Strengthening our skills

To start from my beginnings, I left school with minimal GCSEs, dropping out of my A-levels and falling into an apprenticeship working with children. I enjoyed working with children a great deal and achieved my level two and three qualifications in childcare, but after three years felt this was not where my future would be. After some serious thought, I decided to shadow a local dental practice that offered me employment. I enjoyed watching the dentist work, the treatment carried out and what the job entailed. I started at the practice in February 2016 and joined the college in April 2016 to begin my Level 3 dental nursing programme. I was able to apply because applicants must have a C/4 in maths and English or functional skills, and the course emphasises the importance of motivation, work ethic and solid communication skills. I moved to a private specialist practice where I felt I had learnt so much as a person and as a nurse developing skills from other professionals around me. The length of a dental nurse apprenticeship varies. It typically takes 18 to 24 months to complete, however, this can vary depending on factors such as the apprenticeship structure and the curriculum.