DENTAL NURSE APPRENTICESHIPS

Our course has been developed by Dentists and teaching professionals to provide a better way to study to become a qualified Dental Nurse. Our delivery model is a mix of online and employer-based, making us accessible to eligible applicants all over the country. With years of experience providing training for the Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing, the DNA now provides the apprenticeship as an alternative route to qualification.

The national Dental Nurse Academy is the provider for the Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing (GDC 2023) apprenticeship standard, code ST1431.

Qualification is recognised by the General Dental Council (GDC), the Regulatory Body to which ALL Dental Professionals in the UK must belong in order to practise.

This is a 'fully funded' course, meaning that apprentices do not need to pay anything for their course. Most employers are required to cover 5% of the cost (maximum £400); the government will pay the remaining 95%. The cost includes all course fees and assessment fees. Re-sit or re-take fees are charged separately.

Note: For larger employers who pay the Apprenticeship Levy, funding is provided to spend on training and assessing apprentices. In this case the government will add 10% 

Apprentices must be paid for their normal working hours (as defined in the employment contract), including the time spent training for the apprenticeship (normally 6hrs per week).

The current National Minimum Wage rate for an apprentice is £7.55 per hour (for updated figures see the government page on apprentice pay and conditions).

The employer is responsible for meeting the requirements, therefore terms must be agreed between employer and apprentice. This does not involve Dental Nurse Academy.

Normally delivery and assessment take 18 months, including 6 hours per week 'Off-The-Job' training. This may vary depending on individual circumstance. The individualised training plan for each apprentice is defined and agreed during the onboarding stage before the learning period starts.

'Gateway' entry for final assessments requires completion of the online portfolio, sign-off of the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours required, and successful completion of a knowledge test and professional discussion. For learners aged 18 or under, English & Maths Level qualification is also required to enter Gateway. All assessments are conducted online, administered by the NEBDN.

The 'End-Point Assessment' (EPA) involves NEBDN submitting paperwork to both the Department for Education (DfE) and General Dental Council (GDC), before qualification is awarded.

The following apprenticeship eligibility criteria must be met in order to join. These criteria will be checked at "Initial Assessment" stage (the first phase of the application). Applicants must:

1. Be aged 16 or over;

2. Live (hold residency status) in England;

3. Be employed (note we are unable to assist with job search or recruitment);

4. Spend at least 50% of working hours in England;

5. Be able to complete the apprenticeship within the time available (normally 18 months), i.e. not have a visa that expires within this time for example;

6. Not be in full-time education or be undertaking another apprenticeship;

7. Hold Level 2 English and Maths (equivalent to GCSE grade C or higher) if aged 16 - 18. This does not apply for apprentices aged 19+