Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry to Professional Practice for Dental Nurses ( Diploma) (5238)

  • Coming Soon (July 2025 - Sept 2025)
Last Updated: 14 Aug 2024

The Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry to Professional Practice for Dental Nurses Diploma has been developed as part of the Qualification Reforms in England and is available for first teaching from September 2025.  


This qualification has been designed with the involvement of a range of technical subject matter experts and employers from small, medium and large organisations to ensure that it meets the needs of the occupation. The qualification aligns fully to the occupational standard and will provide employers with reliable evidence of a learner’s attainment against the knowledge, skills and behaviour (KSBs) which form the minimum requirements for entry into occupation.  

This qualification allows learners to learn, develop and practice the skills required for employment and/or a career progression in Dental Nursing. This is a Licence to Practice qualification has been approved by the General Dental Council (GDC) and achievement will be based on occupational competence and include work-based observation of practice by an occupationally competent assessor.  

*This qualification is subject to funding approval decisions which is expected to be communicated by end of August 2024.

This qualification is aimed at learners who are employed in a dental setting and wish to qualify as a dental nurse.
Available to deliver in the following:
  • England

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

General Information

What Is Involved In Studying This Course?
This qualification covers the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs) within the ST0113 Dental Nurse occupational standard, as well as to The Safe Practitioner Framework and is assessed by a portfolio of evidence, practical and multiple choice questions which cover the following areas:
  • Preparing for professional practice in dental nursing 
  • Health and safety practices in the dental setting 
  • Prevention and control of infection in the dental setting 
  • Dental and regional anatomy, oral health assessments and treatment planning 
  • Recognising and supporting actions during first aid and medical emergencies 
  • The safe use of ionising radiation to produce quality radiographic images 
  • Provide support for the control of periodontal disease and caries, and the restoration of cavities 
  • Provide support during the stages of prosthetic treatments 
  • Provide support during the stages of endodontic procedures 
  • Provide support during extractions and minor oral surgery 
  • Scientific and practical information to support the patient’s oral and physical health 
Learners must have access to realistic working and supportive learning environments that enable the development of the knowledge, skills and behaviours referenced above.   Learners must also have opportunity to become familiar with the online testing environment used to administer the MCQ test. 
What Careers Can This Lead To?
Our Dental Nursing qualifications are approved by the General Dental Council and support dental nurses to apply for registration on the professional register. 
What Is Involved With Delivering This Course?
City & Guilds expects this qualification to be delivered by highly skilled practitioners of learning delivery, assessment and quality assurance. Therefore, staff delivering these qualifications must be able to demonstrate that they meet the occupational expertise requirements outlined in the Qualification Handbook.   

Centres must be able to demonstrate that they have access to the equipment and technical resources required to deliver this qualification and its assessment. For further information please refer to the Qualification Handbook. 

Level 3

Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry to Professional Practice for Dental Nurses (Diploma) (5238-30)
Last Registration Date: 01 Dec 2028
Coming Soon (July 2025 - Sept 2025)

Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry to Professional Practice for Dental Nurses (Diploma)

  • Accreditation No: Data unavailable This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Other This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: Data unavailable This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: Data unavailable The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 01/12/2028 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: TBC, please speak to your Account Manager for further information Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Here you can find all documents related to this suite of qualifications.

By clicking on the section headings below, you can access a variety of documents such as the qualification handbooks and assessment materials, Statements of Purpose, and recognition letters from industry and employers.

Some documents may be password protected. Passwords can be retrieved by logging in to Walled Garden and visiting the Administration section of the relevant qualification catalogue page.

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

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