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Dental nurses prepare patients for, and assist with, dental examinations, prepare and sterilise instruments and maintain case records.

Main tasks

  • Maintains records, processes and mounts x-ray films and undertakes reception duties.
  • Removes water and saliva from patient’s mouth during treatment.
  • Assists with minor treatment, such as preparing materials for fillings.
  • Hands required equipment and medication to dentist during examination.
  • Prepares and sterilises instruments and follows guidelines to maintain sterile conditions within the surgery.
  • Prepares patient for examination.

Source: Office for National Statistics.

Salary and earnings

Potential earnings

£23,089.99

Average earnings

£14,770.00

Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).

Skills & knowledge

The top 5 most important skills and knowledge requirements relevant to this career.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Medicine and Dentistry

Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Clerical

Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Chemistry

Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

Computers and Electronics

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

What course level do I need to study?

The level of study required will vary with each job, sector and company. The table below shows the level of study achieved by those currently working in this career choice.

Educational requirements: Level 4 NVQ; Intermediate, DipHE, DipFE

Source: Office for National Statistics.

Level of study Percentage achieved
Level 1 5%
Level 2 17%
Level 3 35%
Level 4-5 (Higher Education) 33%
Level 6 (Bachelors) 9%
Level 7 (Masters or equivalent) 2%

Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS) data.

Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.