0208 993 4500
dental@schoolofdentalnursing.com
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Certificate in Dental Radiography
Key Information
Duration: 6 months
Date: March, September
Hours: 18 hours (3 hours Monthly)
Awarding Body: National Examining Board for Dental Nurses (NEBDN)
Level: Equivalent to level 4
Fees: £990 (including examination fee)
Deposit: £290.00 deposit included in the course fee, refundable only if you cancel before the course starts.
Who it’s for: Dental nurses registered with the GDC or Irish Dental Council (IDC).
Quick Enquiry
Certificate in Dental Radiography
Is This the Right Next Step for You?
Dental radiography is one of the most clinically significant skills a dental nurse can develop. Radiographs are taken in virtually every dental practice, every day — and having a trained, competent dental nurse who can take them confidently makes a genuine difference to how a practice runs and what it can offer patients.
The NEBDN Certificate in Dental Radiography is a post-registration qualification, equivalent to Level 4, for registered dental nurses. It trains you to take intra-oral and extra-oral radiographs safely and competently, as an operator under IR(ME)R, on the prescription of an appropriate practitioner. It’s a practical way to extend your role and benefits you, your practice and your patients: you gain a valued clinical skill, your team works more efficiently, and patients get high-quality images taken safely.
Entry Requirements
To enrol, you’ll need to meet the following criteria:
- Hold current registration with the General Dental Council (GDC) or the Irish Dental Council (IDC)
- Have a supportive employer who can supervise the completion of your Electronic Record of Competence (eRoC)
- Hold a valid First Aid or Basic Life Support (BLS) Certificate of Completion
- Be competent in written and spoken English to a level that allows effective communication with patients, families and healthcare professionals
If you’re unsure whether you meet any of these requirements, the team is happy to talk it through before you apply.
What You Will Learn
The course builds the clinical knowledge and practical understanding needed to take radiographs safely, accurately and in full compliance with current legislation and regulatory requirements. That means radiation physics and protection, relevant legislation including IR(ME)R, radiographic techniques, image quality assessment, radiographic anatomy and patient safety — as well as the professional responsibilities that come with operating as an IR(ME)R operator.
By the time you qualify, you won’t just be technically capable of taking radiographs. You’ll understand the clinical and legal framework within which you’re working, and be able to apply that judgement confidently in practice.
How You Will Be Assessed
To be awarded the Certificate in Dental Radiography, you must successfully complete two things:
Record of Competence (eRoC) A comprehensive, work-based Electronic Record of Competence made up of three sections:
- Practical Competence Assessment Sheets (PCAS)
- Case studies
- Supplementary outcomes
The eRoC is completed in your own clinical environment, with supervision from your employer, and documents your developing competence across the range of radiographic duties you’ll be undertaking. Your personal tutor will support you throughout.
Written Examination A 90-minute written examination in two parts:
- Part A — 45 multiple-choice questions (MCQ)
- Part B — 30 extended matching questions (EMQ)
Examinations are held twice a year, in March and September. Revision materials, past resources and tutor support are all available through eTrain to help you prepare thoroughly well in advance of your chosen sitting.
Ready to Apply?
Got questions before you apply? Call 0208 993 4500 or email dental@schoolofdentalnursing.com — the team knows the course inside out and is happy to talk things through before you commit to anything.
Maintaining Good Clinical Practice
Radiation Physics
Radiation Protection
Apparatus and Equipment
Films and Processing
Digital Imaging
Principles of Imaging
Film Handling
Digital Imaging – Practical Instruction
Intra Oral Techniques
Extra Oral Techniques
Quality Assurance
Care of Patients
Principles and Practice of Interpretations
Fundamentals of Radiological Anatomy
Identification of Common Dental Pathology.
Learner Eligibility:
- To be a registered dental nurse with the General Dental Council (GDC) or Irish Dental Council (IDC)
- To have a supportive employer to supervise the completion of the Electronic Record of Competence (eRoC)
- To have a valid First Aid / Basic Life Support (BLS) Certificate of Completion
- Be competent in written and spoken English in order to communicate effectively with patients, their families and dental and healthcare professionals
Frequently Asked Questions About Certificate in Dental Radiography
The Certificate in Dental Radiography is an NEBDN post-registration qualification for registered dental nurses. It develops the knowledge and practical skills needed to take dental radiographs safely and competently, helping you contribute more to patient care and support the diagnostic process.
Dental radiographs help identify problems that may not be visible during a routine examination, including decay between teeth, bone loss, root problems, cysts and impacted teeth. Having a suitably trained dental nurse take radiographs can also help the practice manage appointments more efficiently.
You must hold current registration with the General Dental Council (GDC) or the Dental Council of Ireland. You also need:
- A supportive employer and suitable workplace supervision to complete your Record of Competence.
- A valid First Aid or Basic Life Support certificate.
- Good written and spoken English.
Yes. Awarded by NEBDN, it is a well-established post-registration qualification recognised in NHS and private dental practice.
Yes. Dental nurses can take dental radiographs once they have completed appropriate training and demonstrated competence. They must work within their professional scope, follow the relevant legal requirements, including IR(ME)R, and comply with their employer’s procedures.
The course covers:
- Radiation physics and radiation protection.
- Relevant legislation and regulations.
- Dental radiographic techniques.
- Image quality assessment.
- Radiographic anatomy.
- Patient safety and quality assurance.
- Professional responsibilities.
Radiation protection and patient safety are central to every part of the course.
The course is delivered online through live monthly classes on Zoom, supported by study materials on our eTrain learning platform. You develop your practical skills and complete your workplace assessments in your dental practice.
Assessment consists of two parts:
- Electronic Record of Competence (eRoC): Practical competence sheets, case studies and supplementary outcomes completed in your workplace under supervision.
- NEBDN written examination: A 90-minute examination comprising 45 multiple-choice questions and 30 extended matching questions. Examinations are held in March and September.
Teaching takes place over six months, with 18 hours of tutor-led learning delivered through one three-hour class each month. Your overall completion time also depends on how quickly you complete your Record of Competence in practice.
Yes. You need access to a dental practice where you can take radiographs under appropriate supervision and complete your Record of Competence. Your workplace supervisor must be able to support your learning and confirm your competence. We explain the requirements when you enrol.
Once you have successfully completed your Record of Competence and passed the written examination, NEBDN awards you the Certificate in Dental Radiography.
You can take prescribed dental radiographs as part of your role in NHS or private practice, subject to your employer’s authorisation and the relevant professional and legal requirements. The qualification helps you broaden your clinical skills and take on additional responsibilities within the dental team.
Dental Radiography focuses on producing images that help clinicians diagnose and monitor dental conditions. Oral Health Education focuses on helping patients improve their oral health through advice and education, while Fluoride Varnish Application involves providing a preventive clinical treatment.
These qualifications develop different skills and can complement one another.
Yes. You can broaden your skills through our Certificates in Oral Health Education or Fluoride Varnish Application, subject to the entry requirements for each course. Other NEBDN post-registration qualifications include Orthodontic Dental Nursing, Dental Sedation Nursing and Special Care Dental Nursing.
You receive support from a personal tutor, live monthly classes, structured eTrain resources, guidance on your workplace assessments and examination revision support. Our administration team is also available to help with course-related queries..
The course costs £990, including the NEBDN examination fee, with a £290 deposit. Please confirm the current fee before applying, as fees are reviewed periodically.
We have trained dental nurses since 2006. Our tutors understand the demands of clinical practice, and our courses combine structured teaching, practical learning and ongoing support to help you study alongside your working commitments.
