Health Professions & Social Services
Dental nursing SVQ3/PDA (MA)
Campus Sighthill Campus
Qualification SCQF Level 7
Study mode Open learning
Start date
Aug 2025
Course enquiry form
Course overview
This course is for applicants wishing to train as a Dental Care Professional (DCP). Dental Nursing SVQ Level 3 is designed to prepare you for a rewarding career as a dental nurse. During this course, you will learn the essential employability skill of chair-side support to team members during treatment sessions in dental surgery.
Part-time applicants must be employed as trainee dental nurses and will be required to complete an induction unit before commencing SVQ. For part-time application information, please email: modernapprenticeships@edinburghcollege.ac.uk or call 0131 297 8600
Once you have completed this qualification, you are required to undertake further study with the PDA (Professional Development Award) in Dental Nursing. To undertake this PDA you are required to be in employment as a trainee Dental Nurse and complete your studies whilst working.
To register and work as a Dental Nurse, you are required to hold both qualifications and meet the GDC standards of Conduct. Read more about the GDC.
What you will learn
- Chair-Side Support
- The Preparation of Instruments
- Mixing of Dental Materials
- Patient Comfort
- Preparation and Maintenance of the Clinical Environment
- Infection Control Guidelines
- Recording of Clinical Charting
- Maintaining Patient Records
- Dental Radiographs
- Core Skills
Placement information
- No placement element to the MA award as candidates must already be employed as trainee dental nurses.
How the course is assessed
- Continual assessment with a portfolio of clinical experience.
- E-Assessment using industry-recognised assessment programmes.
- A minimum of two mandatory workplace observations by SVQ assessors.
Number of days per week
- 1 full day in college per week
Progression and Articulation Routes
- To register and work as a Dental Nurse you are required to hold both SVQ and PDA qualifications included in this course to meet the GDC standards of Conduct.
Career options
- Dental practices
- Clinics
- Dental hospitals
- Opportunities to undertake post registration qualifications leading to specialist clinical roles
Study Options
| Campus | Study mode | Start date |
|---|---|---|
| Sighthill Campus | Open learning | 25/08/25 |
