Dental Nursing National Diploma

Would you like to study and work at the same time to become a qualified Dental Nurse and do not have any previous experience or qualifications?

Firm Training offer students an exciting career opportunity by being able to obtain the National Diploma Qualification and register with the General Dental Council (GDC).

You will be able to study on our accredited learning programme and become qualified in just 12 to 18 Months. This combines the advantages of distance based learning to study at your own pace and the benefits of having a tutor in order to support you.

You will have the chance to earn whilst you learn as we will also assist you in searching for an employment placement within a dental practice on either a part time or full time basis

Qualification is subject to completing the Theory course, Record of Experience and passing the theory and practical examinations held.

Syllabus

• Health and Safety in the workplace
• Emergencies in the dental surgery
• Legal and Ethical issues in the Provision of Dental Care
• Anatomical Structures and Systems relative to Dental Treatment
• Oral Disease and Pathology
• Patient Care and Management
• Assessing Patients Oral Health Needs and Treating Planning
• Oral Health Promotion and Preventive Dentistry
• Restorative Dentistry
• Oral Surgery
• Orthodontic Procedures
• Dental Drugs, Materials, Instruments and equipment
• Pain and Anxiety Control in dentistry
• Radiography
• Communication
• Dental Reception
• HTM 01-05 and the CQC
• Diet in Dentistry

Someone with a keen interest in dentistry. You must be happy to work as part of a team and willing to learn and understand the science behind dentistry. You’ll be dealing with a broad range of people, each with their own characteristics and concerns so you’ll need to be tactful and friendly and able to offer advice and educate others. You will often need to follow instructions from the dentist.

A dental nurse supports the dentist in all aspects of patients’ dental care.

As a dental nurse, you may help with reception work and could help any member of the dental team - dentists, clinical dental technicians/technologists, hygienists and therapists – treat patients of all ages.

Some will be there for a check-up while others will have more complicated treatment. You’ll need to reassure people and put them at ease, while supporting the team in all aspects of patient care.

In a dental practice you will welcome patients and provide direct support with the treatment itself:

• Taking responsibility for the decontamination of instruments
• Maintaining dental operating equipment
• Ensuring that all relevant materials and supplies are in place
• Looking after patient records – including making notes when the dentist is examining a patient
• Working closely with the dentist, responding quickly to requests and generally keeping the surgery ready for use

You will also be responsible for ensuring high standards of cleanliness and control of infection. With extra training you could take x-rays and clinical photographs, take impressions, make models of teeth and apply fluoride varnish to prevent tooth decay.

No entry requirements or previous experience required

After becoming a qualified Dental Nurse, career progression can lead towards becoming a Hygienist, Dentist Therapist or other positions within the Dental Industry.