What does a Dental Nurse Do?
As a dental nurse your job is to support the dentist in every aspect of the patient‘s care. Your role will include preparing the correct instruments, mixing necessary materials and ensuring the patient is comfortable. You will also need to take notes from the dentist’s dictation for the patient’s records. After the patient has left the dental surgery, it will be your responsibility as a dental nurse to tidy the surgery and sterilises all of the instruments that have been used.
It is common in general dental practices, that as the dental nurse you may be required to assist with reception work - Taking appointments, handling any paperwork, taking payments, and meeting patients.
As a Dental nurse you may be employed in a general dental practice, a hospital, or possibly dental services in the community. There are even dental nurse careers available in all of the armed forces.
What are the entry requirements to become a dental nurse?
Normally there are no academic requirements in order to work as dental nurse trainee or a student dental nurse. In order to move on to become a fully qualified dental nurse, you will be required to have the right qualifications; therefore taking a dental nurse course will be necessary.
The skills needed to be a Dental Nurse
A Dental Nurse is an extremely busy job with lots of accountability. You are responsible to both the dentist and to the patient. The following personal skills or attributes would be useful:
Registering as a dental nurse
It is a requirement that you must be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC) in order to work as a dental nurse. The GDC regulates dental care professionals and puts patient safety at the centre of their work. In order to register with the GDC, you need to have successfully completed an approved qualification. All dental professionals must meet certain standards in order to get on and stay on their registers.
