Dental Nurse as a dental care professional supporting other oral health members across the full range of dental treatment. City and Guilds requires that the student be in a work based placement. The course will run for two years. The NVQ will be aimed at dental nurses who can work in variety of settings general dental practice, dental hospitals and the community dental practice. The student dental nurse’s role would range from reception duties and practice management to maintaining materials and equipment, cross infection control, support for the patient and the dentist during clinical procedures and oral health education.
This qualification has been designed with the support of the City and Guilds to meet the needs of dental nurse’s in training.
Course Structure
Learners will need to complete a total of 11 mandatory units to gain the full NVQ. These are as follows:
Ensure your own actions reduce the risk to health and safety
Reflect on and develop your own practice
Provide basic life support
Prepare and maintain environments, instruments, and equipment for clinical dental procedures
Offer information and support to individuals on the protection of their oral health
Provide chair side support during the assessment of patient’s oral health
Contribute to the production of dental radiographs
Provide chair side support during the prevention and control of periodontal disease and caries and the restoration of cavities
Provide chair side support during the provision of fixed and removable appliances
Provide chair side support during non surgical endodontic treatment
Provide chair side support during the extraction of teeth and minor surgery
Dental nursing plays a vital role in the health and dental profession today. Dental nurses provide close support and assistance to the dental surgeon in all aspects of patient care. As a dental nurse, one may work in a private practice, dental hospital or health board.
There are many opportunities for education and training, management practice and administration with the NVQ qualification. Qualified dental nurses may also obtain further qualifications in oral health education, dental sedation nursing, and dental anaesthetic nursing and they may also train to be a dental hygienist.
Qualified dental nurses will be included on the National Register, which allows them to follow post-qualification courses including Diploma in Dental Hygiene, Diploma in Dental Therapy, Diploma in Dental Technology and many more.
General Teaching Method
Initially two days a week then twice a week.
One weekdays 9AM-5:30PM (Theory teaching)
One weekdays for presentation and self study until you have a placement
(2 days a week)*
* Subject to change
Once you are on the placement then you will be attending tutorials twice a week.
Please note: College will assist overseas students finding placement.
Home students will have to find their own placements.
Books, Interactive CD-Roms etc will be available at the college for reference. College will arrange discounted study materials.
The College has its own newly fitted model dental lab for practical experience for the students.
Entry Requirement:
UK Student
To join this course, you must possess a good level of numeracy and written and spoken English. You
will then need to obtain/have a job offer as a trainee post in a dental surgery.
Overseas Applicant
A Level equivalent qualification and IELTS 6.0 minimum
Students must complete a full course of immunisation against the Hepatitis B virus and must have all childhood vaccinations done before the start of their clinical placement.
Dental Nurse as a dental care professional supporting other oral health members across the full range of dental treatment. City and Guilds requires that the student be in a work based placement. The course will run for two years. The NVQ will be aimed at dental nurses who can work in variety of settings general dental practice, dental hospitals and the community dental practice. The student dental nurse’s role would range from reception duties and practice management to maintaining materials and equipment, cross infection control, support for the patient and the dentist during clinical procedures and oral health education.