NEBDN Level 3 Diploma In Dental Nursing
NEBDN LEVEL 3 DIPLOMA IN DENTAL NURSING (RQF) COURSE SUMMARY
Diploma in Dental Nursing leads to a level 3 qualification recognised by the General Dental Council (GDC). It covers every learning outcome in the GDC’s Preparing to Practise framework.
Start date: Enrol at any time and start studying the same day. There are no fixed start dates or waiting lists.
Who it’s for: Learners aged 16 and over who currently live in the UK.
Course duration: The Standard course duration is 12-18 months.
How you’ll study: This is an online / remote course. You’ll learn through Zoom, WhatsApp and our Online Students Hub. Teaching and assessments are in English.
Course fee: £1,850, with the option to spread the cost into monthly payments. NEBDN examination fees are charged separately.
Exam fee: £525, paid separately from the course fee. It has to be paid in one full payment once you start working as a trainee dental nurse. It also provides access to PebblePad, which is used to complete your practical assignments for the Portfolio of Evidence (PoE).
Total course fee: £2375 provided that you complete all assignments within deadlines and pass both exams from the first attempt.
Exam sittings: There are two windows a year. The first is the Knowledge Test in November with the Professional Discussion in January. The second is the Knowledge Test in April with the Professional Discussion in June. You need at least 12 months of study before you can sit the exams. All NEBDN exams are taken online.
Online invigilation: Exams are supervised remotely through the MaxExam app, which uses your webcam and microphone. The NEBDN team reviews all examination records to check for possible cheating occurrences and may investigate this further.
Live lessons: Core teaching takes place on Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM via Zoom. Each session is recorded and uploaded to the Students Hub, so you can catch up anytime.
Exam preparation: On weekday evenings at 7:00 PM we run theory and practical revision sessions. Your tutor will also walk you through building your PoE.
Work placement: We’re in touch with a wide network of dental practices across the UK and will point you in the right direction when you’re looking for a trainee post. Finding a placement does ultimately rest with you, though. Students are expected to actively apply for trainee dental nurse vacancies until they secure a placement. You can start applying for these jobs right now to try and get a placement before joining the course.
Awarding body: National Examining Board for Dental Nurses (NEBDN).
After you qualify: Pass both exams and you’ll hold the NEBDN National Diploma in Dental Nursing. That allows you to apply for the GDC registration and work as a qualified dental nurse anywhere in the UK.
Entry requirements: No formal academic qualifications are needed to start. Once you enrol, we’ll send you an enrolment letter to support your trainee job applications. You do need to speak and write English well enough to communicate clearly with patients, their families and the wider dental team. You also need a trainee role, because the PoE has to be completed through real clinical work.
Good dental nurses tend to share a few qualities:
- Clear communication, both written and spoken
- Composure when things get busy
- A warm, caring manner
- Reliability and good timekeeping
- A genuine team-player attitude
DIPLOMA IN DENTAL NURSING TRAINING
Enrolling on our NEBDN Diploma in Dental Nursing course learners follow means working in a dental practice as a trainee throughout your studies. We regularly reach out to nearly 3,000 UK clinics about trainee vacancies and support our students in the search.
While you train, you’ll build your PoE and prepare for the theory and practical exams. Pass both and you’ll receive your NEBDN qualification, then your GDC number once you register. From there you can work as a qualified dental nurse anywhere in the UK.
STUDENT TRANSFERS
More and more learners on other NEBDN-accredited courses have been asking about switching to us, so we’ve made it simple. You can carry on your diploma with Dental Tutors for £150 a month. This fee is paid every month until you pass both exams. Your monthly fee covers:
- Dedicated student support
- Our complete level 3 learning library on the Online Students Hub
- Recordings for every lesson in the syllabus
- Animated treatment videos and labelling activities
- 2,000+ mock exam questions
- Knowledge Test revision
- Professional Discussion revision
- A minimum of three live Zoom lessons each week
CHEATING DURING EXAMS
Cheating of any kind is not tolerated. Exam integrity matters to us, and any attempt to cheat or interfere with the exam will be investigated. Students found responsible can be withdrawn or required to resit under an invigilator’s supervision, and they pay the associated costs such as: covering travel fees of the invigilator, accommodation, classroom hire, exams resit fees, and other related costs.
Remote monitoring through the MaxExam app is in place for every sitting. To avoid problems on the day:
- Sit somewhere quiet where nobody will disturb you, and make sure you’re alone. No children or pets in the room.
- Keep your camera unobstructed and stay in view for the whole exam.
- Don’t use phones, tablets, smartwatches or any other electronic device.
- Keep your desk clear. Textbooks and revision material aren’t allowed, but you may use pen and paper for brief notes.
NEBDN EXAM RESIT
Didn’t get through the exam first time? If you are currently with another course provider and you’d rather stay with them, then we offer our exam preparation subscriptions. You can choose self-study access or add a tutor:
- Knowledge Test mock exams: £100 a month on your own, or £200 a month with tutor support
- Professional Discussion preparation: £100 a month on your own, or £200 a month with tutor support
Become a Qualified Dental Nurse
Student Transfers
POST GRADUATE COURSES
Once you become a Qualified Dental Nurse we can help you to progress within dental nursing, enabling completion of Post-Registration courses such as:
• Radiography
• Oral Health Education
• Sedation Nursing
• Implant Nursing
• Orthodontic Nursing
• Fluoride Application
OTHER ROLES OF DENTISTRY
Candidates may also progress into other roles of dentistry such as:
• Tutor
• Witness or Mentor
• Practice manager
• Dental technician
• Dental hygienist
• Dental therapist
• Dentist