Dental Nursing

Learning Programme Content

The Learning Programme provision shall comprise of three mandatory elements:

• Qualifications,
• Essential Skills
• On/off the job training

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 3 Pathway (Dental Nursing) is 50 credits.

Entry requirements

Applicants to this apprenticeship framework will be from different age groups, with differing backgrounds and experience.

As a guide, applicants may enter via a range of routes including from:

• work

• work experience

• school

• college

• training and/or experience which may include a portfolio showing what they have done.

Applicants may have already achieved a range of qualifications (This is not an exhaustive list, and these are not a pre-framework requirement) These can include:

• Essential Skills Wales

• Foundation Apprenticeship

• GCSEs

• GCEs

• Welsh Baccalaureate (there is no credit transfer at this time)

• Other appropriate level 2 qualifications

1. Other requirements

Employment in a dental setting during the course, to enable the work-based learning component(s) of the combined qualification to be fulfilled.

Agreement from the apprentice’s employer to support the applicant during the apprenticeship and ensure, in conjunction with the educational provider, effective mentoring whilst undertaking the work-based learning to also enable the individual:

• To understand the responsibility of being a registered Dental Nurse as part of the wider Dental Team and be able to judge their limitations and to work within these limitations to deliver high quality, patient care; rooted in evidence-based practice which puts the needs of the patient first.

• To comply with the General Dental Council’s (GDC) Standards for the Dental Team and requirements for lifelong learning.

• To comply with and follow the GDC Safe Practitioner framework. Further information and guidance for employees of apprentices can be found on the GDC website: https://www.gdc-uk.org/education-cpd/students-and-trainees/guidance-for-employers-of-trainees-students

It is an offence for employers to knowingly employ people barred from undertaking healthcare activities. Employers can contact the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to ensure they are not doing so by asking for an enhanced disclosure and barred list check. Apprentices on this framework may be subject to these checks. Individual health sector employers may have additional employment entry requirements.

In addition, dental nurses joining the GDC register must declare criminal convictions, which may prevent them from registering, and apprentices should be informed of this before entering the apprenticeship.

1. Personal Attributes

Employers look for health sector apprentices who demonstrate the following attributes:

• An enthusiasm for working in the health sector 

• A caring and friendly nature

  • Excellent communication skills

• Conscientious

• Calm

• Discreet

• Respectful

• Personable and approachable

• Highly organised

• Flexible enough to respond to unexpected situations as they arise.

• Able to work effectively in a team.

• Meticulous in carrying out their duties.

In addition apprentice dental nurses will be required to always act with honesty and integrity. 

Employers also expect apprentices to: 

• Communicate effectively with service users and work colleagues.

• Be able to work in a team. 

• Carry out their duties meticulously

Apprenticeship pathway learning programme(s)

Level 3: Dental Nursing

Level 3: Dental Nursing Qualifications

Participants must achieve one of the following combined qualifications below

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh and all Essential Skills should be contextualised to the dental sector. 

On/Off the Job training

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours.

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

• Agored Cymru Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing -50 credits /310 GLH

To be completed over a period of up to 18 months.

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

• 6 credits/45 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
• 6 credits/45 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
• 6 credits/45 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy

Evidence to support the application for an apprenticeship completion certificate for off-the-job training will include a copy of the qualification certificate for each of the above qualifications detailing the units completed

There are proxies for Essential Skills Wales and candidates must complete Communication and Application of Number at the level stated above.

There are no proxies or relaxations for Digital Literacy which candidates must complete at the level stated above.

Other additional requirements

None

Job roles

Dental Nursing

Dental Nurses are essential members of the dental team. Their role includes providing chair-side assistance to the dentist, ensuring patient comfort and safety during treatments. They prepare patients for dental surgery, sterilize instruments, and manage various tasks including record-keeping, X-ray processing, and oral hygiene education. Dental nurses also play a crucial role in infection control and health and safety practices within the dental practice.  

Key responsibilities of a dental nurse in Wales include:

• Preparing the surgery:
• Assisting during treatments:
• Sterilizing instruments:
• Preparing dental materials:
• Maintaining records:
• Providing oral hygiene education:
• Managing stock levels:
• Processing X-rays:
• Working with the reception:
• Maintaining infection control:

This includes setting up the treatment area, ensuring equipment is ready, and maintaining a clean and organized environment. 

This may involve passing instruments, managing patient comfort, and providing reassurance. 

This involves decontaminating and sterilizing equipment used during procedures to ensure safety. 

This includes mixing materials for fillings, temporary dressings, and other treatments.

