A dental nurse is entrusted to care for and assist both the dentist and the patient. The primary responsibility of a dental nurse is prevention, helping to restore, maintain and improve oral health. Their role in dentistry is to ensure that patients are comfortable during appointments by assisting with x-rays, cleaning teeth, removal of tartar and examining teeth for signs of disease.
Dentist nurses may also help by providing patients with technical or promotional information about products, or techniques used by the dentist.
Read below to learn more about studying dental nursing in the UK and arrange a free consultation with SI-UK London today to begin your UK university application.
Studying as a Dental Nurse
As a dental nurse, individuals will be able to find work throughout the UK in both private and public healthcare settings, whether serving in a dental practice or as part of a hospital team such as an Emergency Dental Nurse.
Dental Nurse training does not end there. There are many different opportunities for development available, including working as a Dental Practice Manager, Dental Hygienist, Orthodontic Therapist or even in dental photography, where the role is highly enjoyable and rewarding due to the added perks of travelling.The average salary of a Dental Nurse is £25,000 gross per year which can exceed £35,000.
Dental Nurse apprenticeships, for students over the age of 16, eligible to work in the UK and not currently in full time education, are also available.
Dental Nurse Qualifications and Entry Requirements
To become a dental nurse, you will need to take a one-year full-time course or two years part-time.
If you choose the pathway of becoming a Registered Nurse first, and then move into dentistry as an allied health worker, you’ll be taking four mandatory modules during the final year of your degree and an additional two optional modules.
This can potentially fulfil the eligibility requirements to apply for certification as a dental nurse.
Full-time degree level courses may require A-levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications. An apprenticeship at NVQ level 3 in dental nursing is an additional way to gain the required qualifications in dental nursing.
The general entry requirements followed by popular UK universities providing dental nursing courses are:
- A levels – CDD
- UCAS points – 80 points to include 2 A levels or equivalent, with 32 points in a pure Science subject (calculate your UCAS points)
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) – MMP
- International Baccalaureate – 26
The English language requirement is an IELTS band of 7.0 with no component score below 6.5.
Top UK Universities for Dental Nursing
The top UK universities for Dental Nursing, according to the Guardian’s Dental Guide, are:
University of Aberdeen
This intensive course on Dental Nursing at the University of Aberdeen will integrate clinical training with face-to-face learning to educate and prepare dental nurses for employment in the modern dental industry.
The program is designed to teach students how to handle human anatomy, disorders of the body, materials used in treatment and instruments used for patients of interest.
- Course in focus: DipHE Dental Nursing
University of Manchester
The University of Manchester delivers the Dental Nursing course through the Central Manchester School for Dental Care Professionals (DCPs), a Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing degree for trainee dental nurses who are working in a dental clinical setting.
Manchester’s School for Dental Care Professionals (DCPs) are equipped and mimic the environment which exists in a real-life dental care sector. Throughout the course, students will be supported by a team of qualified staff who are competent and also have a wide range of experience in this profession.
- Course in focus: Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing
Study Dental Nursing Courses in the UK
If you want to learn more about Dental Nursing courses in the UK, book a free consultation with SI-UK London to begin your application or have any further questions answered.
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