Apprenticeship training course

Dental nurse (integrated) (level 3)

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Information about Dental nurse (integrated) (level 3)

Assisting other dental health professionals, providing chair side support and a high level of patient care.

• Knowledge, skills and behaviours:
  View knowledge, skills and behaviours

  Knowledge

  • Know and understand the General Dental Council Scope of Practice and Standards for the Dental Team for your role as a dental nurse and that of others in the team
  • Know and understand legislation, policy and procedures related to your role as a dental nurse
  • Know and understand the wider dental and healthcare system that dental nurses work in
  • Know and understand the principles relating to evidence-based approaches to learning, clinical, professional practice and decision-making
  • Know and understand the basic principles of a population healthcare approach including safeguarding, oral and general healthcare and your duty of care
  • Know and understand how to raise concerns as described in the current General Dental Council guidance
  • Know and understand dental and regional anatomy
  • Know and understand the respiratory and circulatory system
  • Know and understand legal and ethical responsibilities involved in protecting and promoting the health of individual patients
  • Know and understand duty of candour
  • Know and understand the principals of preventative dentistry
  • Know and understand a range of communication methods, including verbal and non-verbal, listening skills, being aware of the barriers to communication and of how to check you have been understood
  • Know and understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality and protecting all data relating to patients and their treatment
  • Know and understand the importance of gaining patient consent
  • Know and understand the equipment, instruments and materials used to provide chairside support to dental professionals, and operate in the clinical environment
  • Know and understand how to assess, reduce and manage risks as outlined in current best practice guidelines
  • Know and understand how to raise concerns that affect the running of the clinical environment in line with local policy and procedures
  • Know and understand the potential routes of transmission of infectious agents in dental practice
  • Know and understand the mechanisms for the prevention of infection
  • Know and understand the scientific principles of decontamination and disinfection and their relevance to health & safety
  • Know and understand local infection control protocols and your own responsibilities
  • Know and understand the appropriate materials for different treatments
  • Know and understand how to prepare materials in line with manufacturers recommendations
  • Know and understand Health & Safety legislation relating to dental materials and other medication
  • Know and understand the importance of maintaining accurate and current patient records in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements
  • Know and understand the principles of information governance
  • Know and understand the scientific principles of medical ionising radiation
  • Know and understand the statutory regulations in relation to radiography
  • Know and understand the different types of radiographs used in dentistry including how to process and store them
  • Know and understand contributing factors that can impact on oral and general health
  • Know and understand a range of conditions that could contribute to medical emergencies
  • Know and understand the principles of First aid in the workplace
  • Know and understand the regulatory requirements regarding documentation of medical emergencies and first aid incidents
  • Know and understand your own competence and limitations in dealing with medical emergencies
  • Know and understand ways to maintain your professional knowledge and competence including reflecting on your own practice
  • Know and understand the importance of appraisal, training and ongoing review including ways to give and receive feedback
  • Know and understand the consequences of own professional actions, attitudes and behaviours and their effect on own registration, other registrants, the dental team, the workplace and public opinion
  • Know and understand audit and quality improvement processes
  • Know and understand health and safety policy related to your role as a dental nurse
  • Know and understand the importance of maintaining your own network of dental professionals and other stakeholders involved in the care and support of patients

  Skills

  • Adhere to legal and ethical responsibilities in line with General Dental Council requirements
  • Take responsibility for the integrity of own actions and completed work, recognising the limits of your competence and experience
  • Comply with current best practice guidelines
  • Put patients’ interests first and act to protect them by working in a patient-centred way
  • Effectively manage own time and resources
  • Provide chair side support during dental procedures
  • Monitor, support and reassure patients throughout all aspects of their treatment, ensuring patient-centred care
  • Communicate appropriately, effectively and sensitively at all times and through all media
  • Respect patients’ dignity and choices and act without discrimination
  • Check that valid consent is obtained for all treatments and personal care delivery
  • Maintain patient confidentiality at all times
  • Work in the clinical environment in a safe and efficient manner
  • Select and prepare the correct equipment, instruments and materials
  • Carry out and record maintenance and testing of equipment in line with local policy, procedures and the scope of your own role
  • Manage and perform effective decontamination and infection control procedures complying with legislative, local and current best practice guidelines
  • Mix, handle, store and dispose of materials in line with manufacturers recommendations
  • Create and update accurate and current patient records, including social, medical and dental history, storing and archiving them securely and in line with legislation
  • Carry out processing of radiographs in line with local procedures and rules
  • Make effective decisions regarding the safety of patients when taking a radiograph
  • Deliver appropriate and current evidence-based oral and general health advice
  • Recognise and support action to deal with medical emergencies
  • Respond to medical emergencies and be competent in cardiopulmonary resuscitation
  • Take part in appraisal and ongoing review processes
  • Take part in continuous professional development activities
  • Reflect on how your daily practice complies with the General Dental Council requirements for continual improvement
  • Comply with personal development planning as specified by the General Dental Council
  • Participate in quality improvement activities as required
  • Be collaborative and work as part of the team

  Behaviours

  • Act in a manner consistent with the GDC standards for the dental team which include communication, professionalism, teamwork and clinical skills
  • Act in a non-discriminatory manner respecting diversity and upholding the rights, dignity and autonomy of others
• Apprenticeship category (sector): Health and science
• Qualification level: 3; Equal to A level
• Course duration: 18 months
• Maximum funding: £9,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
• Job titles include:
  • Dental nurse

View more information about Dental nurse (integrated) (level 3) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.