Key information

  1. Reference: OCC0113
  2. Date updated: 28/07/2022
  3. Level: 3
  4. Route: Health and science
  5. Regulated occupation: Yes
  6. Regulator body: General Dental Council

Details of the occupational standard

Occupation summary

This occupation is found in healthcare under the profession of dentistry. Dental nurses work in a clinical environment that could be located in a NHS general dental practice, hospital, private dental practice, specialist dental practice, community dental service or military dental clinic. The clinical environment is called a dental surgery and consists of a dental chair, x-ray unit and various equipment and instruments required for dentistry. An apprentice will predominately work with a dentist, dental hygienist, dental therapist, clinical dental technician or orthodontic therapist within a surgery environment with patients attending throughout the day.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to provide chair side support to all dental professionals and ensure high standards of cleanliness and infection control. Dental nurses prepare instruments, materials and medicaments for dental procedures, mix materials, sterilise instruments, keep records, note dictation, carry out stock control and ensure patient comfort and safety throughout their visit.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with patients of all ages, other members of the dental team, other health professionals and representatives of organisations providing support services to the setting. Depending on the dental setting the dental nurse could also interact with schools, the prison service, community dental service, individuals in their own homes and those in care home settings.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for providing care for people of all ages, different backgrounds, cultures and beliefs within a variety of clinical environments. Dental nurses must ensure that they only carry out a task, treatment or make decisions about a patient’s care if they are appropriately trained, competent, indemnified and have the necessary skills. Dental nurses are registered professionals and work within the standards and scope of practice as defined by the General Dental Council Scope of Practice document.

Typical job titles include:

Dental nurse

Occupation duties

Duty KSBs
Duty 1 Work to current best practice for dental nurses
K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11
S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6
B1 B2
Duty 2 Use appropriate communication maintaining professionalism at all times and through all media to provide patient-centred care
K12 K13 K14
S7 S8 S9 S10 S11
B1 B2
Duty 3 Prepare and maintain the clinical environment
K15 K16 K17
S12 S13 S14
B1
Duty 4 Carry out infection control procedures
K18 K19 K20 K21
S15
B1
Duty 5 Prepare, mix and handle materials
K22 K23 K24
S13 S16
B1
Duty 6 Keep accurate and current patient records
K13 K25 K26
S11 S17
B1 B2
Duty 7 Prepare equipment and materials for dental radiographs
K27 K28 K29
S18 S19
B1
Duty 8 Give appropriate oral and general health advice to patients
K5 K30
S20
B1 B2
Duty 9 Recognise and deal with medical emergencies
K31 K32 K33 K34
S21 S22
B1 B2
Duty 10 Take responsibility for your own professional development in line with General Dental Council requirements
K1 K4 K35 K36 K37
S23 S24 S25 S26
B1 B2
Duty 11 Contribute to the quality improvement of the service
K6 K38 K39 K40
S27 S28
B1 B2
×

Required knowledge

    Required skill

      Required behaviour

        KSBs

        Knowledge

        K1: 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 Back to Duty

        K2: Know and understand legislation, policy and procedures related to your role as a dental nurse Back to Duty

        K3: Know and understand the wider dental and healthcare system that dental nurses work in Back to Duty

        K4: Know and understand the principles relating to evidence-based approaches to learning, clinical, professional practice and decision-making Back to Duty

        K5: Know and understand the basic principles of a population healthcare approach including safeguarding, oral and general healthcare and your duty of care Back to Duty

        K6: Know and understand how to raise concerns as described in the current General Dental Council guidance Back to Duty

        K7: Know and understand dental and regional anatomy Back to Duty

        K8: Know and understand the respiratory and circulatory system Back to Duty

        K9: Know and understand legal and ethical responsibilities involved in protecting and promoting the health of individual patients Back to Duty

        K10: Know and understand duty of candour Back to Duty

        K11: Know and understand the principals of preventative dentistry Back to Duty

        K12: 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 Back to Duty

        K13: Know and understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality and protecting all data relating to patients and their treatment Back to Duty

        K14: Know and understand the importance of gaining patient consent Back to Duty

        K15: Know and understand the equipment, instruments and materials used to provide chairside support to dental professionals, and operate in the clinical environment Back to Duty

        K16: Know and understand how to assess, reduce and manage risks as outlined in current best practice guidelines Back to Duty

        K17: Know and understand how to raise concerns that affect the running of the clinical environment in line with local policy and procedures Back to Duty

        K18: Know and understand the potential routes of transmission of infectious agents in dental practice Back to Duty

        K19: Know and understand the mechanisms for the prevention of infection Back to Duty

        K20: Know and understand the scientific principles of decontamination and disinfection and their relevance to health & safety Back to Duty

