Rozina Aziz The dental field always needs qualified individuals to fill dental assistants and nurses’ roles. Find out what it takes to be a dental nurse and what knowledge and abilities are necessary for the field. Find out what you need to know to launch a successful career as a dental nurse.
What is a dental nurse?
To succeed in the field of dental nursing, one must possess both dental and medical expertise. Caring for patients in a dental office takes a unique mix of abilities and expertise. Dental nurses play an important role in the dental team and have several responsibilities that contribute to the efficient operation of the dental office.
Dental nurses play a crucial role in providing high-quality patient care, from taking X-rays and preparing patients for dental operations to providing a reassuring presence during consultations.
What does a dental nurse do?
A dental nurse‘s primary responsibility is to provide patients with care and support from their dentist, therapist, and hygienist—the tasks involved in this position range from assisting with normal examinations to assisting with complex specialist treatments.
Having the patient feel at ease throughout appointments is crucial. In addition to assisting the dentist with patient care and treatment, a dental assistant’s duties include sterilizing instruments, maintaining stock levels, cleaning the office, and removing saliva from the mouth during procedures.
After finishing the fundamentals of dental nursing, some go on to specialize in a particular area, such as radiography (CBCT scans and x-rays), sedation (oral), education (oral hygiene), impressions (dental molds), or fluoride (topical).
Dental nurses who have completed their education and licensing requirements have many open opportunities. Many dental nurses go on to work as practice managers, advance to management positions within practices or hospitals, or become trainers themselves after receiving additional education and experience.
What are the Roles and Responsibilities of a Dental Nurse?
There will be many similarities between the various Dental Nurse Jobs, regardless of where you end up working. However, some organizations emphasize a certain set of Dental Nurse duties more than others. You will only be able to do some procedures with additional education.
The following duties will make up the bulk of a Dental Nurse’s typical day on the job:
- Making temporary and permanent restorations.
- Offering comfort and reassurance to the patient.
- Removing bacteria from medical equipment.
- Scanning, cataloging, and filing x-rays.
- Making sure the dental office is clean and tidy.
- Maintaining patient records by recording and filing relevant patients.
- Educating patients on the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene.
- Keeping tabs on inventory.
However, outside of these general responsibilities, your Dental Nurse Job description may shift slightly based on the organization where you work.
What are the qualifications and abilities of a dental nurse?
In general, a Dental Nurse applicant must possess the following abilities and credentials to be considered a strong contender:
- Powerful capacity for interaction and expression with others.
- Possessing strong abilities to inspire others and listen to them.
- Compassion and a desire to aid others.
- Maintaining a steady hand and clear vision is a requirement for dental work of the highest precision.
- Competence in using a range of dental instruments.
- Proficient individual and group productivity.
- Showing care and concern for patients in all interactions.
- Sustained focus over extended periods.
What are Dental Nurse Experience requirements?
A Dental Nurse must have at least one year of experience working as a Dental Nurse, Dental Assistant, or in another nursing capacity. Possessing prior work experience in a dental office is highly desired.
Dental nurses at the mid-level need three to five years of experience, whereas senior dental nurses need more than five years of practice. Experience in managing a group of Dental Nurses may be a requirement for more senior positions.
What higher-level positions do dental nurses typically reach?
Dental nursing is a promising field that, with time and education, can lead to many different opportunities.
Certified dental hygienist:
Hygienists in the dental field specialize in preventing and treating gum disease, as well as other dental issues.
Dentist:
Dentists are in charge of patient’s oral health and undertake procedures like fillings and extractions to keep their teeth and gums in good shape.
Medical Office Manager:
A dental practice manager is responsible for the practice’s business and administrative aspects and ensuring that all patients receive excellent care.
Who employs dental nurses?
Dental nurses must assist dentists in any practice giving dental care. Of the many businesses that provide dental care, public dental clinics are the most prevalent place nurses find work.
- Free dental care for all on the National Health Service.
- Private general dental clinic.
- Specialized dental care.
- Hospitals.
- Dental clinic on mobile.
- Domiciliary Dental services.
- Prison.
How much does a Dental Nurse make?
As of Jan 22nd, 2023, a Dental Nurse in the United States may expect to make an average salary of $104,455 yearly. Suppose you need a quick pay estimator of about $50.22 per hour. This works out to $2,008 each week or $8,704 per month.
FAQ’s
Is a dental nursing course difficult?
Dental nursing is an easy specialty to master from a technical standpoint. And I mean that literally! Compared to being an accountant or an IT engineer, it’s a rather simple job. The challenging thing is that you are on your feet every day, as the operation may get pretty busy.
Is a dental nurse a dentist?
Unlike dentists, dental nurses do not need an additional nurse to give basic care to patients needing dental attention. A dental nurse’s primary responsibility is to keep the dental office spotless.
What level is a dental nurse?
Dental nursing students can earn a Level 3 diploma, and health students can earn a T-Level. Training programs for dentists typically combine classroom instruction with practical application in a dental office.
Who earns more BDS or nurse?
BDS is superior to other options regarding potential employment and financial reward. A BDS graduate might expect a higher starting pay than a dentist.
