Practice managers look for GDC registration, chairside experience and safe decontamination first, then extra skills such as radiography or oral health education. This example is for a registered dental nurse in a mixed NHS and private practice. Trainee dental nurses can use the same layout and say where they are on their course.
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Example dental nurse CV
A fictional person, employers and figures, to show the format. Replace every detail with your own.
GDC-registered dental nurse with four years' experience in a busy mixed NHS and private practice. Confident chairside across general dentistry, endodontics and implants, and qualified in dental radiography. Calm with anxious patients and careful with decontamination. Looking for a lead dental nurse role.
Experience
Dental Nurse, Roath Park Dental Practice (6 surgeries), Cardiff (Jun 2023 - Present)
Support three dentists chairside across general, endodontic and implant treatment.
Take dental radiographs under prescription, following the practice's radiation protection rules.
Lead decontamination room checks and logs; the practice passed its last inspection with no actions on infection control.
Calm anxious patients through treatment and helped set up a quiet appointment list for nervous patients.
Trainee Dental Nurse, Llandaff Family Dental, Cardiff (Sep 2021 - May 2023)
Completed my dental nursing qualification while working full time.
Managed stock ordering for two surgeries and kept materials within date.
Receptionist, Llandaff Family Dental, Cardiff (Jan 2020 - Aug 2021)
Booked appointments, took payments and handled the practice phone line.
Education
National Diploma in Dental Nursing, NEBDN, 2021 - 2023
GCSEs including English, maths and science, Llandaff Fields High School, 2014 - 2019
Training and certifications
Certificate in Dental Radiography, NEBDN, 2024
Oral health education, Post-registration course, In progress
Medical emergencies and basic life support, Roath Park Dental Practice, 2026
Safeguarding adults and children, Roath Park Dental Practice, 2026
Skills
Chairside assisting, Dental radiography, Decontamination and infection control, Patient care and reassurance, Charting, Stock control, Practice management software
A dental nurse personal statement to adapt
GDC-registered dental nurse with four years' experience in a busy mixed NHS and private practice. Confident chairside across general dentistry, endodontics and implants, and qualified in dental radiography. Calm with anxious patients and careful with decontamination. Looking for a lead dental nurse role.
Key skills for a dental nurse CV
Chairside assisting - Four-handed dentistry, mixing materials and anticipating the dentist's next step.
Decontamination - Cleaning, sterilising and logging instruments to the standard your practice follows.
Patient care - Reassuring nervous patients and explaining aftercare clearly.
Charting and records - Accurate charting and notes on the practice system.
Medical emergencies - Knowing the practice's emergency drugs and kit, and basic life support.
Extended duties - Radiography, impressions, oral health education or fluoride application, if qualified.
Reception and admin - Many practices value dental nurses who can cover the desk.
What a UK dental nurse CV needs
GDC registration - Dental nurses must be registered with the General Dental Council to work as a qualified dental nurse. Say you are registered, or when you expect to register.
Your qualification - The NEBDN National Diploma in Dental Nursing or a Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing, or which year of training you are in.
Post-registration qualifications - Dental radiography, oral health education, impression taking, sedation or orthodontic nursing.
Hepatitis B immunity - Practices need evidence of hepatitis B vaccination and immunity. You can say it is up to date.
CPD - Registered dental nurses must keep up verifiable CPD. Mention core topics such as medical emergencies, disinfection and decontamination, radiography and safeguarding.
Settings and treatments - NHS, private, orthodontic, hospital or community, and the treatments you assist with.
Achievement bullets to adapt
The figures are invented to show the format. Use your own.
Supported three dentists chairside across general, endodontic and implant treatment.
Led decontamination checks and logs, with no infection control actions at the last inspection.
Took radiographs under prescription after completing a radiography qualification.
Set up a quiet appointment list to help nervous patients attend.
Managed stock for two surgeries, cutting wasted out-of-date materials.
Dental Nurse CV questions
Do I need to be GDC registered to work as a dental nurse?
To work as a qualified dental nurse in the UK, yes. Trainees can work while they are enrolled on a recognised qualification, under supervision.
What extra qualifications should a dental nurse put on a CV?
Any post-registration qualifications, such as radiography, oral health education, impression taking or sedation nursing. They show you can take on extended duties.
How do I write a trainee dental nurse CV?
Lead with your enrolment on a dental nursing course, then any healthcare, reception or customer service experience. Show you are reliable, careful and good with people.