EPA Standard
Dental Nurse v1.1
Dental nurses support dental professionals during procedures and help maintain high standards of cleanliness and infection control. They prepare instruments, mix materials, sterilise equipment, manage stock, keep records and ensure patients feel safe and comfortable throughout their visit. Dental nurses work in a range of clinical settings, including NHS and private practices, hospitals, specialist clinics, community services and military dental clinics.
Level 3 
£6,000 
18 months
Why NCFE?
We’re an approved End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) specialising in EPA delivery across health, education, early years, digital, social care, and business apprenticeship standards. We offer flexible and reliable EPA solutions supported by sector expertise, guidance documents and proactive service and support.
Entry: apprentices will undergo all the checks as per the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements to ensure suitability to work with children.
End-point assessment
The EPA for Dental Nurse contains two methods of assessment:
Observation in Practice
The Observation will last for 60 minutes (plus or minus 10% at the discretion of the Independent End-Point Assessor [IEPA]) and will take place in the apprentice’s place of work. Apprentices must evidence all of the knowledge, skills and behaviours identified in the assessment plan. Some of the criteria may be assessed in a 10 minute Question and Answer session at the end of the Observation.
Grading: the Observation in Practice is graded as Fail or Pass by the IEPA.
Professional Discussion
The Professional Discussion is a structured discussion of 40 minutes (plus or minus 10% at the discretion of the IEPA), following the Observation in Practice, which will assess the knowledge, skills and behaviours identified in the assessment plan. The Professional Discussion will be based around a scenario which will be given to the apprentice 30 minutes prior to the discussion to allow them to make preparation notes.
Grading: the Professional Discussion is graded as Fail, Pass or Distinction by the IEPA.