NEBDN National Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing

Overview

Key Points

• Understand the foundations of dental nursing
• Study oral disease and their treatments
• Learn about minor oral surgery
   
• Start your career with a nationally recognised qualification
• Develop the knowledge and skills you need to be a dental nurse
• Open up other exciting opportunities to progress your career

About your Diploma

Dental nurses provide essential support to dentists and patients during their appointments.

They are responsible for making sure the dentist has everything they need while keeping the patient calm and comfortable.

During your studies you will learn about oral diseases and their treatments. You will also learn about restorative dentistry, child dental health and pain and anxiety control.

As a student of dental nursing you will quickly see how patient care and helping them through their fear of the dentist chair underpins much of the role.

It is an important and rewarding role that can lead on to several other exciting careers once you have obtained the right experience and certifications.

The skills you will gain as you work towards your dental nursing qualification will allow you to competently complete both a formative workplace assessment (including a complete Record of Experience) and a summative assessment.

The summative assessment will comprise of written and practical components aimed at assessing knowledge, decision making and your understanding and competence.

The summative assessment also adheres to current educational best practice. This qualification is awarded by the National Examining Board for Dental Nurses (NEBDN).

Need a placement? We can help!

As part of your NEBDN Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing you are required to complete a Record of Experience - you'll do this in a real dental practice!

If you don't already have a position as a trainee dental nurse, we'll identify vacancies close to you and help you secure employment!

• CV review & advice
• Cover letter writing
• Job opportunity updates

Getting Started

learndirect is one of the UK's leading distance learning providers, helping you to fulfil your academic and professional ambitions.

This course is delivered by a blend of online learning as well as a practical placement. The online element of your course is available to you right away so you can start studying instantly.

This method of study gives you the flexibility to complete those modules in a way that works best for you.

You will be given a dedicated distance learning tutor to support throughout your studies. They will be on hand to answer questions, provide clarification and mark your assignments. Every assignment will be returned with detailed feedback so you can improve throughout your qualification.

Once you have completed the necessary modules you will embark on a work placement to put your learning into practice.

Upon completion of your placement and a summative assessment you will qualify as a Dental Nurse.

Modules

The NEBDN National Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing is recognised by the General Dental Council (GDC) and the curriculum covers all areas set out within the GDC Preparing to Practice publication. The curriculum is split into the following modules:

• Professionalism and the Role of the Dental Nurse
• Health and Safety and Infection Control
• Medical Histories and Medical Emergencies
• Major Systems of the Body and the Saliva Glands
• Anatomy of the Head and Neck, Dental Anatomy and Nerve Supply
• Oral Diseases
• Dental Caries and Periodontal Disease
• Prevention of Oral Disease
• Patient Assessment and Treatment Planning
• Radiography
• Restorative Dentistry
• Endodontics
• Prosthodontics
• Child Dental Health and Orthodontics
• Extractions and Minor Oral Surgery
• Pain and Anxiety Control

Requirements

Before starting this course all learners must:

• Be employed in a dental practice
• Have access to clinical surgery hours within their practice

Assessment

Formal assessment to gain your diploma is carried out by 3 different methods:

• Witnesses in your practice providing e-portfolio evidence of your in-practice experience
• A written exam
• A practical exam

To gain their diploma learners have to complete all 3 elements.

Qualifications

Once all assessment activities have been completed learners will be awarded the NEBDN National Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing. This covers all parts of development outcomes described within the GDC preparing to practice document.

Developing your career

After successfully gaining your NEBDN National Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing you can register yourself with the dental regulating body, the General Dental Council (GDC), as a Dental nurse. Once registered, Dental Nurses can develop their careers in many directions by choosing further qualifications in:

• Dental Radiography
• Dental Nurse Sedation
• Oral Health Education
• Dental Implant Nursing
• Orthodontic Dental Nursing
• Special Care Dental Nursing
• Extended Duties
• Practice Management
• Dental Nurse Tutoring

In addition, this qualification can be the stepping stone to becoming a successful dental hygienist/therapist.