NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice of Dental Nursing

The foundation unit. Establishes the legal and professional framework within which every dental nurse practises: GDC Standards for the Dental Team, scope of practice, statutory registration, professional accountability, whistleblowing, duty of candour, and the principles of consent, confidentiality, and UK GDPR. Key topics: GDC Standards, Scope of Practice, professional accountability, consent & confidentiality, UK GDPR, duty of candour, statutory registration.

Health and safety underpins every aspect of practice. Covers risk assessment under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, COSHH, manual handling, sharps regulations, and the full decontamination cycle specified in HTM 01-05. Key topics: HTM 01-05 decontamination, COSHH, sharps regulations, PPE, clinical waste, risk assessment, fire safety.

CPD is a mandatory GDC requirement, 50 hours every five-year cycle. Introduces the reflective practice frameworks used across a dental nurse’s career (Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle), supervision and feedback, and the documentation required to maintain GDC CPD compliance. Key topics: reflective practice models, GDC CPD cycle, supervision, personal development planning, portfolio evidence.

Patient education is a core part of the role. Develops your ability to deliver evidence-based oral health advice across different patient groups, including the aetiology of caries and periodontal disease, fluoride use, dietary advice, smoking cessation signposting, and behaviour-change models. Key topics: caries prevention, fluoride, dietary advice, motivational interviewing, health inequalities, patient communication.

The chair-side examination is the most frequent clinical encounter in dental practice. Covers surgery preparation, recording a full dental examination (medical history, BPE score, periodontal charting, FDI tooth notation), assisting with diagnostic instruments, and maintaining legally compliant patient records. Key topics: surgery preparation, medical histories, FDI notation, BPE scoring, patient records, record-keeping standards.

Radiography theory required of all dental nurses, supporting the clinician effectively (not taking images independently, which requires post-registration certification). Covers the physics of X-radiation, ionising radiation regulations (IR(ME)R 2017 and IRR 2017), radiation protection, ALARP, and the image types used in primary care dentistry. Key topics: IR(ME)R 2017, IRR 2017, radiation protection, bitewing/PA/OPG/CBCT, ALARP, film processing, digital radiography.

Restorative dentistry accounts for the majority of chair-side procedures. Develops competency in preparing for and assisting with cavity preparation and restoration using composite and glass ionomer materials, amalgam (under REACH regulations), and fissure sealant application. Also covers the chair-side management of periodontal disease. Key topics: composite & glass ionomer restoration, amalgam handling, periodontal disease management, fissure sealants, REACH regulations, matrix bands & wedges.

Prosthetic dentistry, crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays, veneers, full and partial dentures, requires precise chair-side support and excellent material handling. Covers preparation for crown and bridge procedures (temporisation, impression technique, shade selection), impression materials (alginate, PVS, polyether), laboratory communication, and fitting/adjusting removable prostheses including implant-retained options. Key topics: crown & bridge procedures, impression materials, shade taking, laboratory prescriptions, removable dentures, implant prosthetics.

Root canal treatment is one of the most technically demanding procedures in primary care. Teaches pulp and periapical anatomy, the stages of endodontic treatment, the instruments used (including NiTi rotary files), the role of rubber dam isolation, irrigation solutions (sodium hypochlorite safety), and the obturation and restoration of root-filled teeth. Key topics: pulp anatomy, root canal stages, NiTi instruments, rubber dam, irrigation safety, obturation, post and core restoration.

Extractions and minor oral surgery carry greater clinical and patient safety risk than routine restorative work. Covers surgical extractions, soft tissue biopsies, removal of cysts and impacted teeth, local anaesthetic handling (LA cartridges, disposal, allergy awareness), suturing, haemostatic agents, and the post-operative instructions that minimise complications including dry socket. Key topics: extraction instruments, surgical extractions, LA handling, suturing, haemostasis, post-operative care, dry socket management.

A thorough knowledge of dental and orofacial anatomy is the bedrock of effective clinical support. Covers the deciduous and permanent dentitions, tooth morphology and histology (enamel, dentine, cementum, pulp), the periodontium, the bones of the skull and facial skeleton, the muscles of mastication, and the major nerves and blood vessels. Also introduces caries, periodontal disease, oral cancer screening (NICE CG190), and developmental anomalies. Key topics: tooth histology, deciduous & permanent dentitions, oral anatomy, pathology recognition, oral cancer screening, BEWE, PUFA scoring.

Medical emergencies in the dental environment can be life-threatening. The GDC and Resuscitation Council UK both require all members of the dental team to maintain current basic life support competency. Covers the recognition and initial management of anaphylaxis, cardiac arrest, syncope, angina, asthma, hypoglycaemia, epilepsy, and local anaesthetic toxicity (LAST), the adult and paediatric ALS chains, emergency drugs and oxygen, and the practice emergency protocol under GDC Standards paragraph 6.3. Key topics: BLS & CPR, AED use, anaphylaxis, medical emergencies protocol, emergency drugs, LA toxicity, paediatric considerations.