A dental nurse helps ensure that the patient is well cared for in the dental team. Dental nurses are calm, effective and caring when dealing with patient care and therefore support the patient in the dental practice. The nurse is the closest person to the dentist and ensures that the patient is properly cared for. Dentist care includes a wide range of procedures, from preparing the various materials needed to ensuring the right tools and equipment are used. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay. They must also clean and sterilize the instruments used. They may have additional responsibilities such as keeping patient oral health records, processing x-rays, and checking supplies. In a general dental practice, a dental nurse's duties may also include helping with reception, such as making appointments, being involved in the administration of the practice and collecting money. The Rach practice assigns specific job roles to the dental nurse and therefore may vary in each workplace. Since the dental nurse is in direct contact with the patient, he or she must take responsibility for ensuring that the orthodontist has all the necessary equipment to perform the procedure. They must also sterilize the equipment before and after use so as not to transmit any of the bacteria. They must also file and sort all necessary medical records for each patient and must take notes when the orthodontist performs an examination on the patient. They must be very vigilant and respond quickly to the orthodontist to avoid delays. The dental nurse is also responsible for maintaining a clean working environment to limit contamination. The more qualified dental nurse may also be told to take x-rays and create models of your gums and teeth. More importantly, they must maintain a high degree of confidentiality for the patient as they will be handling sensitive information. In the UK, it is possible for dental nurses to train without formal qualifications. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a custom essay. However, they must have a prior qualification if they wish to study a course approved by the General Dental Council. Course requirements vary, however entry to these courses may require an English and Maths GCSE or equivalent qualification, as well as a science subject. They must therefore train for a certain period before they are fully qualified. Working hours are typically 37 hours in an average week. A dental nurse can pursue a master's degree in orthodontic therapy, dental therapy, and dental hygienist.