Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Dental nurses work on the front line of patient care, so they need to be organised and methodical, confident with patients, good team players, able to use their initiative and caring towards people who may be anxious or in pain.

To work as a qualified dental nurse in the UK, you need a qualification recognised by the General Dental Council (GDC), such as the NEBDN Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing, and you must then register with the GDC. While you are training, you can work as a trainee dental nurse under supervision.

Dental nursing can be a rewarding career for people who enjoy working with patients and as part of a clinical team. Dental nurses work in NHS and private dental practices, hospitals and community dental services, and there are regular vacancies for trainee and qualified dental nurses across the UK.

Whether it is the right career for you depends on your interests and circumstances. The role involves clinical procedures, strict infection control and close patient contact, so it suits people who are organised, calm under pressure and comfortable in a healthcare setting.

Yes. Dental nursing can be a good choice for people in their thirties, forties or older who are looking for a change of career, provided they have the aptitude and personal qualities the role requires. Many of our learners are career changers.

Once qualified and registered with the GDC, you can build your skills through post-registration qualifications such as:

• Dental Radiography
• Oral Health Education
• Dental Sedation Nursing
• Dental Implant Nursing
• Orthodontic Nursing
• Fluoride Varnish Application

Experienced dental nurses can also move into roles such as senior dental nurse, practice manager, or dental nurse tutor and assessor. Some go on to further study to become dental hygienists or dental therapists, which requires a separate degree-level qualification. You can also join a professional body such as the British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN).

The School of Dental Nursing has provided tuition for the NEBDN Diploma in Dental Nursing since 2006. You can study the way that suits you:

• Online distance learning through our eTrain Virtual Learning Environment, with video lessons, learning resources and structured homework
• Face-to-face classes at our training centre in Acton, West London, with two classroom days per month

Whichever format you choose, you will have a dedicated personal tutor, homework feedback, revision support, exam preparation and guidance on building your Portfolio of Evidence. Interest-free monthly instalments are available, and we support you in finding employment in a dental practice.

The NEBDN Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing is awarded by the National Examination Board for Dental Nurses (NEBDN). It is a qualification recognised by the General Dental Council (GDC) for registration as a dental nurse. The School of Dental Nursing is an NEBDN provider: we deliver the teaching and support, and NEBDN sets and marks the examinations.

No. The Diploma is a provider-led course, not an apprenticeship, although it combines academic learning with practical experience in a similar way. You work as a paid trainee dental nurse in a dental practice while you study, and you pay a course fee to the School. Dental nurse apprenticeships are a separate route arranged through an employer.

The Foundation in Dental Nursing course is for people who are unsure whether dental nursing is right for them or are not yet working in a dental practice. It introduces the role, responsibilities and expectations of a dental nurse, alongside the theory and terminology used in practice. During the course, we also offer employment and career advice.

Duration: 3–6 months | Delivery: Flexible online learning.

You can choose either:

• Online learning through our eTrain Virtual Learning Environment, which you can study from anywhere in the UK, or
• Face-to-face classes at our training centre in Acton, West London, with two classroom days per month.

In both formats you receive the same syllabus, a dedicated tutor and comprehensive learning resources, and you sit the same NEBDN examinations online.

Online learning may suit you if you are busy, want to save on travel time and costs, or live far from our West London centre. Face-to-face learning may suit you if you can easily reach Acton, prefer a fixed timetable, are less confident studying online, or would benefit from meeting your tutor and other learners in a classroom. Both lead to the same qualification.

No. All theory is delivered online through eTrain, and you work through each module at home. We recommend about 3 to 4 hours of study a week, alongside the recommended reading. You will still need to work in a dental practice to complete your Portfolio of Evidence.

You can enrol on the online course at any time of year. Face-to-face courses have several start dates each year at our Acton centre.

Most learners complete the Diploma in around 12 months of part-time study, although it can take up to 24 months depending on your progress and exam dates. The main factors are:

• your Portfolio of Evidence, which must be built over a minimum of six months in a dental practice
• the NEBDN exam dates: the Knowledge Test is held in April and November, and the Professional Discussion in January and June
• how consistently you study and gather evidence at work.

