‘Dental nurse practitioners’ – what are they?

A dental nurse practitioner is a dental nurse who has undergone further training, in line with the possible training identified within the General Dental Council's Scope of Practice, and is therefore able to carry out individual clinical treatments on patients themselves rather than assisting a dentist. However, I must warn that the term ‘nurse practitioner’ is a protected title and therefore caution must be used when using the phrase ‘dental nurse practitioner’ as this may infringe on that title.

In line with above, a DNP is a DN who has undergone further training to allow the carrying out of clinical duties on patients under prescription from a dentist, or, in some specific instances, another dental care professional. This is a change as the role of DNs is in assisting treatment of patients, not carrying it out. However, it must be stressed that this is only in relation to specific treatments having undergone appropriate training.