Apprentice Dental Nurse - Grays

The apprenticeship in dental nursing is a 12-month government-funded course by City & Guilds, a Level 3 Extended Diploma. Alongside your learning, your job role within the practice will entail assisting dentists, sterilising and preparing equipment, reception duties and supporting patient experience.

What you'll do

Provide efficient and reliable chair-side support to the dental surgery.

The day-to-day duties of a dental nurse can span across all areas of the practice and can include:

• Reception, including answering the phone and greeting patients
• Dealing with patient queries
• Taking payments
• Booking appointments and follow-ups
• Sterilising and preparing equipment for dentists
• Recording and dealing with patient records
• Supporting patients' wellbeing and dental experience
• Cleaning dental areas, including chairs
• Managing stock of equipment and supplies
• Any other duties to support the dentists and senior team to provide effective patient care

Training

• Dental Nurse (GDC 2023) Level 3 (A level) Apprenticeship Standard
• The training will take place at the dental surgery
• Functional Skills if required

Off-the-job training is on average 7 hours per week.

After the apprenticeship

• With experience, you may be able to move into jobs like team manager, team leader or dental practice manager
• With further training, you could become a dental therapist, helping a dentist carry out the more routine dentistry work
• You could also become a dental hygienist, helping people to look after their teeth and gums
• You might decide to train as an orthodontic therapist, helping dentists to improve the look and position of a patient's teeth

For more information on Dental Careers, please visit: https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/

Skills

• Communication skills
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Administrative skills
• Team working
• Non judgemental
• Patience
• Patient Care

Qualifications

• Desired: GCSE, English (grade 4)
• Desired: GCSE, Maths (grade 4)

Things to consider

• Passing a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• To get a Hepatitis B vaccine

About the employer

A healthcare provider that offers general dental services, from routine check-ups to more complex procedures like fillings and restorations

Apprenticeship details

• Course: Dental nurse (level 3), Health and science
• Apprenticeship level: Advanced (level 3)
• Training provider: HARRIET ELLIS TRAINING SOLUTIONS LIMITED
• Expected duration: 1 Year
• Hours: 30 hours a week. Working week: Monday - Friday, shifts to be confirmed, some evening and weekend work may be required depending on the rota.
• Start date: 11 November 2026
• Positions available: 1
• Wage: £12,480 a year