An exciting opportunity to start your career as an Apprentice Dental Nurse in a friendly dental practice. You will work towards the Level 3 Dental Nurse Apprenticeship with Colchester Institute, attending college one day each fortnight. Duties include assisting the dentist, preparing instruments and maintaining a clean, organised surgery.
Wage: £16,224 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age.
Hours: Monday to Friday 8am – 5pm, with a 1‑hour lunch break. 39 hours a week.
Duration: 1 year 9 months.
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands‑on experience.
What you’ll do at work
* Assist the dentist with preparing instruments and equipment, mixing different materials as required and providing suction support.
* Cross‑infection control and decontamination.
* Chairside clinical treatments supporting the dentist.
* Processing of X‑rays.
* Accurate record keeping in line with GDPR.
* Central decontamination and reception duties (possible rotation).
* Provide chairside support during treatment.
* Mix and handle dental materials.
* Maintain the clinical environment including instruments and equipment.
* Manage patient anxiety appropriately, effectively, and safely.
* Assist in managing medical emergencies.
* Provide patients/carers with comprehensive, personalised preventive advice, instruction, and intervention.
* Support the management of acute oral conditions ensuring involvement of appropriate dental team members.
* Adopt an evidence‑based approach to clinical practice.
Training and Clinical Responsibilities
* Identify relevant and appropriate dental, oral, craniofacial, and general anatomy, recognising the diversity of anatomy across the patient population.
* Evaluate the health risks of prescribed, non‑prescribed and recreational drug use and misuse on oral and general health.
* Evaluate the scientific principles underpinning the use of materials and biomaterials, their limitations and selection, with emphasis on those used in dentistry.
* Identify the signs of abuse, neglect or emotional trauma, explaining local and national systems that safeguard the welfare of children and adults.
* Identify the signs of normal and abnormal facial growth, physical, mental and dental development milestones and explain their significance.
* Assess patients’ levels of anxiety, experience, and expectations in respect of dental care and oral health.
* Contribute to relevant special investigations and diagnostic procedures.
* Undertake orthodontic assessment.
* Obtain valid consent from patients, explaining all the relevant factors and taking into account the legal requirements where appropriate within scope of practice.
* Record an accurate and contemporaneous patient history.
* Accurately record dental charting as carried out by other appropriate registrants.
* Accurately record an oral health assessment.
* Prepare records, images, equipment and materials for clinical assessment.
* Process and manage dental radiographs and images.
* Identify changes in the patient’s reported oral health status and take appropriate action.
* Make arrangements for follow‑up care as prescribed by the operator.
* Identify and explain the risks within and around the clinical environment and manage them safely.
* Implement, perform and manage effective decontamination and infection control procedures according to current guidelines.
* Identify, assess and manage medical emergencies.
* Communicate effectively and sensitively, tailoring to context, by spoken, written and electronic means with all patients, including those whose first language is not English, using interpreters where necessary.
* Communicate effectively with the public and with colleagues from dental and other healthcare professions.
* Maintain contemporaneous, complete and accurate patient records in accordance with legal requirements and best practice.
* Communicate with care, compassion, empathy and respect in all professional interactions with patients, their representatives, the public and colleagues.
* Give feedback effectively to other members of the team.
* Respect the roles of dental and other healthcare professionals in the context of learning and working in a dental and wider healthcare team.
* Demonstrate effective team working and contribute to the team in providing dental care for patients.
* Manage, refer or delegate work according to the scope of practice of members of the dental team, in line with competence and professional practice.
* Take a patient‑centred approach to working with the wider healthcare team.
* Raise concerns appropriately about health, behaviour or professional performance.
* Comply with systems and processes to support safe patient care.
* Act in accordance with best practice guidelines, national and local clinical governance and health and safety requirements, and legal frameworks.
* Act with integrity and ensure your actions maintain the trust of colleagues, patients, and the public.
* Demonstrate personal accountability to patients, the regulator, the team and wider community.
* Work in partnership with colleagues to develop and maintain an effective and supportive environment which promotes the safety and wellbeing of the patient and dental team.
* Support patients to negotiate barriers and challenges that prevent sections of the population from accessing oral healthcare.
* Treat patients, members of the public and colleagues with dignity and respect and without discrimination.
* Support patients to make informed decisions about their care, making their interests your first concern.
* Demonstrate cultural competence, accepting and respecting the diversity of patients and colleagues.
* Provide the best possible outcome for your patients by acting as an advocate for their needs where appropriate.
* Speak up to protect others from harm.
* Evaluate the effectiveness of evidence‑based prevention at community and population level.
* Proactively address discriminatory language, behaviour and microaggressions from colleagues, patients and other professionals.
* Evaluate the role of health promotion in delivering health gain within the community.
* Evaluate and apply the evidence base in relation to the environmental impacts of common treatment methods and approaches to the delivery of oral healthcare.
* Contribute positively to the healthcare communities of which you are a part.
* Utilise effective feedback for professional development and self‑assessment.
* Demonstrate personal development planning, recording evidence and reflective practice.
* Effectively manage your own time and resources.
* Underpin all patient care with a preventive approach, taking account of patient compliance and self‑care to contribute to long‑term oral and general health.
* Working towards the Level 3 Dental Nurse (GDC 2023) Apprenticeship Standard.
* Fortnightly college sessions at Colchester Institute (Colchester Campus).
* During the course all students are observed regularly in the workplace, undertaking clinical duties and ensuring they are following safe working practice.
Where you’ll work
13A BROMLEY RD
COLCHESTER
ESSEX
CO4 3JE
Requirements
* GCSEs: 5 including Maths and English (grade 9‑4 / A* – C).
* GCSE in science (preferred).
* Ready to start apprenticeship in October; earlier start possible if available.
* DBS check required.
* Complete Hepatitis B vaccinations.
Skills
* Customer care skills.
* Initiative.
* Non‑judgemental.
* Trustworthy.
Other requirements
* Course commences in October but commencement of work could be earlier if the candidate is available – this can be negotiated individually depending on personal circumstances and commitments.
* The successful applicant will be required to undertake a DBS check and complete a course Hepatitis B vaccinations.
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