 Taking notes from the dentist's dictation, keeping patient records, and ensuring accurate documentation. 

Advising patients on proper brushing, flossing techniques, and dietary recommendations for maintaining oral health. 

Ensuring that the dental practice has adequate supplies of materials, equipment, and other necessary items. 

Taking and developing X-rays, as well as ensuring proper storage and record-keeping. 

Answering phones, greeting patients, booking appointments, and managing payments. 

Ensuring adherence to hygiene protocols, such as wearing appropriate protective gear, and correctly disposing of clinical waste

Progression

Progression routes into:

See Entry Conditions.

Progression routes from:

There are a range of post registration courses available to Dental Nurses looking to progress in their career.

These may include further vocational qualifications, a range of higher education qualifications or other work-related education and training to support Continuing Professional Development.

Dental Nurses can undertake additional training in available advanced units, in areas including, for example: Orthodontic Nursing, Dental Radiography, Dental Sedation and Oral Health Education. 

Other opportunities include:

• Dental Technician

• Dental Health Educators/Oral Health Promotion Officers

• Dental Practice Managers and Receptionists

• Maxillofacial Prosthetists and Technologists

• Orthodontic Therapist
• Laboratory Technician
• Clinical Dental Technician
• Dentist

• or work within related healthcare roles such as Nursing and Radiography.

Further information and details can be found at: 

Further detailed information and advice on careers within the health sector can be found at https://heiw.nhs.wales/careers/ and https://www.gdc-uk.org/standards-guidance/standards-and-guidance/scope-of-practice

Dental Nurses play a vital preventive and educational role, advising on oral and dental health.

Dental Nurses may move into other dentistry associated roles such as Head Dental Nurse or Dental Nurse Team Leader or Dental Nurse Tutor.

Following appropriate further education and training, they may also train in other areas of dentistry and healthcare.

Equality and diversity

It is important that apprenticeship Pathways are inclusive and can demonstrate an active approach to identifying and removing barriers to entry and progression. Pathways should advance equality of opportunity between persons who share protected characteristics and those persons who do not as identified in the Equality Act 2010.

The Protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act are age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation. Marriage and civil partnership is also included although only in respect of the requirement to eliminate discrimination in employment.

Training providers and employers MUST also comply with the other duty under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that applicants are not discriminated against in terms of entry to the industry based upon those nine protected characteristics

The aim of the framework is to see the progression, of not just women, but of all under-represented groups. There should be open recruitment of Apprentices to the programme, which is available to all people, regardless of gender, ethnic origin, religion, age or disability who meet the stated criteria.

Information to help disabled students to understand the Equality Act has been produced by Disability Rights UK and can be found: https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/understanding-equality-act-information-disabled-students 

All partners involved in the delivery of the apprenticeship – providers, assessment centers and employers must be committed to a policy of equal opportunities and must have a stated equal opportunities policy and procedure.

Apprenticeships should have flexible entry and progression routes into professions which can support mid-career, career interchange and career returner opportunities.

This will help talent, regardless of background or qualifications to have the opportunity to develop and thrive.  This framework aims to tackle these issues.

It is equally important that we must increase the numbers of Welsh speakers in healthcare and improve access to services through the medium of Welsh. This will meet the Government expectation of More than Just Words and the Active Offer where people are offered and can receive their support through the medium of Welsh if they want to. 

Apprentices undertaking this pathway may also be adult learners who may have been away from education for a considerable period of time.  It is therefore important that the education/training provider delivering this pathway has support systems in place to maximise learners’ potential and to ensure that their educational needs are met by developing a personalised learning programme.  Healthcare apprentices undertaking this pathway must be made aware of all the learner support services available to them

There should be open recruitment of apprentices to the programme, which is available to all people, regardless of gender, ethnic origin, religion/belief, sexual orientation or disability who meet the stated selection criteria. Employers/providers must be able to demonstrate that there are no overt or covert discriminatory practices in selection and employment. 

All promotional, selection and training activities must comply with the following relevant legislation such as: 

The Equality Act 2010 

The Welsh Language Act 1993 

The Care Standards Act 2000 

Data Protection Act 1998 

Employment Right Act 1996 

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 

Human Rights Act 1998 

Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (Whistle Blowing Charter) 

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974-1986 

Amendment Sexual Discrimination Act 1976 

Employment responsibilities and rights

Employment Responsibilities and Rights (ERR) is no longer compulsory. 

Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of the Training Provider and Employer to ensure that the requirements of the pathway are delivered in accordance with the Welsh Government/Medr Apprenticeships Guidance.

Further information may be obtained from: Medr

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