Overview
Who is this course for?
This course has been developed and accredited for dental nurses aiming to enter leadership positions within their practice. It equips both individuals aspiring to transition into leadership roles and those already in leadership – specifically head dental nurses without prior formal accredited training.
What can you expect to gain from this course?
This comprehensive course provides thorough theoretical and practical training for the lead dental nurse role. Accredited up to Level 3, incorporating Levels 1 and 2 training, it ensures that upon completion, participants will be well-prepared for this pivotal role, with the leadership and daily operational skills necessary to excel and distinguish themselves.
What time commitment is needed to complete the course?
The course is flexible and is designed to be completed within three months. However, we provide up to six months for completion of the course. We recommend completing one unit per week. The units can be completed at a time that suits you outside of work hours. You will need to apply your learning in your workplace; see the full course and assessment information here.
What certificate is awarded?
Upon successful completion of the course units and assessments, learners are awarded a fully accredited Level 3 Certificate in Dental Nurse Leadership.
Taught by Stephanie Carter
The course is taught by industry-leading clinical instructor Stephanie Carter. Stephanie has over twenty years of experience in the dental industry and holds a Level 7 qualification in leadership and management and a Level 5 diploma in teaching.
Student Feedback
Benefits
Starting in February 2024, enrolled students can now access our Level 1 Certificate in Essential Learning Skills at no additional cost. Developed by Melanie Pomphrett RDH, who holds a Masters Degree in Professional Dental Practice and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, this course is carefully designed to empower students for successful completion of their course.
The major benefits of the course include:
- Online tutorials;
- Downloadable booklet;
- Unlimited access to learning materials for 6 months.
- Complete in 6 months.
- Affordable extended-duties course;
- Unlimited tutor support throughout the 6 months;
- Tutors can be contacted Monday - Saturday 8am - 8pm;
- Nationwide availability;
- 30 hours of verifiable CPD;
- Free access to a Level 1 Certificate in Essential Learning Skills;
- Accredited Level 3 Certificate in Lead Dental Nursing, awarded upon successful completion.
Structure and Objectives
This course is accredited and delivered online, offering distance learning flexibility. While the course duration spans up to 6 months, students can finish sooner if they progress quickly. It comprises online tutorials, learning materials, tests, and practical work assessments. Each student is paired with a dedicated tutor for guidance and support, supplemented by optional Zoom drop-in sessions. With comprehensive support from our education team, we're dedicated to your success and ensuring you are awarded your accredited certificate upon completion.
Blended learning:
- Online zoom classrooms*
- Online reading and video tutorials;
- Online multiple choice quizzes;
- Written assessments.
Assessments
At the end of each presentation there will be a multiple-choice quiz, which must be passed. The pass mark is 80%.
For each module there will be one or two assignments, which must be submitted to your assessor for marking.
Module 1: Caring for the dental team
Create an induction plan and checklist for a trainee dental nurse.
Module 2: Management skills for lead dental nurse
Submit the agenda and the minutes for a team meeting that you hold.
Module 3: Professionalism, and legal and ethical issues
Plan and hold a short training session for the dental team (minimum of two GDC registrants) on the topic of whistle-blowing. Submit lesson plan, reflective journal and learner feedback for a minimum of 2 GDC registrants.
Module 4: Clinical and practical skills
Complete an audit. (This will include completing the audit, creating and implementing an action plan, then re-auditing to check progress.)
Create a surgery folder for locum dental nurses to use when they are in the practice.
Learning Objectives
Module 1: Caring for the dental team
Unit 1: Communication skills
- Explain the benefits of good, effective communication.
- Describe communication models.
- Explain the Shannon-Weavers communication model.
- Explain the advantages and disadvantages of different communication methods.
- Describe good communication skills.
- Explain barriers to good communication and ways to overcome them.
Unit 2: Stress and time management
- Define the term ‘stress’.
- Describe the signs and symptoms of stress.
- Describe causes of stress.
- Describe different time management strategies.
- Explain how time management skills can reduce stress.
Unit 3: Inductions to the team
- Describe the benefits of inductions.
- Describe the information the induction needs to provide to team members with differing experiences/qualifications.
- Describe the process and procedures for inductions.
- Understand the requirements for documenting inductions.
Unit 4: Mentorship and team development
- Define the terms ‘mentor’, ‘mentorship’, and ‘team development’.
- Explain the benefits of mentorship to the dental team and the overall running of the dental practice.
- Explain the role of a mentor.
- Describe how to set up mentoring within the dental team to promote team development.
Module 2: Management skills for lead dental nurses
Unit 1: Planning team meetings
- Explain the benefits of team meetings.
- Identify the types of information that should be included in team meetings.
- Plan a team meeting.
Unit 2: Planning rotas and work allocation/delegation
- Describe the benefits of delegation.
- Explain how to allocate work to individuals.
- Create a work rota.
Unit 3: Motivating the team
- Define the term ‘motivation’.