It is possible if you are already working as a trainee dental nurse, study online and commit your spare time fully to the syllabus and your Portfolio of Evidence. The earliest realistic completion is around nine months, depending on how the NEBDN exam dates fall. Please choose your exam dates carefully, as moving them later can incur extra NEBDN fees.

The course includes around 144 hours of teaching. This does not include your time in the dental practice or independent study.

The course has three parts:

• teaching provided by the School, online or face to face
• work experience in a dental practice
• your Portfolio of Evidence (PoE), which records your clinical competence.

Yes. Face-to-face learners must maintain at least 80% attendance. Online learners must engage regularly and complete modules and homework by the set deadlines.

Yes. When you enrol, you receive your tutor’s contact details and can email them with questions outside class hours. Online learners have direct access to their designated tutor throughout the course.

We do not recommend it. You need to work as a trainee dental nurse and spend considerable time in a dental practice as well as studying the theory, which is difficult to combine with full-time study.

There are no formal academic entry requirements. To join the Diploma, you must:

• be aged 16 or over for online study, or 18 or over for face-to-face study
• live in the UK
• be employed or placed as a trainee dental nurse in a UK dental practice before your course starts
• have a good standard of written and spoken English, so that you can communicate effectively with patients, their families, the dental team and other healthcare professionals
• have a supervising dentist, mentor or witness at your practice who is registered with the General Dental Council (GDC) and can sign off your Portfolio of Evidence.

If you are not yet working in a dental practice, you can start with our Foundation in Dental Nursing course, and we will help you look for a trainee position.

No formal English or Maths certificates are required. You must be able to read, write, speak and understand English to a good standard. If English is not your first language, you should demonstrate proficiency equivalent to CEFR Level B2 or complete our English assessment to confirm that you meet the required standard.

No. The Diploma is a part-time course that requires you to live in the UK and work in a UK dental practice as a trainee dental nurse, so we cannot accept international students who are not resident in the UK.

Yes, you can. However, your supervising dentist, mentor or witness must be registered with the UK General Dental Council (GDC).

Yes. You must be employed or have a placement as a trainee dental nurse before starting your Diploma, as the practical experience you gain is essential to completing your Portfolio of Evidence. We offer employment and career advice. If you withdraw before your course starts because you have not secured a position, your initial course fee will be refunded in full.

Most dental practices will ask trainee dental nurses to have a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and to be vaccinated against Hepatitis B before starting clinical work. Your employer will tell you what they require.

For online study and the NEBDN examinations, you will need a computer or laptop with a reliable internet connection. You will receive the technical requirements for the online examinations before your exam date.

Please tell us about any additional needs when you apply, so that we can support you during the course. Reasonable adjustments to the NEBDN examinations are possible under NEBDN’s Fair Access and Reasonable Adjustments Policy, but they must be approved by NEBDN before your assessment, so let us know as early as possible.

Work experience is the practical experience you gain as a trainee dental nurse, usually in a dental practice. It is an essential part of the qualification and provides most of the evidence for your Portfolio of Evidence.

The Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) is a digital record of your competence as a trainee dental nurse, completed on NEBDN’s PebblePad platform while you work in a dental practice. Over a minimum of six months, you collect evidence such as witness testimonies, assessor observations, examples of your work and personal statements to show that you can carry out the required range of dental nursing duties safely and competently.

Your tutor guides you as you compile it, and the School assesses it. To have your PoE approved, you must complete all the required tasks, reply promptly to your tutor and the School, and keep up satisfactory progress. Your PoE must be completed by the School’s set deadline before you can be entered for the NEBDN examinations.

We recommend at least 14 hours a week, so either a full-time or part-time position can be suitable. This gives you enough opportunities to gather the evidence for your PoE.

At least six months, because your PoE must be built over a minimum of six months. You can be entered for the examinations once your PoE is completed by the School’s deadline.

Yes. We offer employment and career advice to learners who are new to the dental profession or considering a trainee dental nurse role. Our advice can include:

• help with your CV and cover letter
• mock interview workshops and one-to-one guidance
• researching dental practices near you
• telling you about vacancies at practices in our network, and forwarding your CV to prospective employers where appropriate.

