trainee dentist in clinic smiling

About us

At Dentrain Professionals Ltd, we are an established independent training provider who deliver the Dental Nurse qualification both as an apprenticeship funded by the ESFA and privatley in addition to post qualifications for Dental Nurses. We have been delivering high quality qualifications for over 30 years and thrive to meet individual learner and employer needs.

 

Our team consists of highly qualified individuals who continuously keep their own knowledge and skills up to date, which reflects in the mentoring and support they provide throughout the learning journey for apprentices. As a result, we are able to provide a wide variety of up to date resources to meet the needs of individual learning styles and needs. This, along with a high level of support, ultimately reflects in our continuously high success rates.

Our centre is based in Bolton town centre with easy access to transport links. The building consists of 3 floors and comprises of office space and a large classroom suite which is openly available for use.

Why choose a Dental Nursing Apprenticeship with Dentrain Professionals Ltd?

white interior of a dentists clinicDental Nursing is the correct route if you want a career in a patient care role and have a keen interest in learning more about the anatomy of the teeth and supporting structures, the different dental procedures that are available, medical emergencies and so much more. The Dental Nurse Apprenticeship is a vocational, work-based course which gives you the opportunity to earn while you learn the necessary skills to carry out your duties within the workplace.

Whilst learning practical skills within the workplace, you will be provided with time to spend with your allocated Trainer with live, face to face teaching and learning sessions to help support you gaining underpinning knowledge and understanding which link with the skills you will gain. A career in Dental Nursing can also provide you with great job prospects, with many apprentices progressing onto team leader/management roles in the future. The role of a Dental Nurse has many transferrable skills for other future career prospects such as becoming a Hygiene Therapist, Dentist, Lab Technician, a Paramedic or General Nurse, the list of prospects is greater than you can imagine!

If you want to gain a nationally recognised qualification as well as registering with a professional body, at the same time as gaining valuable work experience in a dental environment, this Apprenticeship is ideal for you.

How much will the apprentice cost you?

Education and Skills Funding Agency logoThere will be no charge to you directly for the Apprenticeship.

The apprenticeship for Dental Nursing is fully funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) for 16-18 year olds.

For apprentices aged 22 years (from April 2024) and above the employer is require to make a contribution of £300. This amount will be invoiced during the enrolment process

Key Responsibilities:

  • Assist the dentist/hygienist/therapist in all clinical procedures, providing chair-side assistance.
  • Maintain impeccable standards of hygiene and infection control, according to the latest guidelines and following practice procedures and policy.
  • Prepare instrument trays for procedures.
  • Follow all practice procedures and protocols to maintain patient confidentiality.
  • At the end of the surgical day, ensure the surgery management is adhered to in line with practice procedures and policy.
  • Advise the Lead Nurse/Management of any faulty or poorly functioning equipment, so that prompt action can be taken to remedy any defects/problems and ensure service and maintenance at the required frequency.
  • Ensure that all the relevant paperwork is completed promptly and accurately and that all client records are updated and maintained, according to practice procedures.
  • Maintain Registration and comply with all GDC requirements.
  • Assist in managing the appointment book for all clinicians, ensuring that the daily production targets can be met and the booking system is followed and to ensure a smooth delay free workflow for patients or clinicians.
  • Build trusting and caring relationships with all patients, and take all reasonable steps to ensure their comfort and retain them as a client.
  • Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
  • Monitor stock levels for materials and sundries and order/liaise with Lead Nurse on ordering.
  • Coordinate with the laboratory on timely dispatch and receipt of work.
  • Assist the clinical team and reception team in gaining acceptance for treatment plans from clients and support the practice in gaining testimonials and referrals from clients.
  • Proactively contribute to regular practice meetings.
  • Assist in manning the reception as the business necessitates, providing a customer focused and seamless patient journey according to the practice’s standards.

Skills & Attitudes:

  • Enthusiasm and commitment
  • Ability to work flexibly
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal (including a positive and friendly phone manner)
  • Excellent listening skills and a calm, empathetic approach to patients
  • Dedicated to providing a first class customer service experience
  • Builds trust and rapport with a wide range of people
  • Good organisational skills
  • Good technical skills and knowledge
  • Excellent follow-up ability on all tasks
  • Ability to work as part of a team, and alone when required
  • Good IT skills
  • An ability to bring energy and enthusiasm to any situation and always act with honesty and integrity. A “can-do” attitude, with the desire to learn new skills and take on new challenges
  • To be proactive and demonstrate initiative
  • Prepared to work according to the practice systems and brand standards
  • A professional appearance

What are the entry requirements?