        K21: Know and understand local infection control protocols and your own responsibilities Back to Duty

        K22: Know and understand the appropriate materials for different treatments Back to Duty

        K23: Know and understand how to prepare materials in line with manufacturers recommendations Back to Duty

        K24: Know and understand Health & Safety legislation relating to dental materials and other medication Back to Duty

        K25: Know and understand the importance of maintaining accurate and current patient records in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements Back to Duty

        K26: Know and understand the principles of information governance Back to Duty

        K27: Know and understand the scientific principles of medical ionising radiation Back to Duty

        K28: Know and understand the statutory regulations in relation to radiography Back to Duty

        K29: Know and understand the different types of radiographs used in dentistry including how to process and store them Back to Duty

        K30: Know and understand contributing factors that can impact on oral and general health Back to Duty

        K31: Know and understand a range of conditions that could contribute to medical emergencies Back to Duty

        K32: Know and understand the principles of First aid in the workplace Back to Duty

        K33: Know and understand the regulatory requirements regarding documentation of medical emergencies and first aid incidents Back to Duty

        K34: Know and understand your own competence and limitations in dealing with medical emergencies Back to Duty

        K35: Know and understand ways to maintain your professional knowledge and competence including reflecting on your own practice Back to Duty

        K36: Know and understand the importance of appraisal, training and ongoing review including ways to give and receive feedback Back to Duty

        K37: 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 Back to Duty

        K38: Know and understand audit and quality improvement processes Back to Duty

        K39: Know and understand health and safety policy related to your role as a dental nurse Back to Duty

        K40: Know and understand the importance of maintaining your own network of dental professionals and other stakeholders involved in the care and support of patients Back to Duty

        Skills

        S1: Adhere to legal and ethical responsibilities in line with General Dental Council requirements Back to Duty

        S2: Take responsibility for the integrity of own actions and completed work, recognising the limits of your competence and experience Back to Duty

        S3: Comply with current best practice guidelines Back to Duty

        S4: Put patients’ interests first and act to protect them by working in a patient-centred way Back to Duty

        S5: Effectively manage own time and resources Back to Duty

        S6: Provide chair side support during dental procedures Back to Duty

        S7: Monitor, support and reassure patients throughout all aspects of their treatment, ensuring patient-centred care Back to Duty

        S8: Communicate appropriately, effectively and sensitively at all times and through all media Back to Duty

        S9: Respect patients’ dignity and choices and act without discrimination Back to Duty

        S10: Check that valid consent is obtained for all treatments and personal care delivery Back to Duty

        S11: Maintain patient confidentiality at all times Back to Duty

        S12: Work in the clinical environment in a safe and efficient manner Back to Duty

        S13: Select and prepare the correct equipment, instruments and materials Back to Duty

        S14: Carry out and record maintenance and testing of equipment in line with local policy, procedures and the scope of your own role Back to Duty

        S15: Manage and perform effective decontamination and infection control procedures complying with legislative, local and current best practice guidelines Back to Duty

        S16: Mix, handle, store and dispose of materials in line with manufacturers recommendations Back to Duty

        S17: Create and update accurate and current patient records, including social, medical and dental history, storing and archiving them securely and in line with legislation Back to Duty

        S18: Carry out processing of radiographs in line with local procedures and rules Back to Duty

        S19: Make effective decisions regarding the safety of patients when taking a radiograph Back to Duty

        S20: Deliver appropriate and current evidence-based oral and general health advice Back to Duty

        S21: Recognise and support action to deal with medical emergencies Back to Duty

        S22: Respond to medical emergencies and be competent in cardiopulmonary resuscitation Back to Duty

        S23: Take part in appraisal and ongoing review processes Back to Duty

        S24: Take part in continuous professional development activities Back to Duty

        S25: Reflect on how your daily practice complies with the General Dental Council requirements for continual improvement Back to Duty

        S26: Comply with personal development planning as specified by the General Dental Council Back to Duty

        S27: Participate in quality improvement activities as required Back to Duty

        S28: Be collaborative and work as part of the team Back to Duty

        Behaviours

        B1: Act in a manner consistent with the GDC standards for the dental team which include communication, professionalism, teamwork and clinical skills Back to Duty

        B2: Act in a non-discriminatory manner respecting diversity and upholding the rights, dignity and autonomy of others Back to Duty

        City & Guilds Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry to Professional Practice for Dental Nurses (Diploma)

        Awarding organisation: City and Guilds of London Institute

        Qualification type: TQ Qualification level: 3 Qualification approved: 07/03/2024

        NCFE CACHE Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in the Principles and Practice of Dental Nursing (Diploma)

        Awarding organisation: NCFE

        Qualification type: TQ Qualification level: 3 Qualification approved: 07/03/2024

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