Dental Nursing - Apprenticeship Level 3

Essentials

Duration: 2 Years Full-time
Start date: 1st September 2025
End date: 4th June 2027
Information Event: Yes

Course fee: FREE (Eligibility criteria may apply)

Course Content

Dental Nurses are highly skilled professionals who deliver essential clinical and administrative support to dental practitioners and patients. In this role, individuals engage in various aspects of patient care, including sterilising and preparing instruments, mixing dental materials, and acquiring the knowledge, skills, and behaviours necessary to provide chairside assistance. This support ensures seamless collaboration between the dental clinician and the patient. The apprenticeship qualification comprehensively covers the clinical responsibilities and duties performed by Dental Nurses.

Units include:

• Oral and general health
• Endodontic treatments
• Prosthetic treatments
• Radiation and radiography
• Periodontal disease and cavity restoration
• Health and safety
• Extractions and minor oral surgery
• Management of oral health diseases and dental anatomy, oral health assessments and treatment planning

Special Features

Upon completing this qualification, learners may pursue employment as a GDC-registered dental nurse.

Apprenticeships NI Level 3 is open to employees aged 16+ or those about to take up permanent paid employment with a Northern Ireland-based company and be contracted to work a minimum of 21 hours per week. They will attend directed training in college face to face and blended learning. If students do not have Level 2 Essential Skills in Numeracy, Literacy or equivalent this will be a mandatory element of the course. Students will complete the City and Guilds Level 3 Diploma and the Level 2 award in Employment Rights and Responsibilities as part of the full course in a weekly class and will also receive one to one support from an assessor.

Potential career pathways include:

• Specialist dental nursing roles
• Dental hygiene or therapy
• Dental technology
• Dental decontamination
• Teaching or mentoring