Employment is not guaranteed, and it remains your responsibility to secure a position before your course starts.

It varies from person to person. Many learners find a suitable position within two to three months of starting their search. Starting early, for example during our Foundation course, gives you the best chance.

Tell your tutor as soon as possible. You will need a new position in a dental practice to continue your PoE, and your new supervising dentist, mentor or witness must also be GDC-registered. If you cannot complete your PoE by the deadline, your examinations will move to a later sitting, and NEBDN fees may apply.

No. Trainee dental nurses are not yet registered with the GDC, so they do not need their own indemnity insurance. Your employer or supervising registrant must have indemnity cover, as they are responsible for your work. Once you are qualified and registered, you must have indemnity cover, either through your own policy or your employer’s. Your employer can advise you on this.

You will need to complete face-to-face Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) or Basic Life Support (BLS) training. Dental practices usually provide this, and we also offer BLS certification, at a discount for our registered learners.

To achieve the NEBDN Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing, you must pass three assessments, in this order:

1. Portfolio of Evidence (PoE): built in your dental practice over at least six months and assessed by the School. It must be completed by the School’s deadline before you are entered for the NEBDN examinations.
2. NEBDN Knowledge Test: an online exam of 65 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), taken in 90 minutes, covering the theory of dental nursing.
3. NEBDN Professional Discussion (PD): a 60-minute online assessment, with 10 minutes’ reading time, in which you discuss the knowledge and practical work you have completed in your dental practice, based on the nine duties of the dental nurse.

Your tutor supports you through each stage, including revision and mock assessment sessions.

Yes. You must complete your PoE by the School’s set deadline before we can enter you for either NEBDN examination. If your PoE is not completed on time, your examinations will move to a later sitting, and your tutor will help you plan towards the next deadline.

No. You must pass the Knowledge Test before you can sit the Professional Discussion.

NEBDN holds each examination twice a year:

• Knowledge Test: April and November
• Professional Discussion: January and June

When you sit them depends on when you start the course, when you begin work in a dental practice and when you complete your PoE. Most learners sit their first examination within 12 months of starting. The School will confirm your examination dates well in advance, taking your progress into account. Exact dates are published on the NEBDN website.

Both the Knowledge Test and the Professional Discussion take place online. You need basic computer skills and must follow NEBDN’s examination rules. You may not have any other apps or websites open on your device during an examination, including translation tools.

Once your NEBDN fee has been paid and we have registered you with NEBDN, NEBDN usually sends your PebblePad login details to you directly within 28 days. Please check your junk or spam folder.

You can resit at a later sitting. NEBDN allows up to three resits of each examination, and charges a resit fee for each attempt. Your tutor will support you in preparing for your resit.

Your PoE is valid for three years for the date of your initial registration with the examination board NEBDN. If you do not pass both examinations within that time, you may need to complete a new PoE or follow NEBDN’s resit and reassessment rules, which can involve additional fees.

Yes, but NEBDN charges a deferral fee, with a higher fee applying if you defer within four weeks of the examination. Please speak to us as early as possible if you think you may need to defer.

For the latest fees, please see our Schedule of Fees and Charges.

NEBDN sends certificates to the School, and we pass them on to successful learners, usually about one month after results are published. You do not need the physical certificate to apply to join the GDC register, because NEBDN informs the GDC of eligible learners.

Once you have passed all three assessments, you apply to the GDC directly. Before you start, read the GDC’s guidance and application checklist carefully to make sure you meet all the requirements:

• How to join the register: https://www.gdc-uk.org/registration/join-the-register/how-to-join-the-register
• Online application form: https://www.egdc-uk.org/Application/PersonalDetails?type=UkDcp

You cannot work as a qualified dental nurse until your GDC registration is confirmed.

The currently no set deadline, but we recommend applying as soon as you qualify, because you cannot work as a qualified dental nurse until you are registered. Please check the GDC’s current guidance before applying.

NEBDN Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing

Post-registration courses (Dental Radiography and Oral Health Education)

Instalment plans are interest-free. You can also pay in full at the start of the course. Payments must be made on time each month to keep access to the course and to remain eligible for NEBDN examination registration.

