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IT Services Update - Thursday 28th March 2024
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Dental Nursing Apprenticeship (DUP)

We are delighted to offer the Level 3 Apprenticeship in Dental Nursing.

To work as a dental nurse it is essential to complete a qualification that is recognised by the General Dental Council (GDC). Successful completion of this qualification will allow you to register with the GDC and work as a dental nurse.

Course Info
How to Apply
Who is this course for?

The course is aimed at learners aged 16-21 who wish to complete a Dental Nursing Apprenticeship. You will be required to attend college every week on a day release basis during college term time. Apprentices aged 16-18 years will be paid a minimum of £3.70 per hour whilst undertaking the apprenticeship. For those aged 19 or over you will be paid this wage for the first year of the apprenticeship, this will increase to the National Minimum Wage for your age in your second year of training. You will be paid for your day release to college.

What will I learn?

The apprenticeship is made up of theory (knowledge) that you will learn in college and practical skills that you will learn in the workplace.

You’ll complete both practical on-the-job-training to get real experience, and learning that develops your knowledge and understanding of your job

In the workplace skills (On-the-job-training) you will learn:

  • Greeting and supporting patients
  • Setting up for clinical treatments (instruments, materials etc.)
  • Completing patient dental charts and updating patient records
  • Cleaning and sterilising of dental instruments
  • Working closely with other team members

In college (Off-the-job-training) you will learn:

  • Theories that underpin the practical skills you learn in the workplace in relation to Cross Infection Control
  • Importance of working safely, for the protection of self, patients and others
  • Dental and regional anatomy
  • Practical First Aid Skills
  • Radiography
How will I be assessed?

The Level 3 Apprenticeship in Dental Nursing consists of three components:

  1. Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing (City & Guilds) consists of:
  • 4 on-line examinations undertaken during the 2 year course. These examinations are 40 minutes long and consist of multiple choice questioning. These will take place at the Colchester Campus.
  • An online portfolio of evidence which will include observations from your assessor, witness statements and assignments.
  1. If you do not already have certificates for GCSE’s in English and maths you will be required to complete Level 2 Functional Skills in English and maths (City & Guilds).

Apprentices will receive regular individual feedback from their tutors and assessors to support and enable their development. All apprentices are visited in the workplace regularly for support and to ensure progression.

  1. Apprentices will then pass through the Apprenticeship Gateway. This is a final independent assessment that will comprise of a written project and a professional discussion.

On successful completion of all of the above components you will achieve an Apprenticeship in Dental Nursing that will allow you to register with the GDC.

What award will I receive?

Level 3 Apprenticeship in Dental Nursing which consists of the following components: Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing, Level 2 Functional Skills in English and maths and Level 3 Award in Employment and Personal Learning Skills in Health.

Entry Requirements

5 GSCE’s A-C (9-4) to include English and maths are required, and a science is preferred.

Apprentices will need to evidence a good level of English and maths by participating in a screening procedure at interview. Any additional support that is required will be individually assessed.

Apprentices will be helped to gain employment in a dental practice undertaking clinical chair side duties with a contract of employment for between 30-40 hours per week which includes your day release time at college. Employer agreement and support will be given as assessment in the workplace is an essential component of the programme.

Workplace Requirements

You will need to secure employment in a dental practice following a successful interview.

All workplaces will have been assessed and deemed a suitable environment for an apprentice to undertake training. A full health & safety assessment is reviewed on a regular basis.

Prior to undertaking clinical duties you will be required to commence a course of vaccinations against Hepatitis B. Your employer will also complete a DBS check.

Once you feel prepared and ready for workplace observation your assessor will visit you on agreed dates.

Case Studies


NameJourney
Samantha LowtherCourse: Advanced Apprenticeship in Dental Nursing
Accepted in to Eastman School of Hygiene and Therapy after completing her course at Colchester Institute in June 2016
Melica Bastani-BoshehriCourse: Advanced Apprenticeship in Dental Nursing
Accepted into the University of Essex to complete FdSc in Oral Health Sciences after completing her course at Colchester Institute in June 2016
Pippa Tippet
  • Completed FT Apprenticeship at Colchester Institute in 2012
  • Qualified as a Dental Hygienist in 2014 at The University of Essex
Melanie Pomphrett
  • Completed PT Apprenticeship at Colchester Institute in 2013
  • Qualified as a Dental Hygienist in 2015 at The University of Essex
Libby Morgan
  • Completed FT Apprenticeship at Colchester Institute in 2012
  • Qualified Oral Health Educator through Bart’s Hospital London
  • Workplace training mentor for Dental Nurses in Manningtree
Hayley Sutton
  • Completed PT Evening Course at Colchester Institute in 2012
  • Emigrated to Perth, Australia and is working as a senior dental nurse
Josie-Mae McKeon
  • Completed FT Apprenticeship at Colchester Institute in 2014
  • Working at Pure Orthodontics to achieve her goal of qualifying as an Orthodontic Therapist
Tasnim Mutakabbir
  • Completed FT Apprenticeship at Colchester Institute in 2013
  • Completed NEBDN Post Certificate Qualification in Dental Radiography
  • Working at North Hill Dental Practice as the Dental Nurse supervisor
Becky Thorpe
  • Completed PT Evening Course at Colchester Institute in 2014
  • Working at Dental Applications Lab, Earls Colne and is in-training to be a Dental Technician
Louise Bambrick
  • Completed PT Evening Course at Colchester Institute in 2013
  • In second year of training at Newcastle University working towards achieving BSc Oral & Dental Health Sciences
Lauren Bellerby & Ellie Mooney
  • Completed Dental Decontamination Qualification in 2015
  • Progressed onto Advanced Apprenticeship in Dental Nursing 2015
Jessica Roberts
  • Completed FT Apprenticeship at Colchester Institute in 2013
  • Completed NEBDN Post Certificate Qualification in Dental Sedation whilst working at Colchester Dental Referral Centre
Sharon Bowles
  • Completed PT Evening Course at Colchester Institute in 2005
  • Completed NEBDN Post Certificate Qualification in Dental Radiography
  • Clinical Practice Manager at R.Patel & Associates, Braintree
Gemma Pearman
  • Completed PT Evening Course at Colchester Institute in 2012
  • Practice Manager at The Smile Clinic Colchester
Tara Barton
  • Completed PT Evening Course at Colchester Institute in 2008
  • Completed NEBDN Post Certificate Qualifications in Oral Health Education and Dental Sedation whilst working at Colchester Dental Referral Centre
  • Works alongside Oral Surgeon & Implantologist Nadir Khan
Stephanie Hutton
  • Completed FT Apprenticeship at Colchester Institute in 2015
  • Secured position straight from Apprenticeship to study FdSc in Oral Health Science at University of Essex (Southend Campus)
Babita Limbu
  • Completed FT Apprenticeship at Colchester Institute in 2014
  • Has completed her Access Course at Colchester Institute to progress into Higher Education
Sanaz Bastani-Boshehri
  • Completed PT Evening Course at Colchester Institute in 2015
  • Practice Manager at Clacton Dental Care