GCSE grades C / 4 or above is required for recognised prior learning. However if you do not have these grades we will accept learners with grade D / 3. Apprentices are required to complete English and/or Maths Level 2 Functional skills if they do not have recognised prior learning in these areas. Please see the Functional Skills section below for further information.

Settling in period

Once you have found your ideal practice to carry out your work placement as an Apprentice, we offer an 8-12 week settling in period to ensure that you are happy within your new role and are confident you will complete the apprenticeship. During this time, if you are required to carry out Functional Skills English and Maths, the Functional Skills Tutor will provide you with learning material to give you a head start.

Apprentice pay

Apprentices are entitled to the apprentice rate if they’re either:

  • aged under 19
  • aged 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship
    Example: An apprentice aged 21 in the first year of their apprenticeship is entitled to a minimum hourly rate of £6.40 from April 2024.

Apprentices are entitled to the national minimum wage for their age if they both are aged 19 or over have completed the first year of their apprenticeship

Example: An apprentice aged 21 who has completed the first year of their apprenticeship, is entitled to a minimum hourly rate of £11.44

Click here to find out more from the Gov UK website.

Off the Job (OTJ)

young lady doing online training on her laptopA large number of training providers expect apprentices to attend day release to contribute to Off the Job training. At Dentrain Professionals Ltd, we recognise that whilst trying to the employer is running a dental practice this isn't always easy to release staff on specific days. We therefore provide our employers with the flexibility with the Off the Job training they provide. Where day release is required to meet individual. learner needs, this is discussed and arranged at a suitable time for our employers.

OTJ is a requirement for all apprenticeship standards at all levels. Apprentices must spend 6 hours per week of their contracted working hours undertaking OTJ Training.

OTJ is defined as “learning which is undertaken outside of the normal day to day working environment and leads toward the achievement of an apprenticeship.”

OTJ Training must be directly relevant to the apprentice’s programme and teach apprentices new knowledge, skills and behaviours that will help them reach competence in their occupation. Therefore, as many employers think this is solely focused on providing time for completion of coursework, this is not the case! OTJ also consists of practical training and mentoring during every day working practice!

OTJ Training was recommended by the Richard Review of Apprenticeships and Ofsted to ensure that apprentices are actively learning and working to attain the required knowledge and skills within their sector while enrolled on their placement program.

 

Examples of OTJ include:

  • Team meetings
  • Mentoring / Shadowing
  • 1-2-1's / apprasials
  • CPD
  • Tutorial support through teaching and learning sessions with the allocated Learner Development Officer (LDO)
  • Additional Learner Needs (ALN) support with our dedicated ALN Tutor
  • Attending networking events
  • Completion of coursework
  • Revision time

Apprenticeship delivery

At Dentrain Professionals Ltd we have developed a personalised scheme of work that takes into consideration the apprentices needs.

The apprenticeship consists of different components which will be taken into consideration when assessing target dates to include:

  • Level 3 apprenticeship standard detailing requirements for knowledge, skills and behaviours.
  • National Diploma in Dental Nursing (NEBDN)
  • End Point Assessment
  • Maths & English Functional Skills (if no recognised prior learning)
  • Additional learner needs (ALN) support (if any area is highlighted from assessment).

two young trainee dentists learning about teeth in a classroomSet weekly sessions are not expected for attendance at our centre. You will be expected to attend online live teaching sessions at a pre arranged time that does not inhibit the every day running of the practice. These sessions will take place at the beginning of each topic being taught (usually every two - three weeks for 1 - 2 hours).

You will be provided with an online portfolio (Pebblepad) and will be provided with a number of online resources to include a module of learning, a power point tutorial and additional reading resources for extended reading. Once learning has taken place this will be followed up by form of assessment.

You will gain practical skills supported by shadowing and mentoring in the practice which will be observed by the allocated witness in practice who will then sign off witness testimonies on the online portfolio throughout the duration of the apprenticeship.

Other methods of assessment may include role play / scenario, simulated activities and professional discussions.