Your initial course fee secures your place and gives you access to our employment support. It is refunded in full if you withdraw before your course starts. Once your course has started, fees are non-refundable and any remaining instalments remain payable. Please see our Refund and Tuition Fees Policy.

This fee is charged by NEBDN. It covers your registration with NEBDN, access to your PebblePad portfolio, and your first attempt at both the Knowledge Test and the Professional Discussion. Resits, deferrals and late entries are charged separately by NEBDN to be paid to the school as per our fees & charges schedule.

The Diploma is not government-funded, but we keep our fees competitive and offer interest-free instalments. As a trainee dental nurse you will be paid by your practice while you train, which can help you cover the fees, and some practices sponsor their trainees’ course fees.

Yes, you may incur additional costs for:

• Recommended textbook: Details are available in the course resources on eTrain.
• Resits, deferrals or late entries: Please check our Fees and Charges page for the latest fees.

NEBDN sets its own fees, which may change. Please refer to our Refund and Tuition Fees Policy for full details.

Yes. If you withdraw before your course starts, your initial course fee is refunded in full, even if you have already received employment advice from us. Once your course has started, fees already paid are non-refundable, and any remaining instalments remain payable. To cancel, contact us in writing at dental@schoolofdentalnursing.com . See our Refund and Tuition Fees Policy for full details, including your rights if your course starts within 14 days of payment.

Yes, you can request to pause or defer your course for a valid reason. Changing your examination date may incur NEBDN deferral fees.

If you transfer to a different NEBDN provider, NEBDN charges a transfer fee, which is usually paid by the new provider.

Post-registration qualifications are courses for qualified dental nurses who are already registered with the General Dental Council (GDC). They let you develop specialist skills, take on extra duties in your practice and progress in your career. Our post-registration courses lead to certificates awarded by the National Examining Board for Dental Nurses (NEBDN).

To join any of our post-registration courses, you must:

• be a qualified dental nurse with current registration with the General Dental Council (GDC)
• be working in a dental setting where you can practise the new skill with patients
• have a supportive employer and a workplace supervisor who can oversee your practical work and confirm your competence
• have a good standard of written and spoken English.

Some courses have extra requirements:

• Dental Radiography and Oral Health Education: a valid First Aid or Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate.
• Fluoride Varnish Application: at least six months’ experience since you registered, up-to-date CPD and a Personal Development Plan, and enough patients to complete your Record of Competence.

No. These courses are only for dental nurses who have qualified and are registered. If you are still training, see our NEBDN Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing.

Yes. Each course includes a work-based Record of Competence, which you can only complete by carrying out the skill with real patients in your own clinical setting, under the supervision of your employer or workplace supervisor.

Dental Radiography and Oral Health Education are taught through blended learning. You study online through our eTrain Virtual Learning Environment, which includes lecture slides, recorded lessons and other resources, and you join a live Zoom class once a month, lasting about three hours. The courses are designed to fit around full-time work.

Fluoride Varnish Application is taught fully online over about six weeks, at your own pace, with about five to six hours of study a week. Your practical skills are then assessed in your workplace.

The Record of Competence (RoC) is an electronic portfolio that shows you can carry out the new skill safely and competently in practice. It is completed in your own workplace and is made up of:

• Practical Competence Assessment Sheets, which your workplace supervisor completes as they observe you
• case studies (for Dental Radiography and Oral Health Education)
• supplementary outcomes, which provide additional evidence of your knowledge and skills.

Your tutor will explain exactly what evidence is required and review your progress.

Your workplace supervisor must be a suitably qualified, GDC-registered colleague, usually a dentist, who can observe your practical work and confirm your competence.

For Dental Radiography and Oral Health Education, your NEBDN registration and Record of Competence are valid for three years from your start date. You must also complete your RoC by the School’s deadline before you can be entered for the written examination.

Yes, you can. Each course needs regular study and a work-based Record of Competence, so we usually recommend taking one course at a time unless you have plenty of time and patient opportunities at work.

For Dental Radiography and Oral Health Education, you sit a 90-minute written examination set by NEBDN, in two parts:

• Part A: 45 multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
• Part B: 30 extended matching questions (EMQs).

You must pass both the written examination and your Record of Competence to achieve the certificate.

