Vikki Clarke
Practice Educator - Dental Nursing
level:UG;top_up:false;international:true;foundation:true;clearing:false;full_time:true;part_time:false;start_month:September;location:Waterside
Dental Nursing FdSc
Key Facts
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UCAS Code
B750
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Duration
2 years Full time
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DD at A Level
MPP at BTEC -
Full Time: £9,535
Updated 03/12/2025
Updated 03/12/2025
Get in touch
UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES
study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES
Overview
The Foundation Degree Dental Nursing (FdSc) course provides you with a wide range of academic skills and work-related competencies and on successful completion of the award, you will be able to apply for registration with the General Dental Council (GDC). The course links theory to practice, supported through underpinning knowledge, work-based clinical skills, and placement options each year.
Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them! We’ll support you to identify your skills, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs, or further study, you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd.
For overall student positivity in the National Student Survey 2025
Overall in the general nursing subject area
For Satisfied with Feedback for General Nursing
NSS Calculations are based on Office for Students (OfS) data from the average positivity score. Guardian Data from the 2026 General Nursing Subject table.
Accreditation
The Foundation Degree in Dental Nursing (FdScDN) at the University of Northampton (UON) is approved by the General Dental Council (GDC). The programme has been fully mapped to the GDC’s Safe Practitioner Framework (2023), ensuring that every element of teaching, assessment, and clinical practice meets the standards required for safe, effective dental nursing practice.
This alignment means that, by the end of the course, you can be confident you’ve achieved all the necessary learning outcomes for GDC registration. Once registered, you’ll be able to work as a dental nurse in practice and have a strong foundation to progress your career across the wider dental profession and beyond.
Highlights
- Leads to the General Dental Council (GDC) registration.
- Uses General Dental Council Standards for the Dental Team (2013) and the General Dental Council (2015) through learning.
- Range of work placements in dental environments.
- HP laptop and software included with this course for eligible students* (*see eligibility criteria and terms and conditions).
An example of the dental tools used by students in placement at Northampton General Hospital.
A group seminar
In dental nursing, there are practical practice sessions using the tools in demo scenarios
The Specialist Observation room allows academics and others to watch students in scenarios, using the skills and knowledge they have built up from the degree.
The camera control equipment used in the observation suite
Manikin are used in session to help students develop their skills.
The hand washing scanner helps students understand the importance of hygiene.
Specialist labs and simulations suites allow students to have hands-on experience.
Entry Requirements
A typical offer would be:
- DD at A Level or,
- MPP at BTEC/Cambridge Technical or,
- Pass (D or E) at T Level or,
- NVQ Level 3 (any subject)
We welcome applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications.
In addition, you will need to have achieved:
- GCSE in English Language (or equivalent) at grade C/4 or above.
All offers of a place on the programme made to applicants will be conditional subject to:
- a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check;
- a satisfactory occupational health check.
Occupational Health Clearance:
All healthcare students are required to undertake a standard Occupational Health Clearance which will assess your health and immunisation record and assess your fitness for the programme you have chosen. Courses such as midwifery, dental nursing and paramedic science also require an enhanced Occupational Health clearance and appropriate immunisation to undertake exposed prone procedures (EPP). Without the enhanced occupational health clearance your ability to attend some clinical placements/activities in Trust areas may be limited or refused, causing delays with course progression and employment.
Further information for healthcare students can be seen through the following link (appendix 1) Green Book: Chapter 12 Immunisation of healthcare and laboratory staff.
For information on how to apply to study with us, please see our How to Apply page.
All EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:
- IELTS 7.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 7.0 in all bands for study at undergraduate level.
What You'll Learn
This course has been designed to contribute towards achieving the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: SDG3 of Good Health and Wellbeing and SDG5 Gender Equality.
You will understand the key competencies required to work safely as a registered dental nurse and on completion of the course, you will be able to put these into practice confidently. Our Dental Nursing course encourages the holistic care and treatment of dental patients and supports you in expanding your knowledge so that you are prepared for a career in Dental Nursing.
The course is designed to recognise the increasing need for theory linked to practice, which is supported through applying the General Dental Council’s The Safe Practitioner Framework (2025) and the General Dental Council Standards (2013) for Dental Nurses.
You will be given a solid foundation of positive knowledge, skills and attitudes that will underpin your personal and professional development.
The purpose of this module is to teach the students the necessary skills to enable them to work safely in the clinical environment.
The purpose of this module is to provide students with a positive foundation on which to base their professional practice in accordance with the General Dental Council (GDC) requirements for registrationPersonal growth that values self and others will be integral to their overall development.
The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the regional anatomy of the oral cavity, head and neck specific to dental nursing and to provide students with an understanding of the aetiology and progression of basic pathological process related to oral tissues, related to patient care.
The purpose of this module is to provide students with the theoretical knowledge of an array of dental treatments using an evidence-based approach to support effective patient care.
Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 25/26. The modules relating to the academic year 26/27 will be available from June 2026.
At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.
If you join our full-time Dental Nursing degree at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.
Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.
To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.
* UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details)
How will I be assessed?
There are various assessment methods, these include:
- Examinations
- Viva voce
- Clinical simulated tests
- Presentations
- Assignments
- Electronic clinical portfolio.
Fees and Funding
2025/26 Tuition Fees
- UK – Full Time: £9,535
- International – Full Time: £16,700*
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2025/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years. UON will adjust UK fees annually in line with Government Policy.
*International Fee only open to students that are already residing in the UK and do not require CAS
For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.
- Travel costs to and from placements, and extra costs associated with placements, may be incurred throughout your studies depending on where you are based.
- Each student is issued 3 sets of uniforms, but any additional sets will need to be purchased by the student.
- Black leather shoes, black socks.
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
- UK – Full Time: £9,250
Staff
Moira Richardson
Practice Educator - Dental Nursing
Careers and Employability
On completion of the Foundation Degree in Dental Nursing and registration with the General Dental Council (GDC) allows you to practice as a registered dental care professional within the United Kingdom. For further information visit the NHS careers website.
Extended duties to include:
- Dental radiography, Oral hygiene education, Dental sedation, Special care dental nursing, Impression Taking, Fluoride Application.
Facilities
Learning Hub
The Learning Hub is at the heart of the campus and home to the student information desk.
View Facility
