NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice of Dental Nursing

Overview

NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice of Dental Nursing at StarGreenwich Education “SGDU” requires training in the workplace, and thus a placement at a dental surgery is necessary. It covers all the GDC Learning Outcomes and Skills for Health National Occupational Standards (NOS). Upon completion, it will enable learners to apply for registration with the GDC. It can also be taken as part of the Advanced Apprenticeship in Health (Dental Nursing) in Wales. It is not suitable for the Apprenticeship Standard in England. Learners wishing to take the qualification as part of the Apprenticeship Standard in England should select the Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice of Dental Nursing (Integrated Apprenticeship).

Students can find their own placement or can alternatively use the services of the SGEDU recruitment team. Training in the workplace should ideally be 16 hours per week with the balance of learning completed in the classroom. The combination of theory and chair-side practice results in considerably higher pass marks and well-grounded future dental care professionals. We highly recommend 24 hours to gain in-depth experience in working within NHS or Private surgery.

Regular clinical assessments are carried out in the work placement and are overseen by Our qualified assessors from the SGEDU. Further to the clinical assessments, two multiple choice exams must be completed. Short assignments must be written throughout the duration of the CACHE course, and in stark contrast to the NEBDN diploma that has two set times for exams, tests and exams occur frequently. With CACHE we can allocate your exams throughout the year.

• Total Qualification Time (Hours)

  490

• Guided Learning Hours

  366

• Credit Value

  48

• Rules of Combination

  Learners must achieve 49 credits from the 17 mandatory units. All observations must be fully achieved and learners must achieve a *pass, merit or distinction in the two external assessment tests (part 1 and part 2) covering the underpinning knowledge across units DN 12-16. There is no compensation between units, or between observations and unit tasks within a unit.
  * Learners are permitted to re-sit each MCQ assessment test twice more either because they failed or to improve their grade.

• Grading System

  This qualification is graded pass, merit or distinction* across two external assessment tests. The tests are externally set and externally marked. The assessments will be online and on-demand.
  * Learners are permitted to re-sit each MCQ assessment test twice more either because they failed or to improve their grade.

  MCQ Part 1: 50 marks (covering units DN 12, 13 and 14)
  MCQ Part 2: 50 marks (covering units DN 15 and 16)

  Grade

  In each MCQ test (nominal marks)

  Points allocation

  Pass

  30 – 37 marks

  1

  Merit

  38 – 44 marks

  3

  Distinction

  45 – 50 marks

  5

  Qualification grade

  –

  Pass

  Merit

  Dinstinction

  Points

  2

  4-6

  8-10

• Recommended Assessment Methods

  Units DN 1 – DN 11 and unit UFAE are internally assessed, and units DN 12- DN 16 are both internally and externally assessed.

  A recommended range of assessment methods has been identified for the units in the Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice of Dental Nursing qualification. This gives the opportunity for different learning styles and individual needs of learners to be taken into account.

  Methods include:
  • *Direct observation (by a qualified Assessor who is a GDC registrant and meets our assessment principles)
  • Professional discussion
  • *Reflective accounts (Learner log or reflective diary)
  • Written and pictorial information
  • Optional Task set by us for knowledge learning outcomes/underpinning knowledge for skills learning outcomes)
  • Oral questions and answers
  • Expert witness evidence (Units DN5, 9 and 10)

  *Mandatory assessment method
  For the full list of assessment methods and descriptors for Assessors, please see Section 2 of the Assessment Specification.

• Additional Assessment Methods

  All units must be assessed in line with our Assessment Principles.

  Unit UFAE must be assessed in line with Skills for Health document Skills for Health First Aid Assessment Principles.

  Please refer to the following specifications for documents tobe used when assessing the learner, these include:

  Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice of Dental Nursing Qualification Specification:

  Mandatory documents:
  • Clinical Experience Weekly Record (Appendix I)
  • Clinical Experience Monthly Record (Appendix J)
  • Sign up for External Assessment Tests (Appendix M)

  Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice of Dental Nursing Unit and Task Specification:
  • Optional assessment tasks

  Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice of Dental Nursing Assessment Specification:
  • Optional task marking guidelines
  • Observation marking templates
  • Expert witness templates (where applicable).

What does this qualification cover?

The qualification focuses on direct chair-side work and support during a range of dental treatments. It encompasses the underpinning ethics, professionalism, teamwork and communication required to work as a dental nurse.

Who is it suitable for?

All those who wish to work as a dental nurse or trainee dental nurse and who wish to obtain a dental nursing qualification leading to GDC registration.

What are the entry requirements?

Learners should be at least 16 years old. It is the Centre’s responsibility to ensure that learners have the necessary underpinning knowledge before entering a placement/the workplace. We do not set any other entry requirements but colleges or training providers may have their own guidelines.

Do you need to be working to take this qualification?

Learners will need to be working or on practical placement to be able to show competence in both knowledge and skills. It is recommended that a minimum of 16 hours per week be spent in a real work environment.

After your studies – career progression

After completing NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice of Dental Nursing at SGEDU, applicants can start practice as a registered dental nurse in any dental practice in the UK. Dental nurses can progress to a range of qualifications in the following areas to:

• specialist dental nursing roles
• dental hygiene or therapy
• dental technology
• teaching dental nursing
• dental practice management