City & Guilds Technical Certificate in Working in Dental Settings

This one-year course is for you if you are interested in a career in the Dental Health Industry in a customer facing role, or if you are thinking of becoming a dental nurse and are not yet ready to move on to the Level 3 diploma. You will gain a range of essential technical and practical skills and knowledge which will equip you to seek employment or further training within the Dental Health industry. The knowledge and skills gained will ensure that you are able to operate in a dental setting. You will cover communication skills, dental practice reception skills, infection prevention and control, health and safety, and decontamination skills and duties.

There are ten mandatory topics: Principles of Health and Safety in Dental Settings; Principles of Infection Prevention and Control in Dental Settings; Communication for Effective Working Practice in Dental Settings; Reception and Administration in Dental Settings; Principles of Safeguarding in Dental Settings; Standards and Principles in Dental Settings; Dental Anatomy and Charting; General and Oral Health; Introduction to Dental Treatment; Principles of First Aid in Medical Emergencies. You will also have to complete 30-60 hours' work experience in a dental setting, alongside the qualification. You will get lots of practice and support to enable you to develop the required skills and knowledge to prepare you for the learning and assessment of this qualification. Employers will contribute to your knowledge and delivery of the training.

You will complete a synoptic assignment. You will be marked against assessment objectives such as your breadth and accuracy of knowledge, as well as your ability to use what you have learnt to achieve high quality outcomes. A theory examination will confirm your breadth of knowledge and understanding using a range of shorter questions. By achieving this qualification, you will demonstrate to an employer that you have the necessary technical skills and knowledge they will be looking for when recruiting for: Dental receptionist; Dental support worker; Dental decontamination assistant. You could also progress to a Level 3 Dental Nursing Apprenticeship through Sandwell College. Successful completion of the Apprenticeship can lead to Level 4 programmes in Radiography, Oral Health and Sedation.