The Dental Nurse Apprenticeship: A 5-minute guide for Dental Practices

Looking to upskill your Dental Nurse or benefit from a brand new apprentice? We’ve put together a 5-minute guide for busy practice managers!

Here, we're covering the essentials of the Level 3 Apprenticeship in Dental Nursing, providing you with the key details you need to make an informed decision.

Before you read on, you should know that Tempdent and are the largest and top ranked apprenticeship provider in England for the Dental Nurse apprenticeship. We have over 1000 apprentices learning with us at any time, with an incredible pass rate of 99.8%.

You and your learner can trust in Tempdent.

Level 3 Apprenticeship in Dental Nursing Overview

• Duration: 18 months
• Fee: Government funded
• Learning: Blended learning (in-practice and online)
• Accreditation: City & Guilds
• Accessibility: Available across the UK
• Enrolment requirements: Candidates must be employed as Dental Nurses (we can help you find the perfect candidate if you don’t already have someone in place)
• Start dates: January, April, July, October

View the full course overview here.

Learner Outcomes

• Qualifications: City & Guilds Level 3 Extended Diploma in Dental Nursing, and Functional Skills in English & Maths (unless exempt)
• End Point Assessment: Includes a Synoptic Test, Observation, and Interview

Your practice will gain a Dental Nurse who has completed the most up-to-date training and assessments in:

• Health and safety legislation
• Infection prevention and control
• Dental and regional anatomy, oral health assessments and treatment planning
• Dental environment preparation and operator support
• Medical emergencies
• The latest radiography legislation including taking, processing, storing and quality assuring radiographs
• Preparing the clinic for periodontal, restorative, fixed and removable prosthetic procedures
• Understanding endodontic, extraction and minor oral surgery procedures
• Understanding the theoretical causes, progression and management of oral diseases

Course benefits (for you and your apprentice)

• Blended learning: Our tried and tested approach sees a 99.8% pass rate. Apprentices learn through webinars, interactive content and one-to-one tutor and assessor time to guide them through to successful completion.
• Extensive curriculum: Apprentices gain experience with all dental nursing responsibilities, becoming well-rounded and confident dental professionals, an asset to your team.
• On-the-job training: Apprentices learn on the job, in your practice, minimising disruption and maximising impact for you and your patients. Practices can develop a pipeline of skilled, loyal dental staff familiar with your unique operations.
• Employee retention: Offering individuals qualifications and career development through our apprenticeships can boost employee morale and reduce staff turnover.
• Community access: Tempdent apprentices gain free membership to the Association of Apprentices, providing additional peer support and learning resources.

Tempdent takes care

When an apprentice enrols on our course, we ensure they are fully supported and enable them to reach their potential through:

• Dedicated Tutors and Assessors: Each apprentice is assigned a tutor and workplace assessor to guide them through their studies and assessments.
• Educational welfare: Ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment.
• Supervised exams: Eliminating the apprentice’s need to travel.
• 24/7 learning platform: Access to our interactive learning platform anytime, anywhere.

Incentives for Dental Practices – Fully funded apprenticeships

Through our unique partnership with NHS England, we can utilise their levy funding to cover apprenticeship costs, saving some practices over ￡6,000.

How to enrol an apprentice

Enrolment is straightforward via an online meeting. Our team will guide you and your apprentice through the process and provide all necessary resources for the next course date. We also offer drop-in sessions enabling apprentices to ask any questions before the course begins.

No Candidate? No Problem!

Tempdent offers a free recruitment service to help you find the perfect apprentice. Contact our team here.

Get in touch today

Invest in the future of dental care with Tempdent’s Level 3 Dental Nurse Apprenticeship. For more information and to start the enrolment process, please contact our team or complete the enrolment form.

Transform your dental team with the UK's leading dental apprenticeship program. Trust in Tempdent to help you thrive.