Dental Nursing

Framework:

Dental Nursing

Level:

3/4

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As a Dental Nurse you will provide support to the dental team and support to the patient. You may work in a variety of clinical environments and can progress into other dental professions. Once trained you can progress into other career pathways such as: Dental Therapists and Hygienists, Oral Health Promotion, Dental Practice Management or related healthcare roles, such as Nursing and Radiography.

Apprentices should:

• Show enthusiasm to work in Dental Nursing

• Have basic literacy, numeracy and communication skills on which the apprenticeship will build

• Have a suitable level of physical fitness to perform some aspects of the job roles

• Be willing to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check (this is needed as apprentices are likely to work with children, young people or vulnerable adults)

• Be flexible as there may be a requirement to work rotas

• Undertake an occupational health assessment and potential immunisations as per employer policy.

Employers look for health sector apprentices who are:

• Caring

• Conscientious

• Discreet

• Respectful

• Personable

You will also be expected to work in a team and carry out duties meticulously.    

Pathway options and levels

Further information

Duration

Level 3:  18 months

Level 4:  24 months

Progression routes

Level 3:  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.  

Dental Nurses may also move into other dentistry associated roles such as Head Dental Nurse or Dental Nurse Team Leader, Dental Nurse Tutors, Dental Hygienists or Therapists. Apprentices who wish to progress into Higher Education are encouraged to complete GCSEs in English and Maths. GCSE qualifications are widely recognised across the Higher Education Sector and support progression into healthcare undergraduate programmes.

Level 4:  Dental Nurses play a vital preventive and educational role, advising on oral and dental health. 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
• related healthcare roles such as Nursing and Radiography.

 

Qualifications

Level 3: Diploma in Dental Nursing/Diploma in the Principles & Practice of Dental Nursing

Level 4: Certificate in Higher Education in Dental Nursing

What are the entry requirements for this pathway?

All apprenticeship pathways in Wales have entry requirements.
If you are interested in undertaking this pathway – you need to have the following entry level qualification(s);

Level 3

There are no specific qualifications required for entry to this apprenticeship framework. However, Higher Education Institutions and training providers may have entry requirements for studying the combined qualifications listed in the framework. Potential Apprentices will need to be able to evidence that they are able to meet the academic requirements for the programme of study.

Level 3: 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 eg:

• Essential Skills Wales

• Foundation

Apprenticeship

• GCSEs

• GCEs

• Welsh Baccalaureate

• Welsh Baccalaureate with Principal Learning

• Other level 2 qualifications

Level 4

Level 4:  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:

• Employment in a dental setting during the course that enables the work-based learning component of the award to be fulfilled
• Agreement from their employer to support the applicant during the Award and ensure, in conjunction with the educational provider, effective mentoring whilst undertaking the work-based learning
• 5 GCSEs at grade C or above including Welsh or English, or;
• NVQ level 3, or;
• A/S level x2, or;
• A level x1, or;
• AVEC or BTEC

View full pathway

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