Healthcare Sciences Dental

Dental careers within the NHS offer a rewarding blend of hands‑on clinical care, patient interaction, and highly specialised skills. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to progress into advanced dental roles, the Lincolnshire NHS Dental Apprenticeship pathway provides clear, structured routes into this fast‑growing profession. From chairside support to orthodontics, dental technology and clinical hygiene, there’s an apprenticeship level suited to every ambition.

Available Levels:

  • Level 3 – Dental Nurse
  • Level 4 – Orthodontic Therapist
  • Level 4 – Dental Practice Manager
  • Level 5 – Dental Technician / Clinical Dental Technician
  • Level 6 – Dental Hygienist

Who Are They Suitable For?

  • School leavers (16+) seeking hands-on healthcare experience
  • Existing NHS staff looking to upskill
  • Career changers passionate about patient care
  • Anyone with strong communication skills and a commitment to learning
  • Entry Requirements
Level 3 - Dental Nurse
Qualifications Required
  • Must be 16+ and employed in a dental clinical setting (NHS, private, community, hospital, military) to complete required workplace competencies
  • Level 2 English and Maths required or you must work toward them during the apprenticeship (supported by the provider).
Core Units

1. Ethics, professionalism and GDC requirements

2. Dental and oral anatomy and physiology

3. Health promotion and preventing oral disease

4. Infection prevention and control

5. Clinical skills and chairside support

6. Radiography competence (supporting role)

7. Medical emergencies

8. Communication and teamworking

Level 4 - Orthodontic Therapist
Qualifications Required
  • Must already be a registered dental professional with the General Dental Council (GDC):
    • Dental Nurse,
    • Dental Hygienist,
    • Dental Therapist, or
    • Dental Technician
  • Must be employed in an orthodontic or dental clinical environment where duties required by the standard can be supervised and assessed.

 

 

 

 

Core Units

1. Understanding Professional Scope and GDC Standards

2. Evidence-Based Clinical Practice

3. Patient-Centred Care, Safeguarding, Duty of Care

4. Radiation Safety and Statutory Regulations

5. Orthodontic Treatment Knowledge

6. Patient Assessment and Clinical Records

7. Anatomy and Physiology for Orthodontics

8. Malocclusion Principles

9. Infection Prevention and Control

10. Communication and Behaviour Management

11. Information Governance and Data Protection

12. Team Communication and Multi‑Disciplinary Working

Level 4 - Dental Practice Manager
Qualifications Required
  • Must be employed within a dental practice in a role that enables management responsibilities to be demonstrated and assessed.
  • English and Maths Level 2
Core Units

1. Human Resources Management

2. Patient Care and Customer Service

3. Clinical Knowledge for Managers

4. Marketing and Community Engagement

5. Risk Management and Legal Compliance

6. Quality Assurance and Regulation

7. Leadership and Management Skills

8. Business and Financial Management

Level 5 - Dental Technician / Clinical Dental Technician
Qualifications Required

Dental Technician

  • Employers set entry requirements.
  • Typically A‑levels or Level 3 relevant qualifications (e.g., dental lab assistant).
  • Must achieve English and Maths GCSE Grade C/4 before completion if not already held.

Clinical Dental Technician

  • Must be a GDC‑registered Dental Technician before starting the apprenticeship.
  • Must complete a GDC‑approved Level 5 qualification.
Core Units

Dental Technician Core Units

  1. Routine Clinical and Technical Dental Technology Procedures
  2. Treatment Planning and Onward Referral Procedures
  3. Communication, Confidentiality and Record‑Keeping
  4. Professional Leadership and Team Partnership
  5. Design, Manufacture, Modification and Repair of Dental Appliances
  6. Orthodontic, Crown and Bridge, and Denture Fabrication Competencies
  7. Regulatory Compliance and GDC Professional Standards
  8. Health and Safety, Infection Control and Laboratory Safety

Clinical Dental Technician Core Units

  1. Patient Assessment and Clinical Examination
  2. Treatment Planning and Case Management
  3. Provision of Complete Dentures
  4. Provision of Partial Dentures (on Dentist Prescription)
  5. Impression‑Taking for Edentulous, Dentate or Implant Patients
  6. Design, Manufacture and Repair of Dental Devices
  7. Modification and Fitting of Appliances
  8. Radiograph Taking and Image Processing
  9. Oral Health Advice and Patient Education
  10. Infection Prevention and Control
  11. Clinical Record‑Keeping and Information Governance
  12. Working within GDC Scope of Practice and Referral Protocols
Level 6 - Dental Hygienist
Qualifications Required
  • Must be 16+ and employed in a dental clinical setting (NHS, private, community, hospital, military) to complete required workplace competencies
  • Level 2 English and Maths required or you must work toward them during the apprenticeship (supported by the provider).
Core Units
  • Dental hygienist scope of practice
  • Oral and general health promotion principles
  • Periodontal disease prevention and treatment
  • Clinical environment, equipment and dental instrumentation
  • Patient assessment and medical history principles
  • Safeguarding and duty of care
  • Evidence‑based practice and clinical reasoning
  • Health and safety regulations including radiation principles
  • Infection prevention and control
  • Communication and patient‑centred care
  • Legal, ethical and professional responsibilities
  • Record‑keeping and information governance

 

Allied Health Professionals Health & Social Care Assistant NEW: Healthcare Support Worker NEW: Senior Healthcare Support Worker NEW: Nursing Associate NEW: Registered Nurse Wider Healthcare Support
Apply

Recommend a friend

Good things are worth sharing. Tell a colleague or friend about us

Recommend a friend
Apprenticeships Logo