Hi,
1 -You will need either the NEBDN National Diploma in Dental Nursing or and NVQ Level 3 in Dental Nursing. You can find course providers on the NEBDN website for the national diploma. There is a mixture of online and classroom based courses. I think the NVQ is offered by City & Guilds but I don't personally know anyone that has done the NVQ. It normally takes 12-18 months to complete the NEBDN.
2 - Our trainees are on £7.20 (National living wage) but we are paying for their course (£1700 each) and they will get a pay rise once they are qualified.
3 - Worst aspects are you can get low pay. You might be expected to pay your own GDC registration (£116 per year) and your own indemnity (mine was just over £100 this year). I love being a dental nurse though and I work with a good dentist. The most annoying thing I find is friends and family all of a sudden think you are a dentist and ask you about their problems all the time! Well thats what I find anyway.
4 - I don't really switch off when I leave work because I am also practice manager. When I was just nursing I did switch off. I love everything about dental nursing especially the opportunities to complete post qualification courses.
5 - I think only you can answer that question! Dental nursing does seem to be female dominated so it would be nice to have more men join in! When I sat my written exam there were about 300 people and only 2 of them were men.
Good luck!
