Eligible schools
All Ayrshire schools
Location/Days/Times
Kilwinning Campus - Monday and Wednesday 09:00 - 16:00.Overview
This course is an ideal preparation for starting your career as a dental nurse. You may also benefit from this course if you are planning a career in the NHS and are looking to boost your experience of clinical settings and health care before applying for posts or more advanced level courses.
Course Content
The course develops your knowledge and understanding for working successfully in a dental or care setting. You will achieve an NC in Oral Health and National Progression Awards in Oral Health.
Get ready for a hands-on, interactive journey into the world of dentistry! Here's some of what’s coming up:
Oral Cancer Awareness Project
Work together to design and deliver a creative project that raises awareness about oral cancer. In previous years, students have hosted amazing events with stalls, competitions, bake sales, games, free goody bags, glitter tattoos, hair tinsel, radio adverts, and so much more. This is your chance to make a real impact while having fun!
Oral Health Improvement
Ever wondered how sugar affects your teeth? Dive into activities like sugar bag demos, toothbrushing, and egg experiment to learn how to keep your smile healthy for life!
Infection Prevention & Control
Become a germ-fighting hero! Discover how pathogens spread and learn practical skills to stop them in their tracks. Suit up with PPE, practice decontaminating a dental surgery, and master the washer disinfector and autoclave to keep instruments sparkling clean.
Dental Anatomy
Explore the fascinating structure of the face and skull and uncover the secrets of tooth anatomy. You'll know your incisors from your molars in no time!
Dental Patient Care
Learn how to communicate like a pro and support patients in making healthier choices. We'll focus on person-centred care with approaches like 'What Matters to Me'.
Entry Requirements
For entry to this course, you will require three National 5 qualifications.
Please write a detailed personal statement on the online application form, giving your reasons for applying for this course.
You may be contacted to clarify points of information from your application.
How will I be assessed?
Assessments will be ongoing and will include both practical and knowledge-based assessments under closed- and open-book assessment conditions.
What should I expect?
Classes generally start at 9am, 11am and 2pm with breaks in between.
Students will have full access to college facilities during your break times.
Students will study several discrete units of study between August and January, and another set of units from January to June. Good attendance is a requirement for success.
Opportunities to develop friendships and a support network will be high as you will remain with the same class group for the duration of your course.
This course is delivered by a dental professional, and skills work will take place in the onsite 'dental surgery.'
Students are required to be proficient in managing both school and college work.
Careers and Further Study
This qualification provides an excellent foundation for securing your employment as a trainee dental nurse. It reassures potential employers of your readiness to continue your training and the subsequent achievement of on the job vocational qualifications
Your tutor will discuss your options with you prior to finishing the course. This course could be your stepping stone to a level 6 Health and Social Care course such as Health and Social Care: Developing Knowledge and Skills or Health and Social Care: Care Work Ready or the HNC Healthcare Practice course.
Skills
You will develop the caring skills and qualities essential for working in health care. Some examples of skills include:
- Communications skills
- Employability skills such as timekeeping and being able to use your own initiative
- Digital skills which are becoming essential to work and home life.
- Leadership and team working skills.