Is dental nursing a good career?

[MrsBieber21]

Just that really. Is it a good career and is there a lot of room for progression? Thanks.

Well, it gives you a 'trade' if you like. A skill that is needed wherever there are people so you can move wherever you like and your skills will be needed.

It isn't massively well paid.

Some go on to become hygienists with further study.

I know a couple of people who are dental nurses. It is never going to make you rich, but has advantages over some other careers in that you can't be made to take work home with you. You can usually get jobs without having to commute to City Centres. Generally quite pleasant working conditions. They both like the interacting with people through the day.

I did it for years prior to joining the ambulance service. There’s lots of advancement (different qualifications once gained the initial qualifications) plus different areas you can work in….including working for 111.

You can work in clinics, hospital, community. I ended up progressing to a maxfac nurse

does it pay well - not as bad as some but equally not as good as some ! I eating more as a DSA than I ever did working for the ambulance service !

*earnt

I've been a dental nurse for 11 years. It's definately better than it was but I still think the pay is poor.

But its a sociable, stress free job and you have a trade with lots of transferable skills at the end of training.

I have 3 extra qualifications which I am very proud of, inhalation sedation nursing, intravenous sedation nursing and impression taking.
If you want to progress you can do extended duties courses such as radiography,oral surgery,sedation ect. Or go down the therapy/hygiene route OR away from clinic a practice coordinator/managerial role.

I have just accepted a managerial maternity cover position for a year. I will definately miss the clinic side of things and the patients.