Dental Nursing

Top 11 For General Nursing - The University of Northampton is a top 11 institution for general Nursing in the Best UK University Guardian League table for 2026.

Our Dental Nursing Foundation Degree course provides you with a wide range of academic skills and work related competencies. On completion of the award you will be able to apply for registration with the General Dental Council.

The course is designed to recognise the increasing need for theory linked to practice, which is supported through applying the General Dental Council Standards for the Dental Team (2013) and the General Dental Council (2015) learning outcomes for Dental Nurses.

You will understand the key competencies required to work safely as a registered dental nurse and on completion of the course you will be able to put these into practice confidently. Our Dental Nursing course encourages the holistic care and treatment of dental patients and supports you in expanding your knowledge so that you are prepared for a career in Dental Nursing.

The course links theory to practice, supported through underpinning knowledge, work-based clinical skills, and placement options each year. You will be offered a range of work placements in environments such as general dental practices, hospitals and orthodontics, which will allow you to develop your competence in a range of skills before you register with the General Dental Council.

Through studying this Foundation Degree you will be able to develop careers in areas of dental nursing including radiography, oral hygiene instruction, sedation, work-based mentoring and special care dental nursing.

By studying at the University of Northampton, you can be sure that:

• Our expert academics teach in small groups supported with one to one assistance. Our academics and students form a tight bond, providing individualised support and guidance whilst challenging students academically.

• Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd.

• You will experience student life at the University’s £330 million Waterside Campus. Come along to an Open Day and find out more.

• At UON we guarantee a room in our Halls of Residence for all new full-time, first year students who apply and accept their room offer by June 2026 - and we won't ask for a deposit for September 2026**.

• Students enrolling on this course at Northampton will be provided with their own brand new laptop** to keep at no additional cost. All sports clubs and societies are free to join at Northampton and every essential course text book is available via the library, meaning you won’t have to purchase copies. For more information on this visit our website (northampton.ac.uk/benefits).

The Northampton Employment Promise

• In fact, we’re so confident in our careers and employability support that if you achieve at least a 2:2 degree and complete either our Employability Plus Gold programme or achieve a Changemaker Gold Certificate during your time studying with us, but still haven’t secured full-time employment 12 months after graduating, we will secure a three – six month paid internship for you or support you into postgraduate study.

✱ eligibility criteria apply. See northampton.ac.uk/student-life/accommodation/ for more information.
✱✱ eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply. See northampton.ac.uk/benefits for more information.

STAGE 1:
• Dental Nursing Practice 1 (compulsory)
• Foundations of Dental Nursing (compulsory)
• Introduction to Biomedical Science and Oral Biology
(compulsory)
• Chairside Support (compulsory)

STAGE 2:
• Dental Nursing Practice 2 (compulsory)
• Managing Patient Care (compulsory)
• Applied Biomedical Science and Oral Biology (compulsory)
• Advanced Chairside Support (compulsory)

*Students take all modules.
**Module information is quoted for 2025/26 entry. Please note that modules run subject to student numbers and staff availability, any changes will be communicated to applicants accordingly.

There are various assessment methods, these include: viva voce; clinical simulated tests; presentations; assignments; electronic clinical portfolio.