dental nurse progression

National minimum annual leave entitlement went up a few years ago. If you're working full time, it should be more like 28, not 20. Check it out!

hi, why don't you go for the interview and ask the senior nurse or dental nurse manager what is the chance of the job becoming permanent? is there a chance the hours could be increased? could you do bank nursing for them on the days you don't work? ( we offer this to part timers at the hospital if there are staff shortages etc) they always give you the opportunity to go down and have a look at the department before you even have an interview so maybe you should do this to see if you would like the department before you make the decision. the holidays are good in the nhs as is the pension scheme and you also get sick pay ( obviously there is a cut off point)but as you probably know the nhs is going through a tough time so its not all rosy, but max fax is great and really interesting you would be doing all sorts traumas, osteotomy's , head and neck cancers the list is endless and orthodontics is also rewarding and im sure they would want to put you in for you sedation post qual ( a question to ask at interview). iam full time but if i really wanted to do something different i would go for it. you could always join an agency and work part time hours for them to make up you loss of earnings and you will be gaining so much experience. yes it is normal because some of the nurses only do part time due to family / personal commitments so it will be to fill their hours up. hope this answers you questions and if you want to ask anymore fire away

Hi vickstar84, I was just reading your post and your job sounds amazing! I'm currently working in private practice in Exeter, have been qualified 2 years and I'm ready to progress. I've always wanted to work in the hospital in the max fax dept but no jobs have come up until now. There's a position in the hospital in the orthodontics and max fax dept but its only 28 hours a week. I'm currently working 37.5 hours a week and have a fairly good salary, but no sick pay and only 20 days hols. I'm really unsure whether to still apply and go for my 'dream job' and sacrifice the pay (and get a second job to pay the bills), or to wait for something full time.. Is it normal for that kind of position in the hospital to only offer 28 hours a week? Or are you full time? Reaaally dont what to do Any info would be hugely appreciated! Thanks!

hi, i just went for an interview at the hospital i work in now. At first i was only temp staff but kept applying for jobs when they came available while i was still working in the hospital. if you go on nhs careers and type in 'dental nurse jobs' you will see what is available and if you are applicable to apply, some want 1 years post experience, some don't want any i got the e-mail notifications and applied for lots, a job became available at a hospital near me so i went and spoke to the senior nurse and had a look around but unfortunately at the time i didnt have enough experience ! when i started the hospital i had just 6 months before passed my nvq 3 in dental nursing and just applied to do the courses when they became free. Don't get me wrong its not all easy work there is alot of late nights and the courses require 100% but if like i say you are willing to put in the time and effort i dont see a reason why you cannot do it! (cheesy i know)

my god, you have done alot. id love to get some more info from you. how did you start off to get to the point your at now? id love to know as much as poss about dentistry and different aspects and def willing to put in the effort

why dont you see about hospital dental nursing? i work in a hospital and my role is so varied. my main role is on the oral surgery dept/ dental casualty, and if needed (staff shortages) i help out on orthodontics , paediatrics, conservation and prostodontics! i also work in theatres where children and adults are under general anaesthetic to either do complex dental treatment (chin graphs, hip graphs, difficult wisdom teeth etc ) or simple 'pulling' list and also in a dental sedation suite treating medically compromised patients/ patients with complex med historys. since being at the hospital ive gained my sedation, oral health education, fluoride application and phlebotomy i also run my own nurse led clinics advising patients about oral health. i also help out the dental cadets with training and sometimes help the tutors teach the different post quals, and iam an invigilator for the dental nurse exams.so maybe that is worth a look. dont get me wrong i have worked hard to get where i am today but if you are willing to put the time and effort in to whatever you do you will be fine

hygiene and therapy is a big no as it involves uni and i have a daughter so cant go. anyone have an opinion on joining the army as a dental nurse?

Ah thanx VMs118 For the info. But I think about 4 yrs ago it was different then how times have changed. Well what ever she decides to do Hope she gets the money she deserves or we all deserve.

"specialist implant nursing" really isn't all that. You're a DN, just doing some different stuff. Pay may be a little better but not much.

Hygiene and therapy is a hard route to go. For example cardiff have 6 places and had over 480 applications this year. And to be honest, a lot of the uni's are NOT valuing the nvq as TWO a levels. If you're lucky they'll take it as one.

hi, im doing the advanced nursing, think thats nvq. i am unable to go to uni as i have a daughter so im trying to work around it. so maybe sedation, implants, working in a private practise, management?do you know anything about dental nursing in the army?

To be a tutor you would have to be qualified for at least 2 yrs. Try Hygiene or dental therapy. Is it the NVQ or the national qual your doing?? Because either will help you to progress. To be a hygenist u need at least 3 A levels the dental nurse quals are at least equvilent to 2 A levels. There is also sedation nursing or Oral health education. Special needs. The progression is much easier now than it was in my day you were a dental nurse all your life now there are so many choices. If I had my time again Id go down the hyg route. Good luck in the exams.

hi everyone,

i am stacey,new to this site, and i am a trainee dental nurse, meant to qualify couple years back but had my little girl so was unable to take my exmas, luckily i am back training and hopefully will gain my qualification this year. i have been thinking about progression however i am a little stuck on what to progress to, obviously i dont want to be a general practise nurse my whole life, ive decided on either practice management, implant specialist nurse, agency nursing, orthodontic nursing or a tutor. can anyone give me the pro's and cons of all to help me make my decision taking into account the salary but also what i can gain from it.

thankyou!

stacey