NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice of Dental Nursing
This Course at a Glance
- Achieve the GDC-recognised qualification required to register and practise as a Dental Nurse in the UK
- Awarded by NCFE CACHE, the UK's leading specialist awarding organisation for health and care
- Study 100% online at your own pace, around work and family
- Complete in just 12-18 months
- Includes dedicated personal tutor support by email
- Interest-free monthly payment plans available
- Workplace placement in a registered dental practice required (minimum 16 hrs/week)
- SALE Savings End Midnight Tuesday 19th May
- SALE Savings End Midnight Tuesday 19th May
NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice of Dental Nursing
This Course at a Glance
- Achieve the GDC-recognised qualification required to register and practise as a Dental Nurse in the UK
- Awarded by NCFE CACHE, the UK's leading specialist awarding organisation for health and care
- Study 100% online at your own pace, around work and family
- Complete in just 12-18 months
- Includes dedicated personal tutor support by email
- Interest-free monthly payment plans available
- Workplace placement in a registered dental practice required (minimum 16 hrs/week)
If you've ever wanted a hands-on healthcare career with genuine job security, real progression, and the satisfaction of helping people every single day, dental nursing is one of the smartest moves you can make. Qualified Dental Nurses are in demand in every town in the country across the UK, and you can help fill that gap.
This NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice of Dental Nursing is the gold-standard, GDC-recognised route into the profession. On successful completion you'll be able to apply for registration with the General Dental Council (GDC) and work as a fully qualified Dental Nurse anywhere in the UK.
With learndirect, you can do all this entirely online. There are no in-person classes, no commutes, no rigid timetables; just a flexible, supportive learning experience built around your life. You'll handle your theory through our digital learning platform, while completing your practical assessments in a registered dental practice (we'll help you find one if you don't already have a placement in mind).
Why study Dental Nursing with learndirect?
A career that pays you back
Newly qualified Dental Nurses in the UK earn from £22,000-£28,000, with senior, specialist and team-leader roles paying £30,000+. Add post-registration top-ups in radiography, oral health education, fluoride application, sedation or implant nursing and your earning ceiling rises again.
Earn while you learn
Most learners study this diploma while working as a Trainee Dental Nurse, meaning you're earning a wage from day one. Many practices welcome trainees on the NCFE CACHE route because it integrates seamlessly with the new Dental Nurse (GDC 2023) occupational standard.
A faster route in than university
This is a regulated, nationally recognised qualification. You can be GDC-registered and practising in as little as 12 months, compared with 3+ years for a degree route.
Flexible study built around real life
Whether you're a parent returning to work, changing career in your 30s, 40s or 50s, or a school-leaver who'd rather earn than sit in a lecture theatre, this course was built for you. Log in any time, and take it at your pace.
Getting Started
learndirect is the UK’s leading online course provider. Our online courses give you the flexibility to engage with your studies whenever suits you best.
The minute you enrol, your full learning library is unlocked through our online portal, and you will have a dedicated personal tutor on call by email. There's no waiting for a course start date, no term times, no rigid lecture schedule.
Places are limited per intake to protect tutor:learner ratios. Enrol today to secure yours.
Modules
Your diploma is built around 12 core units, totalling 55 credits, 365 guided learning hours and 550 hours of total qualification time, fully aligned with the GDC's Safe Practitioner: Dental Nurse outcomes.
Unit 1. Work Within Regulatory Requirements in Relation to the Role of a Dental Nurse
Upon completion of this unit, you will understand:
- Dental nursing ethics
- Professionalism
- GDC scope of practice
Unit 2. Contribute to Health and Safety in the Dental Environment
Upon completion of this unit, you will understand:
- Infection prevention
- Decontamination
- Health Technical Memorandum (HTM 01-05)
Unit 3. Reflect On and Develop Own Practice as a Dental Nurse
Upon completion of this unit, you will understand:
- CPD
- Supervision
- Professional growth
Unit 4. Promote Oral Health for Individuals
Upon completion of this unit, you will understand:
- Patient education
- Prevention
- Dietary advice
Unit 5. Provide Support During the Assessment of Individuals' Oral Health
Upon completion of this unit, you will understand:
- Chair-side support during clinical assessment
Unit 6. Contribute to the Production of Dental Images
Upon completion of this unit, you will understand:
- Radiography theory
- Practice support
Unit 7. Provide Support During the Prevention and Control of Periodontal Disease, Caries and the Restoration of Cavities
Unit 8. Provide Support During the Provision of Fixed and Removable Prostheses
Upon completion of this unit, you will understand how to support:
- Crowns
- Bridges
- Dentures
Unit 9. Provide Support During Non-Surgical Endodontic Treatment
Upon completion of this unit, you will understand:
- Root canal procedures
Unit 10. Provide Support During the Extraction of Teeth and Minor Oral Surgery Procedures
Unit 11. Dental Anatomy and Assessment of Oral Health
Unit 12. First Aid Essentials
Upon completion of this unit, you will understand:
- Emergency responses in the dental environment
Entry Requirements
There are no formal academic prerequisites at enrolment, but to make the most of the course we'd recommend:
- Reasonable English literacy and numeracy
- A satisfactory DBS check and current Hepatitis B vaccination record (required by your placement practice)
Minimum Age Restriction
16 years.
