Dental Nursing Practitioner Level 3
What is the Course About?
This qualification allows learners to learn, develop and practice the skills required for employment and/or career progression in Dental Nursing.
This qualification is designed to prepare trainee Dental Nurses in the foundations of dental nursing so they can demonstrate the required standards in terms of knowledge, skills and behaviours. Upon achievement of the qualification, they can apply to register with the General Dental Council (GDC) as a Dental Nurse Practitioner. This qualification is available across the United Kingdom and Isle of Man.
The Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing is recognised by the GDC as meeting their Standards for Education and appropriately preparing learners for professional practice.
On successful completion you will be allowed to use the post nominals RDN, (Registered Dental Nurse, Registered Denal Nurse Practitioner) and/or City & Guilds (Year).
City & Guilds has extensive experience of developing qualifications to support dental nurses to apply to the General Dental Council for registration on the professional register.
Unit 1 Preparing for professional practice in dental nursing
This unit will introduce the roles and responsibilities of a dental nurse, and the essential attributes and behaviours required to work within the legislative framework in this professional role. Additionally, it will enable the dental nurse to develop skills in reflective practice, communication and patient-centred care that are required throughout their career.
Unit 2 Health and safety practices in the dental setting
This unit introduces learners to the health and safety practices relevant to the dental setting. This includes understanding of the range of health and safety legislation and the impact of legislation on working practices. It also covers the understanding of policies and procedures, and the application of safe working practices in the workplace to support health and safety.
Unit 3 Prevention and control of infection in the dental setting
The aim of this unit is for learners to develop an understanding of the principles of infection control within a dental setting. The unit considers infectious diseases, signs and symptoms, and their routes of transmission. The importance of appropriate levels of decontamination and ways to achieve this in the dental setting. Learners will develop the practical skills to create and maintain a hygienic and safe clinical environment.
Unit 4 Recognising and supporting actions during first aid and medical emergencies
The aim of the unit is for learners to develop underpinning knowledge to enable the recognition of medical emergencies and demonstrate skills in supporting effective first aid and treatment of medical emergencies. Learners will develop an understanding of the role of trained responders including the administration of emergency drugs, use of emergency equipment, record keeping and infection control.
Unit 5 The safe use of ionising radiation to produce quality radiographic images
The aim of the unit is to enable the learner to develop the knowledge and skills needed to carry out their duties relating to dental radiography. Learners will understand current legislation relating to radiography in addition to the principles and techniques of taking, processing, storing and quality assuring radiographs. Learners will also develop skills on processing methods used in their clinical environment.
Unit 6 Dental and regional anatomy, oral health assessments and treatment planning
This unit introduces learners to dental and regional anatomy. The unit then focuses on preparing the dental environment and supporting the operator during an oral health assessment. Learners will develop understanding of how medical conditions inform treatment planning and will demonstrate the ability to complete dental charts and maintain contemporaneous records.
Unit 7 Provide support for the control of periodontal disease and caries, and the restoration of cavities
This unit introduces the learner to the theory of causes, progression, and management of oral disease. This unit will also enable learners to gain the knowledge and skills required to prepare the clinical environment and assist with various periodontal and restorative procedures to provide appropriate patient care.
Unit 8 Provide support during the stages of prosthetic treatments
The aim of this unit is for the learner develop the knowledge and skills to understand the range of fixed and removable prostheses, when and how these are used in dentistry. This unit will also reflect the learner’s practical skills and understanding of how to prepare the clinical environment for the stages of fixed and removable prostheses, and the appropriate support for patient-centred care.
Unit 9 Provide support during the stages of endodontic procedures
The unit aim is to understand the various types of endodontic treatments and their application. Learners will gain an understanding of the possible complications associated with providing endodontic treatments. This unit will also reflect the learner’s practical skills and understanding of how to prepare the clinical dental environment for endodontic treatment and the appropriate support for patient centred care.
Unit 10 Provide support during extractions and minor oral surgery
The unit aim is to is to understand extractions and the various types of minor oral surgery, including the possible complications associated with providing these treatments. This unit will also reflect the learner’s practical skills and understanding of how to prepare the clinical dental environment for extractions and minor oral surgeries, understanding the appropriate support for patient-centred care.
Unit 11 Scientific and practical information to support the patient’s oral and physical health
This unit develops knowledge of providing patients with oral hygiene information and looks at how national campaigns and communication can be applied to provide information to support patients. Learners will develop the knowledge and skills required to provide patients with health information and advice tailored to their needs.
Will I need a DBS check for this course?
Yes – To be carried out by the Dental Practice Employer.
Will I need any specific resources, uniform and/or kit?