Functional Skills

Functional skills is delivered along side the Dental Nurse knowledge, skills and behaviours. You will be provided with an online learning platform as well as having a specialised Tutor for support. You will be expected to attend online support sessions with the Tutor on a minimum of a monthly basis, dependent on your needs. This time will be pre arranged at a suitable time.

A typical target date for completion of the Functional Skills qualifications is 8 months, however this may change dependent on individual needs.

Additional learner needs (ALN)

All apprentices will carry out an assessment to assess any additional learner needs. If any area of needs are highlighted during this assessment a dedicated Tutor will be allocated to support these needs.

If additional needs have been identified, the target dates and scheme of work / delivery plan will be adapted to meet these needs to allow additional time. You will be expected to complete 4 short online tasks per month and attend a 30 minute support session every month on a Tuesday or a Thursday at a pre-agreed time which is flexible with their dedicated ALN tutor. The employer will be informed if ALN has been identified.

Progress reviews

young girl apprentice listening to advice given by her tutorProgress reviews are a mandatory requirement as set out in the ESFA funding rules and employers are expected to attend.

Arrangements will be made with the employer and yourself to carry out a review process where discussions will take place relating to progress and reflecting on the PDP, the PDP will support SMART targets being set for both yourself and the employer. All targets being set will be a result of a reflection of the progress made to date.

Reviews will take place every 8-11 weeks dependent on the personalised scheme of work / delivery plan which will be assessed prior to sign up.

The employer is expected to be present during the first half of the review whilst development of the apprentice's knowledge, skills and behaviours are being discussed.

During this review a discussion will be held covering hot topics relating to Equality & Diversity, Safeguarding, Prevent, Radicalisation and extremism, and Fundamental British values.

Finally, career education information advice and guidance (CEIAG) will be provided with reflection on learning throughout the apprenticeship and how this can help support future career development.

End Point Assessment (EPA)

Prior to gateway following completion of the portfolio of evidence:

Multiple choice knowledge test (examination): This will take place online and is remotely invigilated by the National Examining Board for Dental Nurses (NEBDN). The knowledge test consists of 60 multiple choice (MCQ) questions and 10 extended matching questions (EMQ) holding 40 marks.

The EPA consists of:

An Online Structured Clinical Assessment: This will include visiting 11 practical activity stations whilst having reading and preparation time. Throughout the duration of the apprenticeship the learner will be provided with support and guidance to help prepare for the EPA. Further preparation will be provided through mock exams and attendance to revision sessions and mock Structured Clinical Assessments.

How long does the apprenticeship take?

The apprenticeship programme varies dependent on the apprentices needs although, these target dates for completion will be set between 15-24 months for example:

Example 1: An apprentice who has previous experience in customer care and is not required to complete Function Skills, will be targeted at 15 months for completion.

Example 2: An apprentice who has additional learner needs (ALN) will be targeted for completion of the apprenticeship within 24 months.

Every apprentice is treated as an individual and you will be updated on progress with continuous communication from our dedicated Learner Development Officers (LDO's).

What learners have to say

Charlotte recently achieved a Pass in the knowledge test and observation and a distinction in the interview with an overall pass result. Charlotte started to prepare early for the end point assessment showing dedication. Here's what she had to say:

"I am very relieved to have passed my exam, after lots of hard work and dedication. I have had lots of help from all trainers, exam tips, revision sessions, and I am very grateful to all of the trainers, especially Lindsey. There were so many different learning options available, which would suit a variety of learning methods, which is great as everyone learns differently! The course was very interesting, and I have learned lots of things that are very useful to my nursing career! With the help and support from tutors and Dentrain staff, I have completed and passed the course! Now I have qualified, I can consider post graduate courses with Dentrain again. Thank you to all staff!"

Check out our testimonials page for more feedback!

Key personnel

You will be provided with contact details of a dedicated Learner Development Officer (LDO) who will support your apprentice through their learning journey. Other key personel at Dentrain Professionals Ltd are detailed below:

Safeguarding Lead Complaints Officer
Zoe Gee
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Safeguarding Officer
Careers Education Advice Guidance Officer
Qualification Lead
Michelle Porter
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Office: 01204 528652
Dentrain Professionals Ltd, Bridge Place, Rear of 22 Bridge Street, Bolton BL1 2EA