Modern Apprentice - Trainee Dental Nurse

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Trainee Dental Nurses (Modern Apprenticeship)

What is a Modern Apprenticeship?

A Modern Apprenticeship is a job which lets people earn a wage and gain an industry-recognised qualification whilst they are working. This means that you will be an employee of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and during your employment with us will be supported to gain the skills and qualifications that will help to start your career as a Dental Nurse.

What will a Trainee Dental Nurse do?

A full outline of the duties is provided in the full job description and the duties will change regularly depending on what work and projects are required within the service. However, in general the tasks will be;

• Preparing the clinical environment, instruments and materials.
• Care for patients before, during and after treatment.
• Assisting clinicians as required.
• Supporting patients and carers.
• Preparation of materials,
• Maintain patient clinical records.
• Developing x-rays
• Ensuring patents and relatives are kept informed.
• Awareness of patients requiring additional support.
• Treat all patients, members of the public, colleagues as individuals and with respect at all times.
• Maintain adequate stock levels whilst ensuring resources are utilised responsibly.
• Responsibility for care, cleanliness and daily maintenance of specialised equipment.
• Compliance with NHS GG&C Health and Safety procedures and infection control

You will work to the Dental Nurse job description with the expectation that you will be supported and trained to carry out all of the duties and responsibilities outlined. You would not be expected to perform at the level of a Trained Dental Nurse upon appointment.

This is a Fixed Term post for 18 Months. Please note that this is a training post graded under Annex 21 Conditions** and appointees will be paid at the Scottish Living Wage.

Entry criteria:

• Three National 5 qualifications (or SCQF equivalent) at Grade A-C in English/ESOL, Maths and a Science Subject

Our Trainee Dental Nurse Programme (Modern Apprenticeship) is only open to applicants who will be aged 16 to 24 years (or 16 to 29 years for Disabled Applicants or applicants who are care experienced*) on 3rd August 2026, in line with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Widening Access to Employment Strategy and workforce projections.

There will be an information session on Wednesday, 8 th April 2026 @2pm to provide more information about the role and to give you an opportunity to ask any questions. To register for this session click the following link:

Please note the following important Dates:

Assessment Centre: 21 st April 2026

Interview: 14th April 2026

We are committed to recruiting a workforce that reflects our population and we welcome applications from people from Black, Asian or other Minority Ethnic backgrounds, from LGBTQ+ candidates, Care Experienced* people and Disabled people. NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best.

* Care experienced means anyone who at any point in their has lived with foster parents or kinship carers, or in a residential children's setting/secure unit. If this describes you please indicate this in your supporting statement.

**Modern Apprentices are appointed in line with Annex 21 of the Agenda for Change Terms and Conditions Handbook, appointments are offered on the successful undertaking of an initial training period of up to 4 years. For this 18 month post, you will receive:

Band 4 Salary Scale: £31,492 - £34,254

Modern Apprentice Starting Salary: £23,978 or the Scottish Living Wage for your age bracket, whichever is highest

• Band 4 Annexe 21 Year 1 – 70% of top of scale
• Band 4 Annexe 21 Year 2 – 75% of top of scale

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.