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What a dental nurse does
A dental nurse provides chairside support to dentists and other dental professionals. The role includes preparing instruments and materials, assisting during procedures, managing infection control and supporting patients before, during and after treatment.
In many countries dental nursing is a registered or regulated role with recognised training requirements. Beyond clinical support, dental nurses help the practice run smoothly and keep patients reassured.
Core responsibilities
- Preparing the surgery, instruments and materials.
- Assisting the dentist chairside during procedures.
- Managing infection control and decontamination.
- Supporting and reassuring patients.
- Keeping accurate records and stock organised.
- Following health-and-safety and clinical procedures.
Skills and qualities
- Relevant dental-nursing training or qualification where required.
- Attention to detail and steady, careful hands.
- A calm, reassuring manner with patients.
- Good organisation and teamwork.
- Awareness of infection control and decontamination.
- Reliability and discretion.
Typical employers and settings
- General and specialist dental practices.
- Community and hospital dental services.
- Orthodontic and oral-surgery clinics.
- Dental staffing agencies.
How the role is recruited
- Roles are filled directly by practices or through dental agencies.
- Training, registration where required, and right to work are verified.
- Background and reference checks are common for clinical roles.
- Interviews assess chairside experience, organisation and patient care.
- Onboarding covers practice systems, infection control and procedures.
Documents involved
- A job description setting out chairside and practice duties.
- Proof of dental-nursing training or registration where required.
- An employment contract or agency assignment terms.
- An offer letter confirming role, hours and start date.
- Background and reference checks as required.
- An induction record covering infection control.
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