ABOUT THE ROLE
Dental Nurses provide assistance to Dentists or other dental professionals during dental procedures and at other times in dealing with patients.
Oral health is a top priority in today’s society and healthy teeth and gums are considered to be a basic right. Many diseases begin in the mouth, later leading to infections in other parts of the body. The pain brought about by poorly maintained or damaged teeth can make life unbearable in several treatable scenarios. Dentists and other dental professionals are the first line of defence and a Dental Nurse is a vital part of any dental practice. Dental Nurses must be on hand during tricky dental procedures to assist the dentist with manual tasks and those relating to the comfort of the patient. Outside of dental procedure, Dental Nurses prepare the surgery and are usually the first and last person to see the patient, collating information and setting them at their ease.
Dental nurses are dental care professionals and work as part of the dental team. A dental nurse supports the dentist in all aspects of patient care; this includes getting the appropriate instruments ready, mixing materials and ensuring patient comfort. They will also take notes from dentist’s dictation for records and once the patient has left, the dental nurse tidies the surgery and sterilises all of the instruments.
In general practice, sometimes the dental nurse may help with reception work – making appointments, taking payments, dealing with paperwork and meeting and reassuring patients. Dental nurses can be employed in general practice, hospitals or the community dental services and can also train as a dental nurse in the armed forces.
EMPLOYABILITY
A Dental Nurse is a busy job with a lot of responsibility attached to it – both to the patient and to the dentist. The following personal skills or attributes would be useful:
A great bedside manner. A visit to the dentist can be a nerve-racking experience for many, so a Dental Nurse needs to be both confident and reassuring
Good organisational skills are a must with such a variety of tasks to complete
Ability to work as part of a team. A Dental Nurse is there primarily to provide support
Ability to work under pressure. Dental procedures can be tricky affairs and a Dental Nurse has to be on the ball to see that everything goes smoothly
A sympathetic nature is vital as Dental Nurses provide care to a great variety of people including children and those with disabilities or special needs.
CAREER ENTRY
In order to work as a dental nurse, you must be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC) which regulates dentists and dental care professionals. In order to register with the GDC, you need to have successfully completed an approved qualification.
There are usually no academic qualifications needed to work as a trainee dental nurse, but in order to progress, you will need to study for an approved course in dental nursing. Part-time courses will typically require GCSEs at grade D-G (or equivalent) for entry, although others may require GCSEs at grade A-C (or equivalent) as a minimum. Full-time courses may require evidence of A’ level/AS level study.
Intending applicants should always check with the course provider for details of entry requirements.
In addition to evidence of academic ability, employers will expect a friendly, responsible attitude and positive approach to people and a willingness to study.
To work as a dental nurse, you must be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC) – see below – and in order to register, you need to have successfully completed a course approved by the GDC.
There are two ways to gain these qualifications.
One way is to secure a position as a trainee dental nurse – usually in a general dental practice – and then study on a part-time basis (day release or evenings) for the National Certificate awarded by the National Examining Board for Dental Nurses (NEBDN), NVQ level 3 in Dental Nursing or level 3 VRQ in Dental Nursing. These courses are run by some dental hospitals and further education colleges. The national certificate is awarded to dental nurses who have passed the examination and completed the equivalent of two years of full-time surgery experience.
Some NHS trusts may offer the chance to train through an apprenticeship in dental nursing.
The other way, is to do a GDC approved full-time course currently offered by a small number of universities – the Certificate of Higher Education in Dental Nursing is offered by Portsmouth University and Cardiff University; the Certificate in Higher Education in Dental Nurse Practice is offered by Teesside University; Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry runs a Diploma in Dental Nursing and the University of Northampton, a Foundation Degree in Dental Nursing.
EMPLOYERS AND SALARIES
Usually a Dental Nurse operates within a Dental Practice, which includes a surgery for procedures, a waiting room, an office for admin and perhaps other rooms reserved for procedures such as X-rays. Alternatively, Dental Nurses may work within hospitals, army clinics, mobile clinics, care homes or patients’ own homes in the case of community schemes.
Hours worked by Dental Nurses are typically 8am or 9am to 5pm or 7pm. Emergency clinics stay open later and there are 24 hour dental clinics.
Due to sharp dental instruments, specialised equipment and the risk of infection, there are some dangers in the workplace. Official guidelines must be adhered to in order to minimise these.
A Dental Nurse’s job is typically stressful due to the range of tasks and roles they must perform. There is pressure to perform efficiently and always with regard to the patient’s emotional wellbeing. Much of the day is spent on one’s feet so the job can be physically demanding as well as emotionally. Being a Dental Nurse is not a job for the lazy but would suit individuals motivated by challenge and the chance to really help people where needed.
There are no set guidelines for a Dental Nurses’ salary. Salary is whatever the practice in question decides to pay and so can differ widely, although it is linked to the location of the practice and level of experience. Here are some typical salaries.
At entry level Dental Nurse’s pay starts at the minimum wage, around £14,000 per annum.
An experienced Dental Nurse can earn £17,000 to £20,000 per annum.
A senior Dental Nurse may earn up to £26,000 (or more depending on the surgery) per annum.
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