Dental Nurse

Dental nurses support dentists in the healthcare of patients. Their work includes helping to prepare the dental surgery and ensuring that equipment and working areas are sterile. While the dentist examines and treats a patient, dental nurses help by performing tasks such as making sure the patient is comfortable, recording the dentist's observations, passing instruments, using a suction device to remove saliva and debris from the patient's mouth, preparing materials for fillings and tidying the surgery.

In some dental practices, dental nurses also work on the reception desk, answering the telephone, making appointments, dealing with paperwork, calculating the cost of treatment and taking payments. They could also be involved in taking deliveries and helping with stock control.

In hospital dentistry, dental nurses may sometimes help in the operating theatre.
For the Community Dental Service, they may work in a number of different places including health authority surgeries, mobile clinics, schools, residential homes or patients' own homes.

Dental nurses wear a uniform, surgical gloves, safety glasses and sometimes a mask when working with patients.

Entry level
Formal qualifications are not needed to begin training, but GCSEs/S grades or equivalent qualifications in English and biology can be an advantage.

Since autumn 2004, you must be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC) before you can practise. To qualify for this, you will need the National Certificate in Dental Nursing, NVQ/SVQ Level 3 in Oral Healthcare or a Certificate of Proficiency in Dental Nursing awarded by a recognised dental hospital.

Making the grade
There are several ways of training and studying for a qualification which will allow registration with the GDC. Most people join a general dental practice as a trainee, and learn on the job while studying for a qualification at evening classes or on day release.

You can also apply to join a dental hospital or the Community Dental Service as a student dental nurse, or train as a dental nurse in the armed forces.

Full-time courses in dental nursing last one or two years and are offered by some colleges and dental hospitals. Combining theory and practical work, the courses cover such topics as anatomy, physiology, the causes of decay and gum disease, control of infection, storage of drugs, preparing fillings, maintaining dental records and caring for patients.

Once qualified, you would be required to keep your skills and knowledge up to date through a programme of continuous professional development. You can also improve your career prospects by taking further qualifications in subjects such as oral health education, dental sedation nursing and dental anaesthetic nursing.

Personal qualities
Some patients are nervous about dental treatment, so it is important that you should be able to reassure them and help them feel relaxed. You must relate well to a wide range of people, be interested in healthcare and have good organisation skills.

Good manual dexterity, co-ordination and eyesight are all essential

Looking ahead
There are about 30,000 dental nurses working all over the UK. Most work in dental practices, while others work in the Community Dental Service or in hospitals. You could progress in a general dental practice to practice manager or you could help to train and supervise other dental nurses. In a hospital or the Community Dental Service, you could become a tutor dental nurse, or a senior or principal dental nurse in charge of a department or specialist area.

There is a clearly defined career structure for dental nurses in the armed forces.

Alternative suggestions
If you are interested in dental healthcare, you might also consider training as a dental hygienist, dental technician or dental therapist.

Take-home pay
You might well start as a trainee on the minimum national wage, increasing your salary with experience to around £17,000.

Effects
The hours you work would depend on your employer. With a general dental practitioner, for example, the hours may be 8-8.30am to 5.30-6pm. Many practices also have some evening and Saturday morning surgeries. Part-time work is sometimes possible. You may need to stand for much of the working day, and you should be prepared to work under pressure because dentists are usually very busy.

In hospital dentistry, you may need to work some nights and weekends. Hours in the Community Dental Service are more regular.

Sources of information
British Association of Dental Nurses: www.badn.org.uk
British Dental Association: www.bda-dentistry.org.uk
Dental Education Resources on the Web: www.derweb.co.uk
General Dental Council: www.gdc-uk.org
NHS Careers: www.nhscareers.nhs.uk

CRCI: JC