Guidance for those employing, supervising or training students, trainees or learners

We have recently reviewed our guidance for those employing, supervising or training trainee/student dental nurses or dental technicians. This guidance explains what is expected in respect of a registrant employing student/trainee dental nurses and dental technicians.

• Standards for the dental team
• Scope of practice

• Preparing for Practice

What defines a student/trainee dental nurse or dental technician?

• Employed and enrolled or waiting to start on a recognised programme that will lead to GDC registration; or
  
• Studying on a recognised programme that leads directly to GDC registration.
  

Guidance

• You should identify appropriate courses leading to registration.
• You should allow and require the trainee to enrol on a recognised programme, and meet the obligations that are required of it.
• You should identify a supervising GDC registrant and ensure they carry out the necessary supervision in accordance with this guidance.

• You should facilitate and support the trainee to complete the programme.

Duration of training

Trainee dental nurses:

• From 1 June 2026, all new trainee dental nurses must start a recognised training programme within 12 months of starting work.  
• Trainee dental nurses who are already in work when the new rules take effect, but have not yet started their training, will have the following transitional requirements: 

     - They must start their training by 1 June 2027, or 

     - Start their training within two years of the date they began work, whichever is sooner. 

• Trainee dental nurses who started or will start work between 1 June 2025 and 31 May 2026 must start training by 1 June 2027 even if their original two-year deadline would have been later.
• Once the award or qualification has been gained, registration should be sought and achieved promptly.

Trainee dental technicians:

• Trainee dental technicians must begin their programme within two years of commencing employment.
• Once the award or qualification has been gained, registration should be sought and achieved promptly.

We encourage all trainees to enrol onto a programme soon after starting work to ensure their training begins before the deadline.

Induction

Before the trainee dental nurse or technician undertakes any duties in the practice or laboratory, they must receive a formal structured induction, including training regarding patient safety and confidentiality; infection control; the protection of vulnerable children and adults; and how to deal with medical emergencies.

Supervision

The trainee dental nurse or technician must not undertake exposure prone procedures until they have the appropriate vaccinations (if applicable) as required to practise. Please refer to the relevant health protection body in your country for further information.
A named GDC supervising registrant must take full responsibility for providing direct supervision of the individual trainee. However, according to the ability and progress of the trainee, supervision may be delegated (if appropriate) to other GDC registrants. The named supervising registrant will continue to be accountable overall for the trainee.
The employer must ensure that the individual trainee keeps a log book of training they receive (including induction), which is regularly signed off by the designated supervisor.

Failure to comply with this guidance

GDC registrants who employ, manage and/or supervise students/trainees risk fitness to practise proceedings if they fail to comply with this guidance or with the Standards for the dental team.