How to get into DENTAL NURSING?

I've just finished a rather pointless degree which aims at no specific job.
My mum suggested dental nursing and I've been liking the idea for a couple weeks now, I've done quite a bit of research and feel like its a job I'd suit plus there's progression, from a diploma in dental nursing I could go on to be a dental hygienist which is the aim.

I've found a local course who I've been in contact with and is starting next week. It's costs about £1000- for that you get tuition every Wednesday evening and the rest of the time you'll be on training. The course helps you find a local training company, of course been a dental trainee you get payed, only min wage though.
The course takes a year and then you have your dental nursing diploma. The exams cost an additional £600 but you don't need to pay anything until nearer the time.

My mum isn't very happy about the course and says its robbery and that it's just putting money in someone else's pocket. She thinks I should just find a company who will take me on as a trainee and then they will sort out a course to get my qualification as 'any good company with help/want you to progress' - is she right?

Thank for any help/advice.

I've just finished a rather pointless degree which aims at no specific job.
My mum suggested dental nursing and I've been liking the idea for a couple weeks now, I've done quite a bit of research and feel like its a job I'd suit plus there's progression, from a diploma in dental nursing I could go on to be a dental hygienist which is the aim.

I've found a local course who I've been in contact with and is starting next week. It's costs about £1000- for that you get tuition every Wednesday evening and the rest of the time you'll be on training. The course helps you find a local training company, of course been a dental trainee you get payed, only min wage though.
The course takes a year and then you have your dental nursing diploma. The exams cost an additional £600 but you don't need to pay anything until nearer the time.

My mum isn't very happy about the course and says its robbery and that it's just putting money in someone else's pocket. She thinks I should just find a company who will take me on as a trainee and then they will sort out a course to get my qualification as 'any good company with help/want you to progress' - is she right?

Thank for any help/advice.

Hey guys,

I would recommend looking for local practices advertising for trainees that way you get their support and the experience of working within a practice (and being paid a more reasonable wage than apprenticeship). Best of luck, DN is a totally different career than it once was, there is so much scope to progress and acquire new skills, which would hopefully lead to you achieving a place on a DH&T course!!

Hi yes, that's exactly what ivf said get a trainee nurse in a practice, local health board or Even a full time college place. The general dental practice here pay min wage, the Nhs health boards pay 16k training then around 19 when qualified. I'd guess that's the best route but probably most competition. I'm only really doing it to move to into therapy by next year. Are you a dental nurse at the minute

that should say the college can't find out you hold a degree unless you tell them. All options unless you have an employer who will pay for you will mean you need to pay the registration exam yourself at end and the practical oske

good luck with it. If there is anything I can do to help or advise you just ask.

Oh the other thing is dental nursing is poorly paid, it's generally around minimum wage but if u can get to work in Nhs dental hosp it pays better than a general dental practice. The first thing is get qualified though. However if u can get into dental therapy or hygiene it pays very well. There are some courses in England you can get Nhs bursary for rather than student loan this would be your best option it's general two yours for dip dental hygiene and most courses are now combined as a dual qualification at 3 years. As you like me will already have used your student loan funding you need to get on a course that offers bursary funding. Last thing try and find some where the will let u observe in practice for a day make sure your not bother by b.o vommit urine blood saliva etc the inside of some mouths is beyond disgusting best to check you can cope with it it's a real eye opener.

Hi, thanks for your reply! I read it a couple of days ago but I've just been pondering over what to do...
I've decided against that course I had to pay for, the company rang me 3 times today and twice on blocked (didn't pick up) - must be pretty desperate!
I looked into Dental Hygine which is what I want to do, all of them ask for a GCSE grade A-C in biology, which I don't have, I did science and got my lowest grade, D. They also ask for a Dental Nurse Cert.
-- neither do I have.
Today I looked on NHS courses, which seems to be the best option...do you think if I pass the dental nursing I will be able to straight onto hygine? Even if I don't have A-C in sciences.... That's the aim, I don't really want to be a dental nurse as the pays rubbish!
The course starts around Feb next year (unsure of the month 100%, can't remember), Im going to applyig but in the meantime I'm going to do Au Pairing in Italy or Spain and then Chalet Host in France during the winter.
When does the course your looking at start?

thanks again for your reply! Helpful

It's best to just apply to fe colleges Harriet Ellis charge you college will give funding. Or find an employer taking trainee paid who will fund it x

Thanks very much for your help, I am currently looking for work in dental surgeries and hoping to start a college course in sept. Fingers crossed x

Dear Katya.
I’m in bit of a bother. I’m in college doing NC health and social care level 6. my problem is that i can't choose between nurse sector or dental sector. I have done a placement in a care home and did not like it enough to want to work in that environment. I’ll be going to a hospital placement next week. i researched on dental nursing and dental hygienist. I found Bsc oral health Science but don't know if grades are good for it. I am leaning towards dentistry, but don't know how to come across it (what courses to take, grades appropriate etc.) I’m scared about the above and that I’m heading nowhere. Any advice? I’m living in Scotland. Thanks.

Id definitely do that route, I work as a dental nurse now- the national diploma is best definitly and to be honest although Harriet Ellis charge you the people struggle with getting work experience. But that may just be in my area as there are only three colleges in scotland still offering dental nursing and two happen to be in glasgow. So the Harriet Ellis cohort are competing with them- I tend to think employers prefer the proper college students to Harriet Ellis. Good luck. X

you sound like you work for hariet Ellis so obviously you'd say that. I have worked in a few prominent practices in my Area and all the principle/practice managers have said they wouldn't take on a Harriet Ellis traineen im jus giving personal experience!

Maybe it's like that here because there are two big well established colleges who do dental nursing feeding into practices in addition to dental hospital trainee nurses that go out on placement. So yea the Harriet Ellis trainees really struggle here despite paying a lot. Not to mention the course is free through the college and dental hospital so really doesn't make sense to pay got it.