Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing (RQF)

Description

Course overview

The Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing (RQF) is a fully accredited, GDC-regulated qualification designed to take you from a complete beginner to a registered healthcare professional in just 10 to 12 months. On completion you can apply to join the General Dental Council (GDC) register and work as a qualified dental nurse anywhere in the UK.

How you learn

Using a flexible “earn-while-you-learn” structure, the programme combines interactive 24/7 online study with a mandatory paid clinical placement of at least 16 hours per week. You’ll master essential clinical competencies in a real dental practice while receiving dedicated tutor guidance throughout.

What you will learn

The curriculum spans core units mapped directly to the GDC Safe Practitioner Framework, covering both clinical mastery and professional skills:

Clinical Practice & Procedures — dental anatomy and physiology, oral diseases, patient assessment, and assisting with restorative dentistry, child dental health and minor oral surgery.

Health, Safety & Infection Control — cross-infection control, decontamination, dental radiography safety regulations, and managing clinical medical emergencies.

Professionalism & Communication — patient care management, ethical and legal responsibilities, data protection, and effective communication within a dental setting.

Course units

The diploma is made up of 10 units, covering 340 guided learning hours (GLH) in total:

1. Professional Practice and Responsibilities (70 GLH) — GDC Standards, professional indemnity, duty of candour, raising concerns, complaints handling, and legal, regulatory and safeguarding responsibilities.
2. Leadership, Management and Teamworking (40 GLH) — working effectively within the dental team, delegation, appraisal, Direct Access, and collaborative working.
3. Communication and Record Keeping (25 GLH) — effective communication, overcoming barriers, professional use of social media, and accurate, confidential record keeping.
4. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (10 GLH) — relevant legislation, protected characteristics, cultural competence, and treating every patient with dignity and respect.
5. Oral and Dental Disease (75 GLH) — the causes, development and presentation of oral and dental disease, and the impact of general and systemic health.
6. Preventive Care and Oral Health Promotion (50 GLH) — principles of prevention, diet and nutrition, recognising signs of oral cancer, and referral pathways.
7. Population Health and Health Improvement (20 GLH) — health promotion, evidence-based prevention, and supporting healthier individual and community behaviours.
8. Personal Wellbeing and Resilience (15 GLH) — self-care, managing the emotional demands of clinical work, and maintaining physical and mental wellbeing.
9. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) (20 GLH) — the purpose and requirements of CPD, identifying learning needs, and planning and recording your development.
10. Health, Safety and Risk in the Clinical Environment (15 GLH) — identifying and managing clinical risks, including biological, chemical, radiation, fire and data-related hazards.

How the course works

1. Get started. Once you’ve completed the registration formalities, you’ll receive access to our exclusive learning management platform.
2. Watch your induction. A complete recorded induction walks you through exactly what to do, step by step, and talks you through your full completion journey.
3. Work through 10 units. The course is made up of 10 units in total.
4. Complete each assessment. Every unit has its own specific assessment.
5. Progress unit by unit. You move on to the next unit once you’ve completed the current one.
6. Register for your exam. Once you’ve secured a job, contact us at info@openalliancelearning.com to register for your exam.
7. PoE induction. After you register for the exam, you’ll have an induction with your tutor on how to complete your Portfolio of Evidence (PoE).
8. Work with your assessor. A dedicated assessor is assigned to you and provides feedback on every submission you make.
9. Sign-off and quality assurance. Your assessor signs off your PoE, and our Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) confirms the quality of your submission.
10. Next steps to your exam. You’ll receive the next stages of your exam journey by email.

Placement & career support

To help you secure your trainee placement, we provide full CV and cover letter support tailored to the dental industry. We also offer optional advanced career support for an additional fee — including specialised employability training and our exclusive employer referral scheme. Contact us to learn more.

Course details

Earning potential

• As a Trainee Dental Nurse: £12.71 – £13.50/hr
• As a Qualified Dental Nurse: £15 – £20+/hr

You earn from your paid placement while you train, then your income rises once you become a GDC-registered professional. Figures are typical UK rates and vary by employer and region.

