Completing a fluoride varnish qualification is a great starting point. It is often the first time a dental nurse steps outside their core registration and takes on an extended duty independently. And once you have done it, it is hard not to start thinking about what comes next.
The good news is there is plenty to aim for.
Dental Nurse Training has been delivering regulated dental nursing qualifications since 1995. Alongside the Certificate in Fluoride Varnish Application, there is a full range of post-registration qualifications available for dental nurses who want to keep developing.
Before taking on any extended duty, make sure you have the right training, competence and indemnity in place. Read our post on GDC scope of practice for dental nurses for a full explanation of what is required.
If you have landed here and you are not yet a registered dental nurse, the first step is the NEBDN Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing. This is the qualification that leads to GDC registration, and without GDC registration you cannot apply fluoride varnish or any other extended duty independently.
The NEBDN diploma is regulated by Ofqual and CCEA and also carries 32 UCAS points, which can open doors to further education if you want to go that route later on.
Find out more about the NEBDN Diploma at Dental Nurse Training.
Radiography is one of the most popular post-registration qualifications for dental nurses, and it is easy to see why. Being able to take radiographs under prescription adds real value to any dental team and opens up a wider range of clinical responsibilities.
There are two routes available:
NEBDN Certificate in Dental Radiography – on qualification you will be able to act as an IR(ME)R operator under prescription, taking intra-oral and extra-oral radiographs safely and independently.
BDA Certificate in Dental Radiography – a nationally recognised qualification approved by the GDC, the British Society of Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology, and the Society and College of Radiographers.
Find out more about radiography qualifications at Dental Nurse Training.
Oral health education is another great route for dental nurses who enjoy the patient-facing, preventive side of dentistry. It builds directly on the kind of work you are already doing when you apply fluoride varnish and give aftercare advice, but takes it much further.
Again there are two routes:
NEBDN Certificate in Oral Health Education – a valuable post-registration qualification for dental nurses hoping to further their careers in preventive care and patient education.
BDA Certificate in Oral Health Education – a nationally recognised qualification designed to equip dental nurses with the knowledge and skills to deliver high-quality oral health advice and support, approved by the GDC and created in collaboration with OHE Southwest.
Find out more about oral health education qualifications at Dental Nurse Training.
There is no single right answer. It depends on what you enjoy clinically, what your practice needs, and where you want to take your career.
Radiography tends to suit dental nurses who enjoy the technical side of dentistry and want to take on a more clinical role within the surgery. Oral health education suits those who enjoy spending more time with patients, working on behaviour change and prevention, or who are interested in community or public health settings.
Both are well regarded by employers and both count towards your GDC CPD requirements. For a full guide to CPD, read our post on CPD requirements for dental nurses.
If you are not sure which direction to go, the team at Dental Nurse Training are happy to talk it through with you.
Visit Dental Nurse Training to explore all available qualifications.
Dental Nurse Training offers a full range of GDC-recognised courses and qualifications, from the Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing through to post-registration qualifications in fluoride varnish application, radiography, oral health education and beyond.
Check out our course options