Can anyone describe the work/role of a dental nurse? Salary?!

Can anyone describe the work/role of a dental nurse? Salary?

1 month ago
Thanks for first four answers which are of considerable help. To help others answer, it is in Ireland. I have been offered training by a practice who will employ me. I am a qualified nurse already but not a dental nurse. The role appears similar but more specific obviously. Is it a stressful job?

A dental nurse/assistant is the dentists second pair of Eyes-Ears and Hands, and you are there to assist the dentist with all aspects of chairside dentistry, from charting, mixing materials, developing xrays-unless you are a qualified D/N and hold the certificate for Radiography for D/N you are not allowed by law in the UK to take xrays yourself, you are only permitted to develop them.
Surgery duties include having the surgery ready for the arrival of patients and having the correct instruments laid out and you have everything you need for each patient, your job is also to act as a chaparone, so you cannot leave the dentist alone with any patient, which is why it's important to have everyhing you need before each patient arrives!
I've been a D/N nurse for more years than i care to remember and love it, i dont think i could ever see myself doing anything else, i do this job 5 days a week and yet im finding it a struggle to describe the role to a T!
Salary is based on experience and qualifactions, i hold the national certificate for D/N and am also a qualified Oral Health Educator.
If your thinking about becoming a D/N give it a go, just bear in mind by July 2008 every D/N will have to be registered with the GDC and will require you to have sat and passed either the National Exam or the NVQ Exam.
Sorry this hasn't given you a great insight into what we do but i hope it's been of some help!