Career progression pathways & job roles

Clinical Advancement — Dental Hygienist · Dental Therapist · Dentist

Specialist Nursing & Education — Specialist Orthodontic Nursing / Tutor · Dental Radiography Nurse / Tutor · Conscious Sedation Nurse / Tutor · Oral Health Education Educator / Tutor

Management & Leadership — Dental Practice / Area Management · Head / Lead Dental Nurse · Dental Nurse Tutor or Assessor

Key course elements

• The Dental Nursing Diploma typically takes around 10–12 months to complete.
• All course and study materials are provided online with full 24/7 access for one year.
• Full tutor support provided as and when needed.
• There are 2 exam windows each year — April and November — target whichever suits your pace.
• You must register for the exam at least 7 months before your chosen exam window.
• On exam registration you complete the mandatory Portfolio of Evidence (POE) assignments, which take a minimum of 7 months.
• Unlimited assignment submissions and personalised assessor feedback provided.
• Full CV & cover letter support provided to help you secure a placement.
• Employability training and employer referral scheme available (additional fee applies).

Entry requirements

• Minimum age: 16 years old.
• No prior experience or qualifications needed.
• Good written and spoken English required (equivalent to GCSE grades D–G minimum).
• Must be prepared to work as a Trainee Dental Nurse for a minimum of 16 hours per week.
• Must be vaccinated against Hepatitis B before starting practical workplace hours.
• Must be able to secure a paid clinical work placement in the UK.

Frequently asked questions

Course & entry

Do I need any prior experience or qualifications to enrol?

No prior experience is necessary. The Level 3 Diploma is designed from scratch for complete beginners. You must be at least 16 years old, have a good command of written and spoken English (equivalent to minimum GCSE grades D to G), and secure a clinical work placement.

How long does the course take to complete?

The diploma typically takes 10 to 12 months to complete. All your core study materials are hosted online, giving you full 24/7 access for a full calendar year so you can learn at your own pace.

How does the online learning work?

Our theoretical training is delivered 100% online. You’ll never be left to struggle alone — we provide dedicated tutor support as and when you need it, alongside unlimited assignment submissions and personalised feedback from our assessors.

Placement & employment

Is a work placement mandatory for this course?

Yes. Because this is an “earn-while-you-learn” qualification, you must work as a Trainee Dental Nurse for a minimum of 16 hours per week in a dental practice while completing your online studies.

Can I apply for a trainee job before starting the course?

In the UK dental industry, employers usually will not hire you as a Trainee Dental Nurse if you haven’t already enrolled in a recognised diploma course — especially if you have no prior experience. Enrolling with us first gives you the student status employers look for.

What support do you provide to help me find a job placement?

We provide comprehensive CV and cover letter support tailored specifically to dental recruitment. We also offer employability training and a dedicated employer referral scheme upon request for an additional fee.

Are there any medical requirements before I start working?

Yes. You must be vaccinated against Hepatitis B (or have proof you have started your vaccination course) before you can begin your practical workplace hours.

Portfolio & exams

How and when are the exams conducted?

The NEBDN holds official exam windows twice a year: every April and November. As soon as you join, you can consult with your tutor to target whichever upcoming exam window best fits your study pace.

What is the Portfolio of Evidence (POE)?

The POE is a mandatory workplace logbook of assignments and practical tasks that track your clinical competence. The NEBDN requires you to register at least 7 months before your chosen exam window, as the POE takes a minimum of 7 months to complete. We provide unlimited submissions and personalised assessor feedback.

Fees & earning potential

How much does the course cost and are there payment plans?

Our course fee is £700. You can pay in full or spread the cost over 8 months at just £88/month with our interest-free instalment plan. Contact our admissions team for details.

What is the earning potential for a dental nurse in the UK?

As a Trainee Dental Nurse you can expect to earn £12.71 to £13.50 per hour while you study. Once fully qualified, your income can rise to a minimum of £15 to £20+ per hour as a GDC-registered professional.