Overview of apprenticeship
An Integrated Apprenticeship is a job with an accompanying skills development programme designed by employers in the sector. It allows you to gain technical knowledge and real practical experience while being paid to do so. Along with functional and personal skills that are needed for your immediate job and future career you will learn through a mix of project based learning in the workplace, formal off the job training, and the opportunity to practice and embed new skills in a real work context.
The Dental Nurse role complements the role of other dental professionals. One of the primary roles is to provide chair side support to dental professionals and deliver a high level of patient care. Dental Nurses may work in a variety of clinical environments and the Apprenticeship reflects all aspects of clinical responsibilities and duties of a dental nurse's role and will provide the apprentice with the relevant qualification to apply to the General Dental Council (GDC) for professional registration as a dental nurse. Dental Nurses are registered professionals and work within the GDC Standards of the Dental Team and Scope of Practice defined by the GDC Scope of Practice document (Sept 2013).
Delivery Plan and Assessment
Learners will study a qualification, which has been approved by the General Dental Council as meeting the requirements for entry to the professional register. All learners will be required to attend taught sessions to be delivered either at West Suffolk College in Bury St Edmunds or Ipswich, through-out the year. Learners will be supported by 1:1 meetings in the workplace by their dedicated Programme Tutor. Additional learning resources and information will be made available online to ensure a fully blended learning experience.
Learners will be required to complete an End Point Assessment at the end of their learning.
Where will this course take me?
As well as ensuring full competence as a Dental Nurse, this apprenticeship provides a foundation for potential progression into further roles within the dental profession.
Down to business, what can I do and what can I earn?
Your wage is decided by your employer however must meet the National Minimum Wage regulations https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates.
Entry requirements
Whilst any entry requirements will be a matter for individual employers. An apprentice will be expected to have already achieved GCSEs in Maths and English, Grade C or above or 4/5 (new grading) or Functional skills Level 2.
Apprentices without English and Maths at these grades will require at least a Level 1 Functional skill. They however must achieve Level 2 prior to taking their End Point Assessment.
Qualifications
On completion of the apprenticeship, you will have achieved:
- Full Dental Nurse Level 3 Standard.
- Integrated Dental Nurse Diploma.
- Skills for Success - This module is designed by West Suffolk College to ensure you have all the personal skills and behaviours to succeed in the workplace.
- Any required Functional Skills in English or Maths.
How is this funded?
Learners
Apprentices are not required to contribute financially towards Apprenticeship training.
Employers
If you are an employer with an annual wage bill of £3 million or more, you will pay into an apprenticeship levy. This levy is then used to pay for the training element of the apprenticeship course. The total figure for the Apprenticeship is negotiated before enrolment and once confirmed will be taken in monthly payments from your account directly to us or paid to us via invoice should additional fees be required.
If you are an employer with an annual wage bill of under £3 million, the Government will fund 95% of the training fee meaning you will be required to contribute 5%. You may be required to contribute additional fees which we will invoice the company for. The additional fees will be made known and negotiated prior to the Apprentice enrolment.
There are additional incentives available if you are a small employer (under 50) and if you train/recruit a 16-18 year old or 19-24 year old with an Education Health and Care Plan.
Contact us on 01284 716235 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further details of costs and how Apprenticeships are funded.
Try out our apprenticeship levy calculator here
I'm interested. What should I do now?
You apply for an Apprenticeship in the same way you would apply for a job: find an apprenticeship vacancy, send in your CV or complete an application. We can help you with applications and give you interview advice. Please view the following page on our website to see our latest Apprenticeship vacancies.
Apprenticeship Vacancies: https://www.wsc.ac.uk/find-a-course/apprenticeships/vacancies
Alternatively, you can look on the GOV.UK website to see what other Apprenticeships vacancies may be available: https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch
Employers - Please contact us to speak with a member of the Apprenticeship Team for more information and to organise a face to face visit.
Days & times
Please contact us for dates and further information