To apply for a Dental Nursing apprenticeship, please read through the information below and select the application button from the menu underneath this section.

The application window for joint applications for full-time courses and apprenticeships starting in September 2023 opened on Monday, 3rd October, at 12pm.

We have many apprenticeship vacancies with Dental employers throughout the region, and applicants will be matched to suitable vacancies and then put forward for interview. In order to undertake a Dental Nursing Apprenticeship, you must secure an offer of employment by September, ready for enrolment.

If successful at the interview stage, we will work with you and your new employer to complete the sign-up and enrolment.

If you are unsuccessful in securing a Dental Nursing Apprenticeship position after being accepted onto the course by the dental team at Colchester Institute, and are aged 16-18, we will guarantee you a place on a full-time Health and Social Care programme with us so that you have a backup in place for September*.

Once you have read the above, please click the button ‘Apply Online’ in the menu underneath this section, where you will proceed to the next stage of the application process.

*Your GCSE grades will determine which level of course you would start.

What if I have already secured an employer?

If you have already spoken to an employer and secured an Apprenticeship contract of employment, then please click the button ‘Apply Online’ button in the menu underneath this section, where you will move on to the next stage of the application process.

Once you have submitted your application, we will work with you and your employer to complete the sign-up and enrolment onto the programme.

What if I am already in employment and my employer would like to put me through an apprenticeship?

If you are already working as a Dental Nurse, and your employer would like to put me through an apprenticeship, then we will work with you and your employer to complete the sign-up and enrolment onto the programme.

What if I would like to switch to an apprenticeship from my current course or employment circumstances?

If you are currently in years 12 and 13, but looking to find an apprenticeship and switch mid-year, or not in education but looking to become an apprentice, then our Apprenticeship Admissions Team will be happy to advise you on any suitable vacancies.

If you are unsure about any of the above and would like to speak to our apprenticeships team, get in touch using the below details.

01206 712043 – Applicant Enquiries or email:

ci.apprenticeships@colchester.ac.uk

Employer Enquiries

If you would be interested in finding out more about how this apprenticeship can work for your business or already have a member of staff who this apprenticeship would be perfect for, please get in touch using the ‘Hire an Apprentice: Enquire Here’ button in the menu below.

Dental Nursing Apprenticeship
Course Outline: Successful completion of this qualification will allow you to register with the GDC and work as a dental nurse.

Starting employment as an apprentice can occur throughout the year however the start-date for attending college for training, where required, will be communicated post-employment and sign-up.

LevelLevel 3
LocationColchester
Duration36 weeks per year, for approximately two years.
Campus / Adult Skills CentreColchester Campus
Apprenticeship Funding Band (Levy paying employers)£6,000
Employer Contribution Fee (Non-levy paying employers)£300

What will this cost my Business?

Non-levy paying employers will need to contribute 5% of the maximum funding band as published by the Skills Funding Agency for the delivery of training and assessment for their apprenticeship. Levy paying employers will pay the full cost of the agreed funding band using their Digital Apprenticeship account.

Apprenticeship Funding Bands

Apprenticeship Funding Bands
Employers with less than 50 employees who are recruiting an apprentice aged 16-18 years old will not be required to pay the contribution fee. Any associated cost to the individual will be made clear at the interview.

Disclaimer

All fees, prices and funding information shown on this page are for courses starting in the 2023-24 academic year unless stated otherwise, and are correct at the time of entering/printing information, however these may be subject to change due to factors outside of our control. The College cannot accept legal or financial liability as a result of any such changes.

Courses fees are generally not confirmed for September until June / July due to the above factors.

The course information describes programmes offered by Colchester Institute. The College takes all reasonable steps to provide courses as described, but cannot guarantee provision. The information is for guidance and does not form any part of a contract.

The College reserves the right to update and amend information as and when necessary. Colchester Institute will do its best to provide the courses shown, but may have to modify or withdraw a course depending on customer demand and other factors.