Dental Nurse Apprentice AZEEM MIRZA

What you will do in your working day

The role of a Dental Nurse is to assist the dentist with all clinical aspects of the surgery.

This includes but is not limited to:

• Greeting and caring for all patients in a polite and courteous manner at all times
• Work closely with the dentist in a professional and appropriate manner
• Provide chair side assistance during all dental procedures
• Update computer records and taking notes
• Cleaning surgeries to a high level, maintaining strict cross-infection controls
• Preparing instruments and materials during treatments

You will be earning whilst learning during your apprenticeship. The dental practice will give you all of the practical knowledge you will need in order to qualify as a dental nurse and the training provider (Harriet Ellis) will teach you all of the theory side.

Your study will be online based with weekly teaching sessions and off-the-job training given to you and paid for by your employer.

The training you will be getting

The Level 3 Dental Nurse Apprenticeship offers employment within a dental practice with an accompanying assessment and skills development programme. It will develop the skills, knowledge, and behaviours of the learner to operate competently in all aspects of clinical responsibilities.

It will also provide you with the relevant qualification to apply for professional registration as a dental nurse to the General Dental Council (GDC).

Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment.

What you will study:

• Cross infection
• Anatomy
• Radiography
• Oral hygiene
• Orthodontics
• Restoration
• Legislation
• First aid
• Health and safety

You will complete on and off-the-job training whilst you are fully supported throughout, progressing to gateway and endpoint assessment.

Functional Skills in maths and English at Level 2 is available to be studied alongside the apprenticeship if you do not have GCSEs or Functional skills or equivalent at Level 2 already.

For more information, please visit the training provider's website at:

What to expect at the end of your apprenticeship

• A great opportunity to be trained and potentially secure long-term employment with an employer who wishes to develop your knowledge and skills
• A good route into dental hygiene, dental therapy or dental cosmetics with further training
• Gaining a qualification offers excellent career progression into possibly moving into a team leader, manager or dental practice manager position