- Explain why motivation is important/benefits the team.
- Describe different ways of motivating individuals and teams.
Unit 4: Conflict resolution and problem solving
- List common conflicts and problems that can arise in the dental team.
- Explain why these situations can occur.
- Explain why resolving conflicts and problems is important.
- Explain ways to resolve conflicts and problems.
Module 3: Professionalism, and legal and ethical Issues
Module 3 is based on UK dental regulations. Unit 6 is based on the CQC for England.
Unit 1: GDC Standards for the Dental Team
- List the GDC Standards.
- Explain each Standard in detail.
- Describe how the Standards can be met in daily practice.
Unit 2: Regulations, accountability and responsibility
- Define the terms ‘regulations’, ‘accountability’ and ‘responsibility.'
- List and briefly describe the regulations that affect the dental team.
- Explain the different accountability and responsibility attached to the different roles within the team.
Unit 3: Record-keeping and consent
- Explain why we need to keep records.
- List the different information required in records.
- List the different dental charts including periodontal charts.
- Write up clinical notes for a dental appointment to aid clinicians.
- Explain how records are stored and who can access records.
- Describe the regulations surrounding record-keeping.
- Define the term ‘consent’.
- Explain the consent-gaining process.
- Describe the issues surrounding consent-gaining.
Unit 4: Safeguarding Level 1 & Level 2
- Understand what safeguarding means and why it is important to the dental team.
- Define the different types of abuse.
- Explain the principles of online safety to children, young adults and vulnerable adults.
- Describe the normal stages of child development and how abuse and neglect can impact this.
- Understand factors which can be associated with child abuse.
- List the pieces of legislation relevant to safeguarding.
- Describe the normal stages of child development and how abuse and neglect can impact this.
- Understand factors which can be associated with child abuse.
- List the pieces of legislation relevant to safeguarding.
Unit 5: Whistleblowing
- Define the term ‘whistleblowing’.
- List the sources of advice and guidance on whistleblowing.
- Explain the reasons for whistleblowing.
- Describe the process of whistleblowing.
Unit 6: Care Quality Commission (CQC)
- Give a brief background of the CQC.
- Explain the role of the CQC in practice regulation.
- Explain the Key Lines of Enquiry and how we can evidence they are being met.
- Describe the types of CQC assessment and how to prepare for CQC inspection.
Module 4: Clinical and practical skills
Unit 1: Managing the clinical environment
- Explain the importance of maintaining the clinical environment.
- List the ways of monitoring the environment (checklists).
- Explain how to manage and improve problem areas.
Unit 2: Stock control and ordering
- Explain the benefits of stock control.
- Explain the importance of stock rotation.
- Explain the importance of monitoring stock dates and how to set up appropriate monitoring tools.
- Complete a stock check.
- Describe methods of stock control and ordering.
Unit 3: Surgery folders
- Explain the benefits of surgery folders.
- Describe the information that should be in the folder.
- Create a surgery folder.
Unit 4: Audits
- Define the term audit.
- List the different audits required for dental practice.
- List the audits that should be carried out by the lead dental nurse.
- Create action plans based on audit results.
Tutors
Stephanie Carter RDT, RDH
Registered Dental Hygienist and Therapist: 119601
Qualifications: Diploma Dental Hygiene and Therapy, National Certificate Dental Nursing, Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training, Level 4 National Certificate in Internal Quality Assurance, Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement, NEBDN Certificate Dental Radiography, ILM Level 3 Award in Leadership and Management, Smoking Cessation Counselling Levels 1 and 2, Young Counsellors Certificate
Hilary Urry RDN
Registered Dental Nurse: 139277
Qualifications: Foundation Degree in Advanced Dental Nursing (University of Kent), Certificate Dental Radiography (City University London), Level 3 Certificate in Education and Training, Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement, Level 2 Mental Health Lead.
Competency Training: Fluoride Varnish Application
DATES
- Monday 20 May 2024 - Available
- Monday 24 June 2024 - Available
Payment
Payment Plans
We now offer the option to pay over five payments. Please be aware, this increases the fee to £410.00 inc. VAT.
Payment due dates:
- 20 May 2024 £82.00 (Non-refundable deposit)
- 20 June 2024 £82.00
- 20 July 2024 £82.00
- 20 August 2024 £82.00
- 20 September 2024 £82.00
We will NOT send reminders of payment due dates. Failure to make payment by the due dates will result in automatic removal from the course.
Please note, your certificate of competence will not be awarded until full payment is made.
Please note that discounts are applied to the VAT-exclusive fee. Discounts cannot be applied to payment plans.
Multiple applicant discounts
- Two applicants: 5% discount
- Three applicants: 10% discount
- Four or more applicants: 15% discount
Multiple course discounts
- Two courses: 5% discount
- Three courses: 10% discount
- Four or more courses: 15% discount
Please apply by telephone or use the application form here. DNN will send you an invoice.