NEBDN Information

About The NEBDN

The National Examining Board for Dental Nurses (NEBDN) is the awarding body that sets the syllabus and awards the professional qualification recognised by the General Dental Council (GDC). As an accredited training centre, The Dental Nurse Academy (DNA) must register students with the NEBDN in order for them to complete their online portfolio and sit the required examination assessments.

Students must complete a clinical portfolio during the course, known as the Portfolio of Evidence (PoE). This was previously the Record of Experience (RoE).

All witnesses must be GDC registered in order to sign a student’s evidence. This means there must be a GDC-registered person within the practice who can witness the work undertaken.

Access to the portfolio is provided online through the NEBDN’s platform PebblePad. Login details are provided via email by the NEBDN once registration with the NEBDN has been confirmed by DNA.

GDC Registration Requirements

The General Dental Council (GDC) requires all trainee dental nurses to be enrolled on a recognised training programme within 12 months of starting dental nursing duties.

Diploma Registration

The NEBDN fee (£525) does not need settling immediately, however learners are responsible for ensuring that they comply with GDC and NEBDN timing and compliance requirements. The Dental Nurse Academy will support learners through the registration process with the NEBDN (this can be discussed during the Welcome Call or by speaking to our Administration Team at any point during your programme, noting that Exam date targeting will be based on the student's knowledge and experience), but responsibility for meeting regulatory deadlines ultimately rests with the learner and their employer.

Registration with the NEBDN must take place early enough to allow sufficient time to complete the required portfolio (RoE/PoE) before the target examination date. Depending on the learner's experience we would recommend completing the PoE in a minimum of 8-12 months. Longer if the learner is new to dentistry. NEBDN guidelines are minimum of 8 months. Learners should not assume that late registration will allow enough time to prepare evidence and complete the portfolio prior to an examination sitting. The sooner registration is completed, the longer the student will have to complete their online portfolio (PoE/RoE) ahead of the examination. Late registration or inability to meet the requirements will not give reason for course fee refund.

The process for NEBDN Exam registration is as follows:

Students complete the required documentation, starting with the NEBDN Initial Assessment Form
The Student or Employer pays the NEBDN exam fee
The Dental Nurse Academy registers the student with the NEBDN

To complete the NEBDN Initial Assessment Form, log in to the Dental Nurse Academy website, then visit:
https://dentalnurseacademy.com/nebdn-initial-assessment-form/
(note this page is only available to logged-in students)

Apprentice Registration

Apprentices have additional requirements to meet. Registration must be completed within 12 weeks of apprenticeship start date. Your individualised training plan will contain specific information (which may differ to the 12 weeks). This will align to the discussions you have had with your Engagement Manager during your Initial Assessment and Onboarding. The process for NEBDN Exam registration for an apprentice is as follows:

Apprentice demonstrates good engagement during induction and initial assignments
The Dental Nurse Academy registers the student with the NEBDN

NEBDN Fees

The NEBDN fee includes registration and examinations.

NEBDN Diploma Exam & Registration Fee

Either the student or the employer can pay the Diploma Exam & Registration Fee. If the employer is paying, the NEBDN Information and Employer Letters provided in the Welcome Pack should be given to the employer. Note that where fees are paid by an employer or other third party, the contractual relationship remains between The Dental Nurse Academy and the Learner (see Terms and Conditions for more information).

The NEBDN Diploma Exam & Registration Fee is £525.00

This fee can be paid via Credit or Debit Card (click here to go to 'my account' and pay online). If you would prefer to pay via Bank Transfer (BACS) or Cheque, please contact [email protected] to arrange payment.

Note: the NEBDN Exam and registration for students joining Dental Nurse Academy before 16th April 2025 but registering after 15th June 2025 is £725.

NEBDN Apprenticeship Exam & Registration Fee

The NEBDN registration fee is included in your apprenticeship funding, so there are no additional fees to pay to access the PoE or sit the exams.

However resit or re-take charges apply (see below for details)

NEBDN Diploma Fees (Withdrawal, Deferral, Resit, Transfer)

Withdrawal

If you wish to be withdrawn from an NEBDN exam, there are no associated fees. However if you change your mind and wish to be reinstated, NEBDN willl charge the £525 Exam & Registration fee again for a new RoE/PoE and you will need to start again.

If we need to withdraw a student who has not paid a deferral fee in time, not paid their course fees in time or confirmed their intentions to the [email protected] or another member of the DNA admin team in writing; We will have to withdraw the student. Once withdrawn, the student will need to pay £525 to the NEBDN and have to restart their PoE/RoE. NB: This is the NEBDN policy, to which we must adhere. We have no control over this and their decision is final.

Reinstatement of withdrawn written exam student: £525

Deferral (changing exam date)

Written exam deferral: £50 (first time)

Written exam deferral: £100 (repeat)

Late NEBDN deferral fees also apply.

Exam Resit / Re-take

Resit/Retake fees are not included and all associated costs must be borne by the Employer. See Terms & Conditions for full requirements regarding resits/re-takes

Knowledge Test / Written exam resit fee: £150

Knowledge Test / Written exam deferral fee: £150 (if deferred within 5 weeks of planned exam)

Professional Discussion / OSCE resit fee: £300

Professional Discussion / OSCE exam deferral fee: £150 (if deferred within 5 weeks of planned exam)

Transfer

RoE transfer from one course provider to the Academy: £200 (within 14 days)

RoE transfer from one course provider to the Academy: £525 (after 14 days). All work will be lost and the learner will need to start again.

PoE transfer from another course provider to the Academy: £POA

NEBDN Apprenticeship Fees (Withdrawal, Deferral, Resit, Transfer)

Apprenticeship is a 'fully funded' course. Any associated fees are described in the apprenticeship agreement.

Additional fees relating to the apprenticeship, if applicable, can only be paid by the employer.

Re-sit for Apprenticeship Knowledge Test: £35
Re-sit for Apprenticeship Professional Discussion: £300

Please contact [email protected] to arrange payment.

Learners can take a maximum of three Knowledge Test resits after which they must begin the programme again from registration (in which case additional course fees also apply).

Learners can take a maximum of three Professional Discussion resits after which they must begin the programme again from registration (in which case additional course fees also apply).

Back to Start fees may also apply - these are stipulated in the Employer Framework Agreement.

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