Open days in the Dental Nursing Academy will provide you with insights of the course and the role of a Dental Nurse. You will be able to explore the career and work environment through presentations and practical demonstration. You will have the opportunity to meet and engage with the Academy staff, tutors, previous and current apprentices. If you are unable to attend an open day session, then we will also be running a virtual Q&A where you can join an online meeting to ask the Dental Nursing Academy any question you have about the course. Please secure your space at one of the sessions by booking a ticket with the links below.
Monday 16th March 9am - 1pm Open Day
Wednesday 18th March 11am -12pm Virtual Q&A Session
Thursday 19th March – 13.00 – 17.00 Open Day
Guys & St Thomas' NHS Trust is looking to recruit Apprentice Dental Nurses to participate in our 18 month pre-registration training programme beginning September 2026. Successful candidates will be working towards obtaining the Integrated Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing apprenticeship, awarded by NCFE.
Applicants will be invited to an Assessment day which will take place on Monday 20th April 2026 .
Closing date: 29/03/2026
This is a full-time training course that runs from Monday – Friday, 8.45am – 5.15pm.
The training will be a mixture of theoretical teaching in the classroom setting and the remaining time will be spent on rotations to the various clinical departments and specialities. The successful candidates will be training alongside qualified dental nurses with specialist knowledge and skills to support patients to ensure a positive patient experience. Dental nurse apprentices will be expected to attend all classroom teaching sessions and continue their studies in their own time
The post holder (Apprentice) will train as part of the dental team and will be expected to undertake a wide range of dental nursing duties under the supervision of a qualified dental nurse and dentist on both the Guys & St Thomas' sites and across all specialities moving departments as per the learning timetable.
The post holder (Apprentice) will also attend set classroom sessions as part of their training.
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK's best known hospitals – Guy's, St Thomas', Evelina London Children's Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield – as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation. The Dental Institute comprises three components:
* The Dental Hospital of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust,
* The Dental Hospital of King's NHS Foundation Trust
* King's College London Dental Institute
The Institute represents a significant management challenge as its activities
cross both the NHS and the University sector. The Dental Institute is
accountable to each of its parent Trusts and the post holder, in conjunction
with the Clinical Director, is expected to ensure that the clinical services
delivered (by both staff and students) meet NHS standards of practice, and
specific Trust standards.
The Dental Institute is based on both the Guy's and St Thomas campuses; both sites offer modern facilities for the care of patients, teaching and research.
The Dental Institute is committed to becoming the major university hospital in the UK and to staying in the forefront of patient care, teaching and research. The Dental Hospital and Institute aim to provide excellence in the delivery of oral and dental care, training and education.
Act in a professional manner during work hours.
As a Dental Nurse Apprentice, you will need good work ethics and be able to support & communicate with patients, carers and other dental care professionals.
Apprentice Dental Nurses will be under the supervision of qualified dental nurses whilst gaining experience in the departments of the hospital.
Provide chair side nursing care and close support during all dental procedures to include: preparing instruments and equipment, aspirating, irrigating, retracting and protecting dental soft tissue
Mix the correct quantity of impression material, cement, cavity lining, permanent and temporary restorative materials, according to the manufacturer's instructions ensuring that they are used to best effect and ensure correct levels of stock are maintained.
Demonstrate oral hygiene techniques to the patient (under the direction and supervision of the dentist) instructing them to adopt an effective health care programme to prevent the occurrence of dental disease.
Ensure the safe and effective decontamination processes of instruments and equipment ready for use within the decontamination area of the department. Prevent cross infection or damage to instruments and equipment.
To ensure confidentiality of any information relating to any patient within the hospital according to the Trust Confidentiality Policy.
The post holder will attend both theory and practical teaching sessions, tutorials and portfolio development sessions to ensure that you receive maximum benefit from the training provided.
Co-operate with your trainers and assessors in the completion of portfolios, assessment record, projects and assignments, which are designed to help you learn and show your competence as a dental nurse.
Attend all personal review sessions to enable you to discuss your progress and identify any developmental needs, so that you can continue to improve.