Dental Nurses

Dental nurses prepare patients for, and assist with, dental examinations, prepare and sterilise instruments and maintain case records.

Tasks

• Prepares patient for examination
• Prepares and sterilises instruments and follows guidelines to maintain sterile conditions within the surgery
• Hands required equipment and medication to dentist during examination
• Assists with minor treatment, such as preparing materials for fillings
• Removes water and saliva from patient’s mouth during treatment
• Maintains records, processes and mounts x?ray films and undertakes reception duties.

Entry Requirements

Entry is most common with GCSEs/S grades. Training is available both off- and on-the-job. Most entrants work towards the National Certificate for Dental Nurses.