Course Detail

The Course

If you’re interested in oral health and patient care and have a caring disposition this career could be perfect for you. Dental nurses assist dentists with all aspects of patient oral health care, from patients coming for a simple check-up to having advanced specialist treatment.

The Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing qualification includes the following:

• Reducing risks to health and safety in the dental setting
• First aid essentials
• Role and responsibilities of a dental nurse
• Prepare and maintain environment instruments and equipment for dental procedures
• Principles of infection control in the dental environment
• Provide chairside support for the assessment of patient’s oral health
• Contribute to the production of dental images
• Provide chairside support for the prevention and control of periodontal disease and caries and the restoration of cavities
• Provide chairside support for the assessment of the provision of fixed and removable prostheses
• Provide chairside support for non-surgical endodontic treatment
• Provide chairside support for the extraction of teeth and minor oral surgery
• Provide information and support to patients on the protection of their oral health
  

As part of the course, you will learn about undertaking the following tasks:

• Selecting and offering instruments to the dentist, therapist or hygienist
• Preparation, including mixing various dental materials, for all types of dental treatments
• Assisting with minor oral surger
• Ensuring that the patient is relaxed, comfortable and supported at all times, patient care is important 
• Chairside support for the dentist/clinicians

Other duties you may undertake will include:

• Preparation of an infection controlled environment
• Waste disposal of clinical/hazardous and special waste products
• Sterilising all dental instruments and equipment
• Awareness of legislations relating to your role
• Maintaining a safe working environment
• Teamwork, including awareness of basic first aid and life support
• Contributing to the production of dental images
• Ensuring that stock levels are maintained

You can become a dental nurse by being employed as a trainee with a dental practice. Along with on-the-job training, you will attend Cheshire College – South & West for one evening a week for up to eighteen months. You will need to be assessed in the workplace by an appropriately trained assessor and successfully complete tutorials and online Evolve exams. To prove evidence of knowledge you will complete a portfolio of the various types of required evidence. The qualification we offer is approved by the General Dental Council (GDC). Once qualified, you will be able to register on the professional register at the GDC.