Dental nurse
Support dentists to provide high-quality patient care. You'll assist with different treatments and help patients feel more comfortable.
About the job
A day in the life – Dental nurse
What it's like
Like any nurse, you'll be an essential part of patient care. You'll support a dentist to carry out treatments, reassure patients and look after equipment. You'll make sure your dental practice stays safe and sterile.
You'll also make sure patients feel comfortable when they visit the dentist. They might be there for a simple check-up or having specialist treatment. You’ll need to be calm and supportive to help patients who are nervous.
You might also help at the reception area, especially during busy periods. This would involve booking appointments, taking payments for treatment, and greeting patients.
Some dental practices offer facial aesthetics work. These are non-surgical cosmetic treatments, for example Botox injections or lip fillers. You'll assist with these treatments. With training, you may be able to carry out some under the supervision of a dentist.
You could work in dental practices, hospitals, public dental services or within the armed forces.
Your tasks might include:
tidying, sterilising and preparing the dental surgery and equipment
providing chairside support to the dentist, therapist or hygienist
preparing materials, for example, to make fillings
recording information about patients and their care
following infection control and decontamination procedures
administration to support the running of a practice
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
NHS Scotland – how to become a dental nurse
NHS Scotland – learn more about a career in dentistry
Like the sound of this career?
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Dental nurse'
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- taking responsibility
- attention to detail
- empathising
- written communication
- verbal communication
- reading
- supporting
- cooperating
- positive attitude
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Biology
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Care
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Human Biology
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Skills for Work: Health and Social Care
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Foundation Apprenticeship: Social Services and Healthcare
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
You'll need to get a qualification in dental nursing and then register with the General Dental Council (GDC).
Check out college, apprenticeship or a trainee route towards this career.
College
You can study a variety of dental nursing qualifications at college. This could be a:
Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ)
Professional Development Award (PDA)
Higher National Certificate (HNC)
Higher National Diploma (HND)
undergraduate degree
Going to college can help you get registered with the GDC, find a job or progress to more advanced study.
Look at the course details provided by the college delivering the course. This will show whether the qualification allows you to register with the GDC.
Apprenticeship
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) mean you learn on the job. You get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time.
You can get an MA in Dental Nursing. After completing this you'll be able to register with the GDC.
Trainee role
You can apply for a paid trainee role, where you learn on the job without needing previous experience.
You can use the My World of Work job search to look for trainee roles.
You'll need to become a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. If you do a college course or apprenticeship, you'll likely complete this while learning.
When you're qualified, you need to register with the General Dental Council as a dental nurse.
Find the right course for you
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Dental nurse'
