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Dental nurse

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Healthcare
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Career outlook for dental nurse

UK Salary Ranges

Entry-level

£20,329

Experienced

£31,533

Currently employed in Scotland

4,900

Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would look after people when they visit the dentist and make them feel comfortable. You’d assist the dentist as they give treatments and help with other aspects of patient care.

You’d look after patients who are coming for a simple check-up or having advanced specialist treatment.

Patients may be nervous so you’d need to be calm and reassuring. You’d try to make sure that they are relaxed and comfortable at all times.

You would:

  • Tidy and prepare the dental surgery
  • Sterilise instruments
  • Keep areas in the surgery sterile
  • Pass instruments to the dentist, therapist or hygienist
  • Remove water and saliva from the patient’s mouth during treatment
  • Prepare materials, for example, to make fillings
  • Help the dentist record information about each patient
  • Check the stocks of dental materials

At a general dental practice, you may also help at the reception area, especially during busy periods.

This would involve booking appointments, taking payments for treatment, and greeting and reassuring patients.

You could work for the National Health Service (NHS) or in the private sector. You can see more about this role in the National Health Service on the Dental nurse page on the NHSScotland Careers website.

Working conditions

Hours

You would normally work from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. You may work outside of these hours if the practice you work for opens during the evening. Part-time work is sometimes available.

Environment

You would wear a uniform and surgical gloves for protection. Safety glasses and a mask are also used to reduce the risk of cross-infection.

UK employment status

Full-time

55%

Part-time

42%

Self employed

4%

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  • Positive attitude
  • Cooperating
  • Supporting
  • Reading
  • Verbal communication
  • Written communication
  • Empathising
  • Attention to detail
  • Taking responsibility

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Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Foundation Apprenticeships

Choosing a Foundation Apprenticeship as one of your subjects in S5 and S6 can help you get a head start with this type of job.

You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification (the same level as a Higher) plus valuable work placement experience and skills you can't learn in a classroom.

Interested? Find out what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.

Qualifications

You would need a dental nursing qualification (SCQF level 5), a Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) or work-based qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Dental Nursing (SVQ level 3).

Entry requirements to a Dental Nursing course are normally three to four subjects at National 4 or 5, including English and a science subject.

Requirements vary for entry to a job or Modern Apprenticeship as a trainee dental nurse in a dental practice, or NHS hospital Dental Service but some employers will require qualifications at SCQF level 4 or 5.

Useful subjects

  • Maths
  • English
  • at least one science subject

You will also need

To pass a Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Disclosure check.

Once in the job you can gain a relevant qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Dental Nursing (SCQF level 3).

Helpful to have

Qualifications that demonstrate understanding of health, wellbeing and care such as:

  • Health and Social Care (SCQF level 6)
  • SQA Wellbeing Award (SCQF level 3-5)