Have you ever thought about Dental Nursing – as a Career?
To celebrate Careers Week (3rd – 8th March), this blog explores the busy but rewarding role of the Dental Nurse and offers insights and suggestions on where to go from here, if you decide that Dental Nursing is the career for you!
What do Dental Nurses do?
So I’m sure you have heard your Dentist calling out a series or numbers or letters to your Dental Nurse, while you lie in the Dental Chair with your mouth open, unable to ask what it is they are actually talking about… But what does a Dental actually do all day? Read on to find out what is involved in the day to day life of a Dental Nurse…
What Does being a Dental Nurse involve?
Preparation
- A Dental Nurse starts the day by ensuring the surgery room is clean and organised, ready for the day ahead.
- Preparation is key to the smooth running of the day and ensures the Dental Nurse can focus on the care and comfort of the patient; while assisting the Dentist.
- Before patients arrive, dental nurses may review patient records, including medical histories and specific treatment plans.
- At the end of the day, the nurse ensures all equipment is sterilised and stored, and that the dental surgery is clean and prepared for the next day.
- To fail to prepare is to prepare to fail! A key skill for Dental Nurses is organisation!
Infection control
- Sterilising dental instruments, setting up trays, and ensuring the right materials are available for upcoming procedures.
- Infection Control is THE most important role of a Dental Nurse, as it limits the spread bacteria and ensures that all instruments are safe and ready to use, alongside all necessary treatment materials.
- After each procedure, dental nurses disinfect the treatment area and sterilize the instruments, preparing the room for the next patient. The Dental Nurse is tasked with ‘turning the surgery around’ which is Dental Nurse language for ensuring that the chair and surgery is clean and ready to use, between each appointment.
- Dental Nurses undergo comprehensive training, ahead of assisting in the surgery. Trainee Dental Nurses, may shadow a more experienced Dental Nurse, while they are training; ensuring they are aware of CQC regulations and GDC standards in practice.
Further Training
- Further training is available for qualified Dental Nurses; this includes Impression Taking, Radiography and Implants.
Patient Care
- Patient comfort is key throughout any procedure; it is the Dental Nurse who will assist the Dentist, ensure moisture control with the suction tube and provide expert hand holding for patients whenever they need it.
- After procedures, Dental Nurses may help patients with aftercare instructions. If patients have had a minor procedure, an extraction for example, a Dental Nurse may provide after-care instructions to the patient; ensuring they know how to care for the site at home.
- Greeting and comforting patients, ensuring they are prepared for their appointments. Some patients are nervous about coming to the Dentist, the Dental Nurse, is the smiling, reassuring presence that patients rely on, during their appointment.
- Dental nurses work closely with the dentist during treatments like fillings, extractions, root canals, and more.
- A well-trained Dental Nurse, will be aware of who is coming in that day and will make every effort to discus patient specifics with the Dentist ahead of patient arrival; this could include needing to move to a ground floor surgery, if a patient is less mobile.
Administration
- Dental nurses may assist with managing patient records, booking future appointments, and updating digital or paper-based systems.
- While the Dentist is busy examining a patient’s mouth, the Dental Nurse will be updating the patient records.
- They may also help with stock control, ordering new supplies, and managing equipment maintenance. Dental Nurses, are usually responsible for their own work space, this includes strict stock rotation, for patient safety and cost effectiveness!
How to become a Dental Nurse
The National Association of Dental Nurses, found here https://www.nebdn.org/ lists available course providers, should you decide to pursue a career in Dental Nursing. It is worthwhile, securing a full or part time Dental Nursing position, to gain experience in a Dental Practice, while studying.
Keep an eye on our careers page, where you will find all vacancies at Dartford Road Dental Centre. Here you have the option to upload your CV, so we have it ahead of any future vacancies!
What Next?
There are many career paths available to a qualified Dental Nurse including:
- Specialist Dental Nursing careers
- Receptionist Positions
- Managerial Roles
- Training/ Assessor roles
- Army Based Dental Nurse roles
Many of our support staff have completed courses with The Dental Nurse Network Academy;
- Bev, our Head Dental Nurse completed an accredited Lead Nurse course,
- Cassie, our Receptionist is a qualified Patient care Co-coordinator
- Lou, our Manager (also a qualified Dental Nurse) gained an Infection Control qualification.
Check out the available courses and plan your career path today! https://www.dentalnursenetwork.com/dental-courses.html
