What you will do in your working day
The role includes:
* Working alongside the dentist taking instruction from them and responding in an appropriate manner
* Maintaining good infection control procedures and adhering to policies and protocols
* Ensuring cleanliness of surgery, equipment and instruments used and carrying out general housekeeping duties
* Dictate information from dentist and recording patient information correctly
* Arrange appointments, answering calls and inputting data on the computer
* Assist with administration tasks and ensure records are kept up to date and to maintain confidentiality at all times
* Dental nurses interact daily with patients and therefore you must be able to make patients feel welcome and offer reassurance to anxious patients endeavouring to make their experience as comfortable as possible.
The training you will be getting
* Level 3 Dental Nurse Apprenticeship Standard qualification, which includes:
* Level 2 functional skills in maths and English (if required)
* End-Point Assessment (EPA)
There will be limited sessions that will require college attendance at our Walsall Campus, during the training period. All other sessions remain virtual on a once weekly basis.
Full-time apprentices will typically spend 15 months on-programme (before the gateway) working towards the occupational standard, with a minimum of 6 hours per week off the-job training.
The purpose of the End-Point Assessment (EPA) is to test that an apprentice is fully capable of doing their job before they receive their apprenticeship certificate. It also helps to demonstrate that what an apprentice has learned can be applied in the real world.
EPA methods of examination examples:
Assessment method 1: Knowledge Test
Assessment method 2: Observation of Practice
Assessment method 3: Interview underpinned by a portfolio
The focus is now on the outcome of an apprenticeship and apprentices have to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours that employers have identified they need.
Training is virtual once per week however there are x3 taught sessions that will require mandatory college attendance. Notice of these will be provided upon enrolment.
What to expect at the end of your apprenticeship
Once qualified you can register as a dental nurse with the General Dental Council. Progression routes are available, and you can study further in dental related qualifications at Level 4:
* Radiography
* Oral Health Practitioner
* Sedation