Job overview
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This role is offered on an Apprenticeship basis for 19 months.
The Level 3 Dental Nurse apprenticeship at Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable clinical experience and training in community dental settings and achieve a Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing alongside the Level 3 Dental Nurse Apprenticeship Standard, recognised by the General Dental Council (GDC).
An apprenticeship is suitable for anyone who has an interest in pursuing a career within healthcare as well as gaining a Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing.
Alongside this full-time Dental Nurse role, you will be enrolled onto the Dental Nurse Apprenticeship Programme and will be expected to study and complete assignments to achieve a recognised Level 3 Dental Nurse qualification. The apprenticeship will include the expectation to complete the Level 3 Dental Nurse Apprenticeship within a 19 month timeframe which includes an end point assessment.
This post is open to candidates who are looking to start their career in a dental and healthcare environment with no previous experience or alternatively the more experienced healthcare worker looking for a change to further their clinical knowledge and skills.
Main duties of the job
Dental Nurses play a vital role with assisting in all clinical aspects within the surgery. Working under the direction of a Dental Officer they take care of the needs of patients by providing a high level of care.
The role of a Dental Nurse can be a physical one and successful apprentices will be expected to have an understanding of all patients’ needs. An apprentice can be exposed to distressing or emotional circumstances in relation to patients who may be in severe pain and anxious of dental treatment.
Dental Nurses are expected to be friendly, caring and sensitive with the confidence to communicate with patients and healthcare professional colleagues.
The key result areas for the role are that the apprentice will be required to:
- Assist Dental Officers in the provision of clinical dentistry within the Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
- To support the Senior Nurse in the day to day running of clinics as required
- To provide a high standard of care to service users
- To maintain personal and professional development
- To ensure trust policies and protocols are adhered to
- Monitor and report the necessary for repairs/service/maintenance of equipment
- Participate in clinical audits
The qualification, training & experience requirements for the role are underlined in the Job Description/Person Specification.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
An apprenticeship is suitable for anyone who has an interest in pursuing a career within healthcare as well as gaining a Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing, whilst being fully paid, with no university fees.
Dental Nurses play a vital role with assisting in all clinical aspects, within the surgery and working under the direction of a Dental Officer, they take care of the needs of patients by providing a high level of care.
If you have a ‘can do’ attitude, and enjoy building good working relationships, we welcome your application.
At Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, we are supportive of the people we care for in the community and aim to provide a fully responsive service to everyone who needs it. This is the same approach we take for our employees. We look to value the skills and experiences of those we work with, whether they are service users, carers, families or those looking to work with us.
The job of Dental Nurse can be a physical one and successful apprentices will be expected to have an understanding of all patients’ needs. An apprentice can be exposed to distressing or emotional circumstances in relation to patients who may be in severe pain and anxious of dental treatment.
Dental Nurses are expected to be friendly, caring and sensitive, with the confidence to communicate with patients and healthcare professional colleagues.
- Assist Dental Officers in the provision of clinical dentistry within the Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
- To support the Senior Nurse in the day to day running of the clinics as required.
- To provide a high standard of care to service users
- To maintain personal and professional development.
- To ensure Trust policies and protocols are adhered to
- Monitor and report the necessary for repairs/service/maintenance of equipment
Participate in clinical audits
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Minimum of 3 GCSE's (or equivalent) including English, Mathematics
Desirable
- Science or Health and Social Care based subject
Nature of Experience
Essential
- Ability to work on own initiative, independently and as part of a team and Evidence of good interpersonal skills working
Desirable
- No previous experience is required although it would be desirable that the individual is able to demonstrate some prior experience and understanding of caring for others on a voluntary basis
Personal skills, abilities and attributes
Essential
- Communication skills; verbally, in writing and the use of IT skills with basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Word and e-mail programmes
- Eager and committed to learning
Desirable
- Ability to prioritise and plan workload and meet tight deadlines
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Apprentice Dental Nurse with Gloucestershire Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust in St Paul's Dental Centre. It is listed as a Dental nurse role. The advertised salary is £15,600 Apprenticeship Salary for 12 months then NMW. The contract type is Apprenticeship: 19 months. The application deadline is 07 Sep 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (19 Aug 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
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