Average Completion Timeframe
12-18 months, but you have access to the course for 24 months.
Assessment Requirements
Your diploma is assessed in two integrated components:
- A portfolio of evidence built from your real workplace experience, internally assessed by your tutor and externally quality assured by NCFE
- Two externally set, externally marked synoptic multiple-choice tests (MCQs), taken online and on demand, so you book them when you're ready
You progress unit-by-unit, with continuous tutor feedback all the way through.
Placement Required
You require access to a placement in a UK GDC-compliant dental practice with registered professionals for at least 16 hours per week (we offer placement guidance if you need help finding one).
Course Fees
All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans, must be settled before certification can be ordered.
Your diploma is assessed in two integrated components:
- A portfolio of evidence built from your real workplace experience, internally assessed by your tutor and externally quality assured by NCFE
- Two externally set, externally marked synoptic multiple-choice tests (MCQs), taken online and on demand, so you book them when you're ready
You progress unit-by-unit, with continuous tutor feedback all the way through.
NCFE CACHE
On successful completion, you'll receive the NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice of Dental Nursing (Qualification Number: 610/3114/8), regulated by Ofqual and listed on the RQF.
NCFE CACHE is the UK's only specialist awarding organisation for the children, health, care and education sectors. Last year, over 150,000 learners registered with CACHE qualifications across more than 1,000 UK and international centres.
Once qualified and GDC-registered, this diploma opens the door to:
- General Dental Nurse roles in NHS and private practices
- Hospital Dental Nurse posts (maxillofacial, paediatric, special care)
- Specialist orthodontic and implant practices
- Community dental services
And once you're registered, you can stack post-qualification certificates and CPD courses that genuinely move the needle on your salary. Areas such as:
- Dental Radiography
- Oral Health Education
- Cross Infection Control
- Dental Photography
- Dental First Aid and Defibrillator
- Dental Health and Safety
Many of these are also available as CPD courses with learndirect, so your career can keep growing without ever leaving us.
Frequently Asked Questions
- SALE Savings End Midnight Tuesday 19th May
- SALE Savings End Midnight Tuesday 19th May
NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice of Dental Nursing
This Course at a Glance
- Achieve the GDC-recognised qualification required to register and practise as a Dental Nurse in the UK
- Awarded by NCFE CACHE, the UK's leading specialist awarding organisation for health and care
- Study 100% online at your own pace, around work and family
- Complete in just 12-18 months
- Includes dedicated personal tutor support by email
- Interest-free monthly payment plans available
- Workplace placement in a registered dental practice required (minimum 16 hrs/week)
If you've ever wanted a hands-on healthcare career with genuine job security, real progression, and the satisfaction of helping people every single day, dental nursing is one of the smartest moves you can make. Qualified Dental Nurses are in demand in every town in the country across the UK, and you can help fill that gap.
This NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice of Dental Nursing is the gold-standard, GDC-recognised route into the profession. On successful completion you'll be able to apply for registration with the General Dental Council (GDC) and work as a fully qualified Dental Nurse anywhere in the UK.
With learndirect, you can do all this entirely online. There are no in-person classes, no commutes, no rigid timetables; just a flexible, supportive learning experience built around your life. You'll handle your theory through our digital learning platform, while completing your practical assessments in a registered dental practice (we'll help you find one if you don't already have a placement in mind).
Why study Dental Nursing with learndirect?
A career that pays you back
Newly qualified Dental Nurses in the UK earn from £22,000-£28,000, with senior, specialist and team-leader roles paying £30,000+. Add post-registration top-ups in radiography, oral health education, fluoride application, sedation or implant nursing and your earning ceiling rises again.
Earn while you learn
Most learners study this diploma while working as a Trainee Dental Nurse, meaning you're earning a wage from day one. Many practices welcome trainees on the NCFE CACHE route because it integrates seamlessly with the new Dental Nurse (GDC 2023) occupational standard.
A faster route in than university
This is a regulated, nationally recognised qualification. You can be GDC-registered and practising in as little as 12 months, compared with 3+ years for a degree route.
Flexible study built around real life
Whether you're a parent returning to work, changing career in your 30s, 40s or 50s, or a school-leaver who'd rather earn than sit in a lecture theatre, this course was built for you. Log in any time, and take it at your pace.
