Dental nurse | Average UK Salary & Outlook

Dental nurses help dentists to treat their patients and do reception work and other tasks in the practice.

  • Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.  
  • Record treatment information in patient records.  
  • Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.  
  • Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients.  
  • Assist dentist in management of
Read more about Dental nurse

Dental nurses typically work around 37 to 40 hours per week.

As a Dental nurse you will typically work evenings / weekends.

This occupation tends to be:

  • Conventional — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
  • Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical,
Read more about Dental nurse
* from ONETonline
Average salary
19,345 GBP *
per year
18,813 GBP
30,112 GBP
Starting
5+ Experience
* data taken from the Office of National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)
Average salary for Dental nurse

  • 19,374 GBP
  • 19,344 GBP
Average salary for part-time Dental nurse
Average salary for full-time Dental nurse

Showing:
  • 12,205 GBP
  • 12,205 GBP
  • 19,345 GBP
  • 19,344 GBP
  • 19,374 GBP
Salary over time for Dental nurse

Salary for this role has increased over time
  • 18,243 GBP
  • 18,324 GBP
  • 17,552 GBP
  • 18,535 GBP
  • 19,340 GBP
  • 18,791 GBP
  • 19,345 GBP
  • 19,964 GBP
Ads

Future outlook for Dental nurses

pointer
Balanced outlook
41 000+ jobs available
pointer
Balanced outlook
1% yearly wage growth (on average)
pointer
Balanced outlook
53% chance of automation in the future

Dental nurse - Your future job?


Which qualifications do I need?

Find out what you need to know in order to become a Dental nurse and the highest average level of education for people in this role.

In terms of people already doing this job:

  • 63% of people in this role have a post-secondary qualification such as a Higher National Diploma
  • 12% of people in this role have a Diploma of Higher Education or equivalent
  • 9% of people in this role have GCSEs or equivalent

You can study for a Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing.

You may be able to study full-time, or do 1 or 2 days a week in college and work in a surgery for the rest of the time.

You'll need:

  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • knowledge of medicine and dentistry
  • customer service skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Get the right qualification to begin your journey to becoming a Dental nurse

Medicine

Things to highlight for your Dental nurse interview

Cooperation Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. Attention to Detail Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. Integrity Job requires being honest and ethical. Dependability Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. Self Control Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Not sure if you are in the right job?

Take our career change quiz