About this qualification

This qualification is designed for those who want to register with the General Dental Council (GDC) and qualify as a dental nurse. It can be taken as either stand-alone or as part of an apprenticeship. It is a mandatory element within the Dental Nurse (GDC 2023) occupational standard (England) and the end-point assessment (EPA) is integrated into this qualification.

To meet the GDC’s outcomes, the qualification reflects the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours a dental nurse must have to practise safely, effectively and professionally. The qualification fully meets The Safe Practitioner: Dental Nurse (superseding the GDC’s Preparing for practice outcomes). It also meets the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) within the Dental Nurse (GDC 2023) occupational standard. Units include underpinning ethics, professionalism, teamwork and communication, as well as practical dental principles and techniques.

This qualification is currently provisionally approved (awaiting full approval) by the GDC and, upon completion, it will enable learners to apply for registration with the GDC.

Who is it suitable for?

This qualification is designed for learners aged 16 or over who wish to qualify as a dental nurse.

What are the entry requirements?

This qualification is designed for all those who wish to work as a dental nurse or trainee dental nurse and who wish to obtain a dental nursing qualification leading to GDC registration.

Entry is at the discretion of the centre. However, learners should be aged 16 or above to undertake this qualification.

How is this qualification structured?

To be awarded this qualification learners are required to successfully achieve 55 credits from the 12 mandatory units and a pass, merit or distinction in each of the two external, synoptic, multiple-choice question (MCQ) tests covering the underpinning knowledge across units. There is no compensation between units, tests or observations in practice.

How is it assessed?

The assessment consists of two components:

• an internally assessed portfolio of evidence for all units, which is assessed by the centre and externally quality assured by NCFE (internal quality assurance must still be completed by the centre as usual)
• two externally set and externally marked, synoptic MCQ tests covering the underpinning knowledge across units – the assessments will be online and on demand

Learners must be successful in both components to gain the Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice of Dental Nursing. The learners’ overall qualification grade will be determined by the results of each test paper.

Units CORE DN 1 to 11 must be assessed in line with NCFE assessment principles and unit CORE DN 12 assessed in line with Skills for Health’s assessment principles.

For apprentices, on achievement of this qualification and the completion of a successful Gateway audit, they may begin the EPA period. The EPA takes place after the apprentice has completed all the requirements on-programme, for the Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice of Dental Nursing, and their workplace agrees they are competent. The independent external quality assurers (IEQAs) will review claimed qualification certificates to ensure that apprentices have met all the requirements of the Dental Nurse apprenticeship. Please see the EPA support page on the NCFE website for more information.

How many credits are required to complete it?

Learners must achieve 55 credits from the 12 mandatory units.

How long will it take to complete this qualification?

Learners/apprentices can usually complete this qualification in 12 to 18 months depending on mode of delivery.

Do you need to be working to take this qualification?

This qualification requires learners to complete a mandatory work/industry placement experience throughout the duration of the qualification, before certification.

It is recommended that a minimum of 16 hours per week is spent in the workplace.

If this qualification is being taken as part of an apprenticeship, apprentices will need to be working with a full-time employment contract in place and enrolled on the Dental Nurse apprenticeship to be able to show competence in the relevant KSBs and complete this qualification.

Apprentices should be employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week, completing the minimum required off-the-job training in line with Department for Education (DfE) funding rules.

What related qualifications can you progress to?

Further training:

• orthodontic dental nursing
• dental radiography
• assisting in dental sedation
• implant dental nursing
• impression taking
• topical fluoride application

Further education:

• orthodontic therapy
• dental practice management
• oral health practitioner
• dental technician
• dental hygienist
• dental therapist

Career opportunities

• dental nurse
• dental hygienist
• dental therapist
• orthodontic therapist
• laboratory technician
• dentist
• senior nurse
• practice manager
• tutor
• teacher and assessor of student dental nurses
• lecturer

Funding for our qualifications

Find out more about funding for this and other qualifications on our funding page.