Getting Started
learndirect is the UK’s leading online course provider. Our online courses give you the flexibility to engage with your studies whenever suits you best.
The minute you enrol, your full learning library is unlocked through our online portal, and you will have a dedicated personal tutor on call by email. There's no waiting for a course start date, no term times, no rigid lecture schedule.
Places are limited per intake to protect tutor:learner ratios. Enrol today to secure yours.
Modules
Your diploma is built around 12 core units, totalling 55 credits, 365 guided learning hours and 550 hours of total qualification time, fully aligned with the GDC's Safe Practitioner: Dental Nurse outcomes.
Unit 1. Work Within Regulatory Requirements in Relation to the Role of a Dental Nurse
Upon completion of this unit, you will understand:
- Dental nursing ethics
- Professionalism
- GDC scope of practice
Unit 2. Contribute to Health and Safety in the Dental Environment
Upon completion of this unit, you will understand:
- Infection prevention
- Decontamination
- Health Technical Memorandum (HTM 01-05)
Unit 3. Reflect On and Develop Own Practice as a Dental Nurse
Upon completion of this unit, you will understand:
- CPD
- Supervision
- Professional growth
Unit 4. Promote Oral Health for Individuals
Upon completion of this unit, you will understand:
- Patient education
- Prevention
- Dietary advice
Unit 5. Provide Support During the Assessment of Individuals' Oral Health
Upon completion of this unit, you will understand:
- Chair-side support during clinical assessment
Unit 6. Contribute to the Production of Dental Images
Upon completion of this unit, you will understand:
- Radiography theory
- Practice support
Unit 7. Provide Support During the Prevention and Control of Periodontal Disease, Caries and the Restoration of Cavities
Unit 8. Provide Support During the Provision of Fixed and Removable Prostheses
Upon completion of this unit, you will understand how to support:
- Crowns
- Bridges
- Dentures
Unit 9. Provide Support During Non-Surgical Endodontic Treatment
Upon completion of this unit, you will understand:
- Root canal procedures
Unit 10. Provide Support During the Extraction of Teeth and Minor Oral Surgery Procedures
Unit 11. Dental Anatomy and Assessment of Oral Health
Unit 12. First Aid Essentials
Upon completion of this unit, you will understand:
- Emergency responses in the dental environment
Entry Requirements
There are no formal academic prerequisites at enrolment, but to make the most of the course we'd recommend:
- Reasonable English literacy and numeracy
- A satisfactory DBS check and current Hepatitis B vaccination record (required by your placement practice)
Minimum Age Restriction
16 years.
Average Completion Timeframe
12-18 months, but you have access to the course for 24 months.
Assessment Requirements
Your diploma is assessed in two integrated components:
- A portfolio of evidence built from your real workplace experience, internally assessed by your tutor and externally quality assured by NCFE
- Two externally set, externally marked synoptic multiple-choice tests (MCQs), taken online and on demand, so you book them when you're ready
You progress unit-by-unit, with continuous tutor feedback all the way through.
Placement Required
You require access to a placement in a UK GDC-compliant dental practice with registered professionals for at least 16 hours per week (we offer placement guidance if you need help finding one).
Course Fees
All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans, must be settled before certification can be ordered.
Assessment
Your diploma is assessed in two integrated components:
- A portfolio of evidence built from your real workplace experience, internally assessed by your tutor and externally quality assured by NCFE
- Two externally set, externally marked synoptic multiple-choice tests (MCQs), taken online and on demand, so you book them when you're ready
You progress unit-by-unit, with continuous tutor feedback all the way through.
Qualifications
NCFE CACHE
On successful completion, you'll receive the NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice of Dental Nursing (Qualification Number: 610/3114/8), regulated by Ofqual and listed on the RQF.
NCFE CACHE is the UK's only specialist awarding organisation for the children, health, care and education sectors. Last year, over 150,000 learners registered with CACHE qualifications across more than 1,000 UK and international centres.
Once qualified and GDC-registered, this diploma opens the door to:
- General Dental Nurse roles in NHS and private practices
- Hospital Dental Nurse posts (maxillofacial, paediatric, special care)
- Specialist orthodontic and implant practices
- Community dental services
And once you're registered, you can stack post-qualification certificates and CPD courses that genuinely move the needle on your salary. Areas such as:
- Dental Radiography
- Oral Health Education
- Cross Infection Control
- Dental Photography
- Dental First Aid and Defibrillator
- Dental Health and Safety
Many of these are also available as CPD courses with learndirect, so your career can keep growing without ever leaving us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Available from as little as
20%
Course Fee |
|
|
With
20% off
|
£2,156.00 |
OFFER ENDS
Tuesday 19th of May
learning
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