Fluoride Varnish Application has no written examination. You are assessed through your Record of Competence only.

NEBDN holds post-registration examinations twice a year, in March and September. In 2026 the dates are Friday 6 March and Friday 4 September. The School will confirm your exam date, taking into account your progress with your Record of Competence.

The examination is conducted online with remote invigilation. NEBDN will send you joining instructions and technical requirements before your exam.

You can resit at a later sitting. NEBDN charges a resit fee, which was £150 in 2026. Your tutor will help you prepare for your resit.

Yes, but NEBDN charges a deferral fee, with a higher fee applying if you defer within four weeks of the examination. Please speak to us as early as possible if you think you may need to defer.

For the latest fees, please see our Schedule of Fees and Charges.

Once qualified, you can act as an operator under the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IR(ME)R), taking intra-oral and extra-oral radiographs (X-rays) of patients on the prescription of a dentist. You must always work within your employer’s procedures and the GDC’s Scope of Practice.

Topics include radiation physics and protection, IR(ME)R and related legislation, intra-oral and extra-oral radiographic techniques, radiographic anatomy, image quality and processing, digital imaging, quality assurance and patient safety.

You need regular access to radiography equipment in your dental practice, opportunities to take radiographs on patients, and a workplace supervisor who can observe you and confirm your competence. Your practice must be able to support your training within its radiation protection arrangements.

You will be qualified to plan, deliver and evaluate oral health education for individual patients and groups, in a dental practice, in the community or in a hospital. Many practices use qualified oral health educators to run prevention programmes and support patients in improving their oral health.

Topics include the causes and prevention of oral disease, oral hygiene techniques, diet and oral health, smoking cessation awareness, behaviour change, patient-centred communication, and planning and evaluating oral health education sessions.

You need opportunities to deliver oral health education to patients in your workplace, so that you can complete your case studies and Practical Competence Assessment Sheets, and a supervisor who can observe and confirm your competence.

You will be able to apply fluoride varnish to patients’ teeth on the prescription of a dentist, or as part of a structured dental health programme, working within the GDC’s Scope of Practice and your employer’s protocols.

Topics include the science of fluoride and caries prevention, patient risk assessment, application technique, indications and contraindications, consent, record keeping and your professional responsibilities.

This is an entry requirement for the course. It ensures you have enough experience as a registered dental nurse before you take on an extended clinical duty.

Instalment plans are interest-free, and you can also pay in full at the start. Payments must be made on time each month to keep access to the course and to remain eligible for NEBDN examination entry.

Yes, you may incur additional costs for:

• Recommended textbook: Details are available in the course resources on eTrain.
• Resits, deferrals or late entries: Please check our Fees and Charges page for the latest fees.

NEBDN sets its own fees, which may change. Please refer to our Refund and Tuition Fees Policy for full details.

Some employers fund post-registration courses for their dental nurses, because the new skills benefit the practice. It is worth asking your practice before you enrol.

Yes. Your initial course fee will be refunded in full if you withdraw before your course starts and before we register you with the examination board. Once either has occurred, fees already paid are non-refundable, and any remaining instalments remain payable.

To cancel, contact us in writing at dental@schoolofdentalnursing.com. Please see our Refund and Tuition Fees Policy for full details.

NEBDN usually issues certificates within one month of confirming examination results. The School will forward your certificate to you once it arrives.

You do not need to re-register. Keep your certificate safe, as your employer will need to see it before you carry out these duties, and you can use it as evidence of your professional development.

Yes. The learning on a post-registration course can count towards the continuing professional development (CPD) you need for your GDC registration. Keep a record of your hours and learning outcomes in your Personal Development Plan, following the GDC’s current CPD guidance.

Post-registration qualifications can widen your role in the practice and open routes into positions such as lead dental nurse, oral health coordinator, practice manager or dental nurse tutor. Some dental nurses use them as a step towards training as a dental hygienist or dental therapist, which requires a separate degree-level qualification.

Yes. We also offer an online Basic Life Support (BLS) course for dental nurses. It is not an NEBDN qualification, but it can help you meet the BLS requirement for our Dental Radiography and Oral Health Education courses.