Who is this course suitable for? 

Trainee dental nurses who are in current employment or will be working by the start date

Where are the centres?

We run classes in Croydon (South London) and Brighton.  See our centres, dates and fees page for more information

Are any qualifications needed to join the course?

No previous qualifications are needed. We will invite applicants to the centre for an interview to find out more about the  course and exams and discuss any concerns or needs.  We will then offer a course place based on a satisfactory English skills  and basic dental knowledge assessment and provide an employer / workplace information pack

What happens then?

One month before the course start date the employer should return the training agreement and fees are due.  We will then register you with the examining body (National Examining Board for Dental Nurses – NEBDN)

What coursework is involved?

Coursework forms an essential part of the on-going assessment of training.  During the first 6 months the ‘Record of Experience’ (RoE) is completed.  This involves completing a series of on-line log sheets of workplace activities that have been observed by a GDC registered staff member (a ‘Witness’).  The ‘Witness’ assesses the log sheets and completes online feedback to the student

Approximate time commitment for the Witness is 30 minutes a week (only until the Record of Experience has been completed). For the student the commitment is about 2 hours a week.  The time commitment will increase during the revision weeks as a student will want to make sure they have a thorough knowledge of the topics

What training does the ‘Witness’ have to do?

NEBDN provide a brief (mandatory) online training module (1 hour verifiable CPD) to ensure they understand how to assess the log sheets to NEBDN requirements

What role will the employer / workplace have?

Before the trainee starts we ask the Employer to:

– Complete the NEBDN training agreement
– Appoint one (or more if wished) GDC registrant to act as the trainee’s ‘Witness’
– Agree to complete the NEBDN 3 monthly progress report template

What is covered in the class sessions?

Our training programme follows the NEBDN Curriculum covering the General Dental Council (GDC) ‘learning outcomes’ for trainee dental nurses

During PowerPoint presentations the tutor covers all curriculum topics, provides guidance on coursework and exam practice in the revision stage

Examples of topics covered:

– Requirements of GDC Registration, the GDC Standards and Principles
– Infection Control, microbiology, HTM 01 05 ‘Essential Quality Requirements’ (EQR) and ‘Best Practice’
– Health and safety,  risk assessment, waste management, safe methods of working
– Data Protection Act and Principles, maintaining patient confidentiality
– Professionalism, social media, reflective practice and personal development plans
– Radiography, safety, use of dental films, processing methods and quality assurance
– Dental materials, uses, advantages and disadvantages
– Caries and periodontal diseases, contributory factors and progression

What support is given to students?

Support or reasonable adjustments for a disability or other needs are identified and discussed at the interview stage or at any point during the course.  Tutors provide written and verbal feedback for coursework and Mock exams.
3 monthly individual progress reviews are held to discuss achievements and help identify areas to develop

Should any particular support be needed with coursework a one to one tutorial can be arranged – either at the centre or in a telephone call.   We will always make time to listen to a student or the workplace

When is the exam held?

Students who start the course in January will enter the following November and January sitting
Students who start the course in June will enter the following April and June sitting

What happens in the exam and how are students prepared for this?

There are 2 exams, held 6 weeks apart. Part 1 must be achieved in order to enter Part 2.

Part 1 is a 2 ½ hour paper of 125 multiple choice style questions. No essays or written work involved!

Part 2 (OSCEs) is a practical assessment involving a series of activities where students demonstrate basic dental nurse abilities. This may include selecting instruments, mixing materials, identifying emergency drugs and equipment, medical emergencies and giving aftercare instructions to patients

The exams require knowledge as well as reasoning, analysis and ‘thinking on your feet’ type skills and so during specific revision activities we work through written and practical exercises in order to develop abilities and build confidence. We also provide a comprehensive revision pack of activities including written and research exercises

What are the Training 4 Practice exam results?

We are delighted that our students’ dedication to their goals has lead to pass rates that are consistently above the national average and we are happy to discuss these results with you on request or at the interview

Can I register with the General Dental Council once I have the qualification?

You can apply for registration as a Dental Nurse once you have passed both parts of the exam.  The GDC will consider your application based on various requirements such as providing a character and health reference. Their website is www.gdc-uk.org

How do you help students learn?

We believe that when there is involvement in learning then understanding and skills develop more easily and so we engage students using structured class workshops, practical activities and discussions.  This not only helps the student understand the information, but also to recognise how to usefully apply the knowledge in a work role

Examples of practical activities:

– Mixing dental materials to manufacturer’s instructions and to exam requirements.
– Recognising and setting up dental instruments and items for a range of procedures.
– Manual charting.
– Oral health advice and post-operative instructions for patients.
– Managing medical emergencies.

Handouts are given for every topic and written in key points instead of vast amounts of text. The student builds on these during the lesson by writing their own notes – essential to provide that memory link which will serve them as they later review their notes in revision

A student’s commitment to their progress is essential however, we aim to guide and support them as they take ownership of, and responsibility for, their learning and development of a professional and reflective attitude which will serve them, their practices and their patients

What are the fees and when do these have to be paid?

Total fee is £1,585

This covers course costs and NEBDN exam fees (£425) and registration and coursework fees (£60)

Payment is due one month before the course start to allow time for NEBDN to process the registration and send the student their online coursework log – in details. Early registration means the student can start their coursework without delay and so avoid falling behind

What happens if a student cannot take the exam as planned? Or does not pass?

In line with GDC recommendations, the aim is to enter the student at the end of the course. Only if there is an unavoidable situation will deferment be considered. In this case the student will pay an administrative and course extension fee and enter the next exam in 6 months’ time

In the case of not achieving a pass, a student can resit in 6 months’ time after they have carried out further revision.  Resit and course extension fees will apply

What qualifications do the Tutors have?

Tutors are all GDC registered Dental Nurses holding a qualification to teach in the adult learning sector. All have taught the Dental Nurse qualification for many years and some have experience as NEBDN examiners

Training 4 Practice course lead and director is Corinne Luke GDC no: 126514

How do I apply for an interview?

Contact us for an application form by emailing contact@training4practice.com.

You can also download the application form here

Further information

If you want any further information we would be happy to have an informal conversation with you.  Please call Corinne Luke on 0780 828 8117.

Information about the National Examining Board for Dental Nurse qualifications and training providers can be found on their website www.nebdn.org

Information about the General Dental Council, registration for dental professionals and requirements for employing trainees can be found at www.gdc-uk.org