“My dental nursing career has many bonuses."
"My role as an Army Dental Nurse is really rewarding"
As a Dental Nurse you’ll play your part in keeping soldiers fit and well so that they can do their jobs. You’ll care for patients, prepare equipment and sterilise instruments. You’ll also move practices every few years and be a highly skilled soldier. You don’t need qualifications when you join – we’ll train you and help you work towards a Diploma in Dental Nursing – but if you’re already a registered Dental Nurse we want to hear from you too. Work hard and you could become a Dental Practice Manager, but there are many other roles and qualifications available too, plus a pension, sports and adventure training.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Earn a competitive salary and non-contributory pension.
- Get fully funded Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities.
- Progress to Dental Practice Manager.
- Take on challenges, make new friends, and enjoy adventurous training and sport.
- Join as a qualified dental nurse or train as a dental nurse through the Army.
TRAINING FOR THE ROLE
Step 1
You'll start with your initial military training which will teach you how to be a soldier - this will cover everything from fieldcraft to how to handle a rifle. Your training will take place at Pirbright or Winchester and will last for 14 weeks.
Step 2
After that you study dental nursing in Lichfield for 15 weeks. The course covers anatomy, physiology, surgery and infection control. You also learn to prepare dental materials, give advice on disease prevention and process X-rays. It all prepares you to sit your National Diploma in Dental Nursing exam, a recognised civilian qualification.
If you are already a registered Dental Nurse, you would do a week of dental training before qualifying.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Age: 17 years 9 months - 35 years 6 months
QUALIFICATIONS:
- QUALIFIED - Qualified dental nurse with active registration with the General Dental Council (GDC). May also be at the point of completing dental nurse training.
- UNQUALIFIED - No formal qualifications required
FITNESS:
Mid Thigh Pull 46kg
Medicine Ball Throw 3.1m
2km run 11m 15s (11m 30s for Junior Entry)
QUALIFICATIONS YOU COULD GET AFTER TRAINING
- National Diploma in Dental Nursing
- All Army Dental Nurses have the opportunity to gain certificates in fluoride application, impression taking, practice management to name a few.
RANK PROGRESSION
Learn about rank progression here.
PAY & BENEFITS
REGULAR
Earn £14,931 during training. When your training is finished, and you join your Unit, pay will rise to £21,600.
RESERVE
You’ll get paid a day rate according to your rank, starting from £37.47 in training and rising to £46.42 per day once you’re a Private. This includes being paid for weekly drill nights. Plus, if you complete all of your annual training days, you’re entitled to a tax-free lump sum called a bounty. More about Reserve benefits
TRAINING FOR THE ROLE
Step 1
You will complete your initial training over 4 weekends at your Unit or a central location found across the UK. If it suits you better, you can condense this into a 1 week training course.
Step 2
You will then attend a 2 week long training course at an Army Training Centre, these are located across the UK.
Step 3
Once your basic soldiering training is complete, you will move on to do trade specific training with your Unit.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Age: 17 years 9 months - 49 years 11 months
QUALIFICATIONS: Qualified dental nurse with active registration with the General Dental Council (GDC). May also be at the point of completing dental nurse training.
FITNESS:
Mid Thigh Pull 46kg
Medicine Ball Throw 3.1m
2km run 11m 15s (11m 30s for Junior Entry)
QUALIFICATIONS YOU COULD GET AFTER TRAINING
On successful entry into the Army Medical Services Reserve you will be eligible to apply for funding for Professional Qualifications to help you in your role with the Army Medical Services.
RANK PROGRESSION
Learn about rank progression here.
PAY & BENEFITS
REGULAR
Earn £14,931 during training. When your training is finished, and you join your Unit, pay will rise to £21,600.
RESERVE
You’ll get paid a day rate according to your rank, starting from £37.47 in training and rising to £46.42 per day once you’re a Private. This includes being paid for weekly drill nights. Plus, if you complete all of your annual training days, you’re entitled to a tax-free lump sum called a bounty. More about Reserve benefits
FROM THE FIELD
“My working pattern in the unit involves more training than dental work. This brings valuable skills that I can use in my civilian employment too, such as leadership, teamwork and problem solving. Would I recommend joining a Reserve Unit? Absolutely, it has improved me as a civilian dental nurse as well as offering me a worthwhile way of spending my spare time. Most of my friends just go to the pub or clubbing. Me? Every weekend is an adventure that I get paid for.”
HOW TO APPLY?
Once your online application has been approved, you'll meet with a local recruiter. This is your chance to tell us about the role that you're interested in. When you go to the Assessment Centre,you'll take tests - the results will show whether you'd be suitable for this role, or should consider a different role.