What is a Dental Nurse?

The dental nurse plays an important role in the organisation and management of the dental practice, assisting the dentist in all aspects of patient treatment. The main duties of a dental nurse include infection prevention and control, chair-side assistance, preparation and maintenance of the dental clinic and equipment, and patient care.

 

This programme empowers you with the skills and practical competence required to work in a dental environment. You will learn about the day-to-day role of the dental nurse and acquire the qualification for entry to the Dental Council Voluntary Register of Dental Nurses.

 

Dental Nursing: The course for you?

If you have an interest in working as part of a dental team in the delivery of oral healthcare and have a caring and understanding disposition, this may be the course for you. Skills required of students considering dental nursing include communication and organisation skills, the ability to use initiative, and the ability and willingness to work closely with the dental team in providing support and assistance during the provision of dental treatment. The dental nurse may also be involved with the administration of the dental clinic.

 

Through the course, you will be able to develop good patient skills and learn to communicate effectively in a healthcare environment.

 

Dental Nursing at Trinity 

This two-year programme is based in the Dublin Dental University Hospital on Trinity’s campus. Clinical facilities are of a very high standard and class sizes are small, so that students receive considerable staff input into their progress throughout the programme. The programme is very practical throughout, allowing students to progressively develop clinical skills. Graduates of the Trinity School of Dental Science and Dublin Dental University Hospital (DDUH) are highly sought after, due to the extensive clinical exposure obtained during this programme.

 

Graduate skills and career opportunities??????

As a graduate of Dental Nursing, you can work in a variety of working environments, including dental hospitals and Health Service Executive dental clinics, as well as in general and specialist dental practices. Depending on the work setting, advancement in the field may include senior dental nurse, clinic nurse manager, practice manager, marketing representatives for relevant companies, dental nurse tutor, course co-ordinator, and the area of health promotion.