A dental nurse is an integral part of every dental team, maintaining the happiness of the patient, while helping the dentist perform procedures and treatments to the highest standards.
The smooth running of a practice is impossible without the aid of dental nurses, who provide a whole range of services from preparing dental materials to reassuring nervous patients. Capable of performing numerous different tasks, you are just as likely to find a dental nurse working at a computer, as you are to find them helping a dentist in the treatment room.
A dental nurse is required to maintain the cleanliness of the practice to the high standards demanded by the Department of Health and thereby stop the spread of infection and provide the perfect environment for dental procedures.
A dental nurse is also needed to:
- Maintain patient records.
- Provide advice and information for patients.
- Prepare and develop radiographs.
- Support their dental team during a medical emergency.
- Provide administrative tasks such as booking appointments.
- Administer local anaesthetics under the supervision of a Dental Surgeon.
- Take impressions with the aid of a Dental Surgeon or Registered CDT.
To become a dental nurse experience, qualifications and registration with the General Dental Council is needed before you can achieve the title, which requires a person of determination, intuition and understanding. This comprehensive training means a dental nurse can cope with numerous situations, whether asked to perform general administrative tasks, or help a dentist during a complex procedure.
If you have decided that dental nursing is a career path you would like to follow you must first obtain a qualification recognised by the General Dental Council.
Qualifications include:
- Certificate of Higher Educational in Dental Nursing-1 year programme
- Certificate of Proficiency in Dental Nursing
- NV Level 3 in Oral Healthcare
- SVQ Level 3 in Oral Healthcare
These courses can be studied full time or part time depending on your circumstances and are the best place to start if you are looking to become a dental nurse. Some dental nurses begin their education and training in a hospital, which allows them to gain experience within a medical field.
The role of a dental nurse is multi-layered and integral to the running of any dental practice and although it requires dedication and years of training it is a worthwhile and meaningful occupation to have.