When someone asks what the role of a dental nurse is; most peoples first thought is sucking saliva and bringing the patients in and out of surgery.
Whilst yes, aspirating and escorting the patients are 2 roles of a dental nurse, there are so many more! Such as looking after patient records – this includes taking notes when the dentist is examining a patient, working closely with the dentist, responding quickly to requests and keeping the surgery ready for use.
A few additional roles of the dental nurse include:
- Developing Dental X-rays/Radiographs (and taking them with correct training)
- Maintaining the Dental Operatory
- Mixing Dental Materials
- Decontamination and Stock control responsibilites
- Looking after patients welfare
- and a million more
Dental nursing is great way to get into the healthcare industry. It can be a very rewarding job. Some people may aspire to be a dental nurse and other may fall into the job, either way if you gain an interest in dentistry and want to continue it as a career you will need to sit the dental nurse course to get on the GDC register.
You can usually work as a trainee dental nurse without academic qualifications but to progress to being a qualified dental nurse, you’ll need to study for a course in dental nursing, either part or full time, that is approved by the General Dental Council (GDC) but a minimum 2 GCSEs (Grade C or above) in English language and maths or a science subject are usually preferred for part time or full time dental nurse courses/online dental nurse courses.
Additional skills dental nurses could develop include but are not limited to:
- Further skills in oral health education and oral health promotion – to offer this service independently.
- Assisting in the treatment of patients who are under conscious sedation/very anxious patient – removing cannulas for example and monitoring sedated patients.
- Further skills in assisting in the treatment of patients with special needs
- Further skills in assisting in the treatment of orthodontic patients
- Intra and extra-oral photography
- Radiography
- Pouring, casting and trimming study models
- Removing sutures
- Taking dental impressions