Dental nURSING
useful links
https://www.dental-nursing.co.uk/
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/working-health/working-nhs/nhs-constitution
https://www.gdc-uk.org/education-cpd/quality-assurance/recent-inspections/dental-nursing
https://www.bupa.co.uk/dental/dental-care/practices?loc=
Job Profiles
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/dental-team/roles-dental-team/dental-nurse
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/dental-nurse
https://www.myworldofwork.co.uk/my-career-options/job-profiles/dental-nurse
Dental Hygienist
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/dental-hygienist
Click below for related career areas :
Dentistry news / current issues
what is a dental nurse?
A dental nurse supports the dentist in all aspects of patients’ dental care.
You may help with reception work and could help any member of the dental team - dentists, clinical dental technicians/technologists, hygienists and therapists – treat patients of all ages.
Dental Nurse- Entry Requirements
Entry requirements
You can usually work as a trainee dental nurse without academic qualifications but to progress to being a qualified dental nurse, you'll need to study for a course in dental nursing, either part or full time, that is approved by the General Dental Council. Exact course requirements will vary from provider to provider, but a minimum 2 GCSEs (4/C grade or above) in English language and maths or a science subject are usually required for part-time courses.
Full-time degree level courses may require A-levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications.
A level 3 apprenticeship in dental nursing is an additional way to gain the required qualifications in dental nursing. Look on NHS jobs or the find apprenticeship service on the gov site.
Courses include:
Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing
T level for Dental Nursing
Courses will combine full-time study with work experience in a dental surgery.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level
example interview questions
These questions are only a guide for things to think about for an interview :
Tell me about yourself
Why would you like to work for our company?
Why dental nursing?
What interests you about a career in this field?
Why do you feel you are suitable for the role of a dental nurse?
What skills and qualities does a dental nurse need?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Discuss your work experience
You may be asked ethical questions about the sector: e.g. How can the sugar tax tackle dental disease?
What do you know about the General Dental Council - why is it important?
Do you know of any current issues in this sector?
Have you got any questions?
For more information :
https://www.smilewisdom.co.uk/elearning/student-resources-interview/
https://uk.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/dental-nurse-interview-questions
Competency-based interview questions often start in similar ways, such as:
“Tell me about a time when...”
“Give me an example of...”
“Describe an instance where you’ve had to...”
Competency Based questions could include :
Describe a situation in which you led a team.
Tell me a time when you worked as part of a team.
Tell me a time where you dealt with an angry customer.
Give an example of a time you handled conflict in the workplace.
Tell me about a time when your communication skills improved a situation.
Give me an example of a challenge you faced in the workplace and tell me how you overcame it.
Give an example of a situation where you solved a problem in a creative way.
Tell me about a time that you made a decision and then changed your mind.
Tell me about a time when you achieved success even when the odds were stacked against you.
Application/ Interview Support
NHS Dentist information
The nhs values
You need to be aware of the NHS Values : https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/working-health/working-nhs/nhs-constitution
So what are the values? There are six values that all staff – everyone from porters, physiotherapists, nurses, paramedics and gardeners to secretaries, consultants, healthcare scientists and phlebotomists – are expected to demonstrate:
working together for patients. Patients come first in everything we do
respect and dignity. We value every person – whether patient, their families or carers, or staff – as an individual, respect their aspirations and commitments in life, and seek to understand their priorities, needs, abilities and limits
commitment to quality of care. We earn the trust placed in us by insisting on quality and striving to get the basics of quality of care – safety, effectiveness and patient experience right every time
compassion. We ensure that compassion is central to the care we provide and respond with humanity and kindness to each person’s pain, distress, anxiety or need
improving lives. We strive to improve health and wellbeing and people’s experiences of the NHS
everyone counts. We maximise our resources for the benefit of the whole community, and make sure nobody is excluded, discriminated against or left behind.
Test your values with an e-tool
Health Education England has a free online tool to champion the values and behaviours of the NHS. The tool will show you some videos of staff working in various situations and ask you questions about how you would have handled the same situation. You'll then get an assessment report to show you how you've done.
BUPA
Bupa Dental Care is a leading provider of NHS and private dental services, dedicated to giving our patients better smiles and better health. We have nearly 500 practices across the UK and Ireland, providing dental care for all the family, from check-ups and general dentistry, to cosmetic treatments and surgical procedures. Our team of over 2,500 dental professionals includes general dentists and a network of dental specialists. We know that good dental health will help you feel your best every day. So, we make high-quality dental care more available to everyone, with a wide choice of treatments across 100’s of practices and payment options available to help you spread the cost.
Patient care is central to everything we do; we constantly strive to improve our services and offer the best possible customer experience. 84% of our patients say we're friendly and helpful1. We’re regulated by the CQC (Care Quality Commission) in England and other relevant bodies in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
For more information : https://www.bupa.co.uk/dental/dental-care
Career Videos
Meet Abbey, a dental nurse