NVQ
This is vocationally based and is run by the City and Guilds organisation.
- Work based, we travel to you
- Learning and Skills Council (LSC) funding may be available
- Students are required to complete Key Skills Level 2 in Certification of Number and Communication unless they hold a GSCE pass at level C or above in English and Maths
- Takes between 18 – 24 months to complete
- A portfolio based programme, your allocated assessor guides you through this
- Rolling programme, you can start at any time
- VRQ, a simple written examination taking place in June and December
Trainee dental nurses work in their own practices where they are visited from time to time by WoEDNT assessors who advise them how to approach the NVQ and assess their practical abilities in the surgery. It is a policy of WoEDNT that assessment of trainee dental nurses should be by qualified dental nurses rather than by dentists.
All trainees build a portfolio of work to show their competence at practical dental nursing and in addition complete a distance learning course to cover background theory. The qualification is completed by the VRQ exam, set by City and Guilds to ensure fairness between assessment centres. Trainees may start at any time of year when their practices feel they are ready.
WoEDNT provides some short courses in addition to the NVQ, covering various topics of dental nursing and reception work. These are likely to increase with the future need for registered dental nurses to do CPD.