Overview
Dental nurses support dental care professionals in all aspects of dental treatment and patient care and are an integral part of the dental team
On this 1-year full-time, 2-year part-time CertHE Dental Nursing course, accredited by the General Dental Council (GDC), you’ll get the knowledge and practical skills required to achieve safe beginner status, become a vital member of the dental team and register with the GDC when you graduate.
Course Highlights
- Build your team-working skills by studying alongside dental hygiene, dental therapy and final year dental students from King’s College London Dental Institute
- Use some of the best dental facilities for students in the country at our Dental Academy, with 44 treatment bays, 2 individual surgeries, a phantom head skill lab, full radiography suite and an electronic patient records system
- Work with real patients in the local community, gaining valuable work experience supporting our dental outreach projects such as working with the homeless community and Portsmouth Football Club
- Placement opportunities in environments such as special care dentistry, maxillofacial departments and general dental practices
- Qualify with a CertHE in Dental Nursing when you complete the course, which allows you to register with the GDC as a dental nurse
Careers and opportunities
Dental nurses offer vital support to dentists and patients by ensuring they have all they need to treat patients, such as preparing equpment and materials, sterilising treatment areas and managing patient records.
They also assist dentists as they carry out treatments, passing instruments as they need them, keeping a patient's mouth clear of water and saliva, and making sure patients are comfortable and relaxed throughout.
Dental nursing is a crucial role within a dental team and since the pandemic, there is an even higher demand for dental nurses in the both the NHS and the private sector.
On this Dental Nursing CertHE, you'll gain what you need to become a registered dental nurse, including knowledge of many dental restorative and preventative procedures, and professional and people skills.
You'll complete a programme of statutory and mandatory training as part of our commitment to the NHS, including the anatomy and physiology of the head and neck, body systems, and understanding health, safety and infection control.
Once you complete the course, you’ll be able to register with the General Dental Council (GDC) as a dental nurse, ready to work at a general dental practice, a hospital, with the community dental service or in the Armed Forces. Or, you could continue your studies at diploma or degree level.
As a registered dental nurse, you’ll be qualified to take on roles in any sector of the dental industry, including:
- general dental practice (NHS or private)
- corporate dental practice
- hospital dental services
- Armed Forces
- specialists dental practice
- health promotion
Our graduates have taken on roles including:
- dental nurse
- practice manager
- practice owner
As an NHS dental nurse in 2021, your starting salary would likely be between £20,330 (Band 3) and £22,549 (Band 4). With more experience as a senior dental nurse, you could make up to £31,534 (Band 5).
You could also work in the private sector, or as a locum dental nurse, for a competitive hourly rate.
Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate
Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.
Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.
