Approved qualifications
Dental nursing
If your qualification has been approved by the GDC, you will be able to register on the basis of that qualification.
Details of registrable qualifications are listed below, as well as those that are no longer recognised for registration:
|
Qualification |
Awarded by |
|
UK qualifications
These qualifications will continue to be recognised for registration after 30th July 2008 |
|
|
|
National Certificate |
National Examining Board for Dental (NEBDN) |
|
The City & Guilds level 3 NVQ in Dental Nursing and the level 3 Award in Dental Nursing (VRQ) (England and Wales). |
City & Guilds/ NEBDN |
|
SVQ in Oral Healthcare Level 3 |
Scottish Qualifications Authority/NEBDN |
|
Certificate of Proficiency in Dental Nursing |
Dental Hospital recognised by the Association of Dental Hospitals |
|
Certificate of Higher Education in Dental Nursing |
The University of Portsmouth, 1 year programme
Cardiff University, 2 year part-time programme* |
|
Qualifications no longer awarded
These qualifications will no longer be recognised for registration.
After 30th July 2008, dental nurses holding one of these qualifications who wish to register for the first time or restore their name to the DCP register will need to take a current qualification. |
|
|
|
National Certificate |
National Examining Board for Dental Surgery Assistants (NEBDA) |
|
Certificate of Proficiency in Dental Surgery Assisting |
Dental Hospitals recognised by the Association of Dental Hospitals |
|
National Certificate in Science (Dental Surgery Assisting or Dental Nursing) |
BTEC |
|
Certificate in Dental Surgery Assisting or Dental Nursing |
SCOTVEC |
|
Part III DSA Training (Certified) |
Royal Navy |
|
Class 2 Dental Clerk Assistant |
Army |
|
DSA Training and Trade Ability Test B |
Royal Air Force |
|
Basic Dental Nurse Training and Individual Development |
Dental Defence Agency |
|
Accreditation
This route is no longer recognised for registration
|
Mebership of the Voluntary National Register |
British Association of Dental Nurses |
* This programme has received provisional approval from the GDC Education Committee. Full GDC approval of new programmes is not granted until the first cohort has completed its studies and examinations or assessments and the programme has been inspected by the GDC. Potential applicants should contact the provider for further information about the programme.
If you are currently enrolled on a training programme you will be able to work as a trainee until you have finished your studies.
Dental Technicians
If your qualification has been approved by the GDC, you will be able to register on the basis of that qualification.
Details of registrable qualifications are listed below, as well as those that are no longer awarded.
|
Qualification |
Awarded by |
|
UK Qualifications
These qualifications will continue to be recognised for registration after 30th July 2008
|
- BTEC National Diploma Dental Technology
- SQA Higher National Certificate in Dental Technology *
- Degree in Dental Technology
- Foundation Degree in Dental Technology
|
Approved BTEC providers
Edinburgh Telford College
Manchester Metropolitan University /The University of Wales Institute, Cardiff
De Montfort University
|
|
Qualifications No longer Awarded
These qualifications will no longer be recognised for registration
|
- City and Guilds Final Certificate in Dental Technology
- BTEC National Diploma in Science (Dental Technology)
- BTEC Diploma in Dental Technology,
- SCOTVEC Higher National Certificate in Dental Technology
- Edexcel BTEC Higher National Certificate
- Army – Levels 1, 2 and 3 (Dental Technology)
- Qualifications awarded by Technicians Education Council or Scottish Technicians Education Council
|
Approved City and Guilds provider
Lambeth College, London
Manchester Metropolitan University and UWIC
|
Accreditation
This route is no longer recognised for registration |
Membership of the Voluntary National Register |
Dental Technicians Association
PO Box 6520
Northampton
NN3 9ZX
|
* Students completing the SQA HNC in dental technology programme at Edinburgh's Telford College in 2008 will not be able to register with the GDC using this qualification. Any student who completed this SQA HNC programme prior to 2008 will be able to register with the GDC
If you are currently enrolled on a training programme you will be able to work as a trainee until you have finished your studies.
Clinical dental technicians
Clinical dental technicians are qualified dental technicians who have received additional training to develop their clinical skills.
Currently, there are no full clinical dental technology training programmes in the UK. However, the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) at the Royal College of Surgeons of England has developed an accredited UK diploma for holders of the Diploma in Clinical Dental Technology from George Brown College, Canada.
We are currently working with training providers to develop full UK based courses in clinical dental technology.
Click here for further information on training providers.
Orthodontic therapists
If you are an orthodontic therapist with a qualification that has been approved by the GDC, you will be able to register on the basis of your qualification.
Orthodontic therapists are able to assist dentists in carrying out orthodontic treatment and provide some aspects of the treatment themselves.
In order to train as an orthodontic therapist, you will already need to be qualified in dental nursing, dental hygiene, dental therapy or dental technology and will also need to have at least one year’s post-qualification experience.
If you would like further details of the skills that you will need to have to register as an orthodontic therapist you can view training as an orthodontic therapist.
What if my qualification is no longer awarded?
If you have a qualification that is no longer awarded or recognised by the GDC, and you have not yet registered, you will need to join a training course as soon as possible. Student dental nurses and dental technicians who are working towards a registrable qualification don't need to register with us until they have finished their studies. However, please remember that you will need to register as soon as you have qualified.