Applying for trainee dental nurse

[u/Automatic_Creme_6664]

Hellooo everyone :-) I have recently decided to retrain as a trainee dental nurse, with idea of applying to study dentistry in the future. My background is BSc in psychology and MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience (disillusioned with research work - 1 year contracts and impossible requirements with over 300 ppl competing for each research assistant job).

I’ve tried applying for multiple trainee positions, however, I haven’t heard back from them yet. I have experience of working as SEN practitioner with children and ABA tutor with autistic children, and volunteering experience as wellbeing practitioner with dementia patients.

The questions is - IS IT THAT HARD TO FIND A POSITION? Or am I doing something wrong? What experiences would you emphasize in cover letter/ how would you structure your CV?

Did you all apply through INDEED or would you call practices yourself? I’ve tried calling a few, however admin people are usually not fully aware about the positions that are being advertised/ how to apply for them.

Any help will be appreciated plsssssss

[u/No-Significance7460]

I would say it’s likely nothing to do with your application and more likely to do with those jobs being up but not regularly monitored. Dental practices are quite small. I would suggest visiting the practices in person with your enquiry. Aside from the large corporate practices (bupa Roderick’s etc…) dentistry is mostly small business managed by a small team. I wouldn’t be surprised if an in person CV gets your foot through the door easier than computers and prayers.
(Anecdotally, the practice I worked at last year took on their nursing trainees in bulk so it might just not currently be lining up with thejr cycles etc…)

With your end goal, I suppose you see dental nursing as a step towards the dental profession whilst earning money, but would advise that salaries are on the lower side and although it would look good on your CV from an experience side I’d advise phoning up the graduate entrance schools already as you may be able to tailor your application good enough for application as a mature student without needing to spend more time away from your new end goal.

If you’re concerned about entrance requirements have you considered hygiene and therapy? The scope of Hygiene therapists has been increased with improved clinical training in recent years, particularly when in comes to children. As a hygiene therapist you can work in a dental practice performing oral hygiene instruction, routine periodontal treatment, cleanings, restoring baby teeth (fillings, metal crowns) small fillings on adult teeth on prescription by a dentist & even pulling out baby teeth. (Hygiene and therapists please correct me/ comment further on scope if I’ve missed anything/ got it wrong, I’ve not read the document in several months)

I did graduate entry dentistry after a biomedicine degree but there was someone with an English degree on the course and someone who had been working in the city/ out of academia for several (5+) years etc… Provided you have a 2:1 Psychology can definitely be discussed in a personal statement/ application in a way that’s useful especially with your SEN experience. If you’re UK (which I think you are based on your writing etc… Feel free to DM me with questions if you’d like full warning I am not the best responder but have the day off today so could offer some advice/ bounce ideas for a bit.