Uniform and Name Badge will be provided by the Dental Practice Employer.
What are the days and hours of the course?
You will be required to attend one evening per week for 3 hours from 6pm – 9pm.
Will I undertake work experience as part of the course?
You will be required to be employed within a dental practice for a minimum of 16 hours chairside in surgery.
Opportunities to visit UCM
Useful links
UCM Course Lecturer Chris Forrest. RDH, RDT.
chris.forrest@ucm.ac.im
UCM Admissions
applications@ucm.ac.im
The British Association of Dental Nurses
www.badn.org.uk
Society of British Dental Nurses
www.sbdn.org.uk
General Dental Council
Dental nursing
What are my progression and career options?
Practice manager
If you've been working as a dental nurse for some time and have extensive experience, you could consider becoming a practice manager. They manage finances, direct staff, deal with patients and their concerns and ensure that hygiene standards are met. Whilst this role involves moving away from dental nursing and taking on all aspects of running the business it can be an extremely rewarding job progression. Seeing your staff happy and the dental practice growing reflects a good practice manager.
Clinical trainers
Clinical trainers are responsible for the training and development of trainee dental nurses. They provide them with the skills to work on their own, as well as mentoring their progression through the role:
• Courses develop their theory knowledge, clinical skills, and professional practice.
• Mentoring and coaching provide guidance on how to perform tasks and give alternatives and suggestions of improvement for trainees.
• You will need to be able to coach staff effectively, so they feel confident in carrying out their work safely and efficiently.
• You will need good communication skills so that you provide appropriate feedback to each trainee.
Specialisations for dental nurses
If you wish to be more involved in the patient journey you could further train to enable the undertaking of certain procedures on your own. Generally, acquiring the specialisation qualification will also mean an increase in pay.
Radiography
If you become a radiography specialised dental nurse you will be able to take and interpret various types of x-rays under the dentist’s prescription. Such a position is very useful in increasing efficiency in the practice especially in specialised ones like orthodontics.
Oral health educator
This is suited for dental nurses passionate about oral health education. Oral health educators help patients to improve and maintain oral hygiene to various types of patients by adapting communication and advice to the specific needs of the patient
Fluoride varnish application
With this qualification you will be able to apply fluoride varnish on patients teeth under the prescription of a dentist or as part of a dental health programme. This can be in the dental practice or within a community-based programme.
Dental implants
If you have a particular interest in surgery, implant dentistry might be an option for you. This area of dentistry specialises in surgical procedure together with expertise to restore dentition. The reason that patients may need an implant is caries, trauma or malignancy.
Dental sedation
Patients sometimes cannot have dental treatment in the dental practice because they are too anxious or have phobia. With dental sedation they have medication which helps relax and enable them to be treated. Most of the dental sedation is performed in the community which involves more members of the team to ensure patients are monitored closely during the procedure and afterwards.
Orthodontic dental nurse
This area of dentistry specialises in alignment of the teeth and jaws and any dental treatments will be performed by dentists. It is an area which requires a great deal of organisation and attention to detail as you will be handling lots of small objects like brackets that are stuck to the teeth. Here you will see predominantly children of various ages so it’s perfect for any that enjoy working with young patients.
How will I be assessed?
Portfolio of Evidence of Coursework and Observations
End of Year 1 – Online Multiple-Choice Exam
End of Year 2 – Online Multiple-Choice Exam
1 Hour Practical Observation
Entry requirements
The qualification is suitable for Learners aged 16+ who are currently employed as a trainee Dental Nurse. It is delivered and assessed in English. Learners must be sufficiently fluent in written and spoken English to communicate effectively with patients, their relatives, the dental team, and other healthcare professionals in the UK. (GDC Standards for the Dental Team, 2.1.2)
Learners must also be able to meet the work-based clinical requirements of the Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) by being employed as trainee Dental Nurses DBS Check by the Employer Legally allowed to work in the UK, IOM or Channel Islands This is a health science diploma consisting of theory and academia equivalent to ‘2’ A-Levels and holds UCAS points. It is strongly recommended to have GCSE English Literature or English Language and Maths at Grade C or above. GCSE Science is beneficial although not necessary. (equivalent qualifications accepted including function skills/key skills).
Conduct, fitness to practise and raising concerns
Learners undertaking this qualification are expected to maintain a high standard of professionalism and conduct themselves in line with the GDC’s Standards for the Dental Team and City and Guilds Learner Conduct Policy. If UCM or City and Guilds, as the Awarding Organisation, identify a failure to meet the appropriate standards of professionalism, there may be an obligation to report the incident to the GDC, which could affect current or future registration as a dental professional. Learners must adhere to the Student Fitness to Practise Policy.