The development of an alternative route to registration for dental nurses was approved at the General Dental Council meeting on September 2nd.

‘Access to Registration Training’ (ART) should give a second chance to dental nurses who are unable to satisfy the requirement for four years' experience.

Under the new proposals, dental nurses will be able to gain statutory registration during the transitional period provided they have a minimum of two years' experience plus satisfactory proof of competence in:

  • Infection control procedures

  • CPR, medical emergencies and common dental emergencies

  • Health and Safety

  • Ionising Radiation

  • Working with dentists and patients

Dental nurses must have at least two years' full-time experience or the part-time equivalent of 500 working days to fulfil the requirements.

The GDC says further work needs to be done to develop proposals for establishing competence.

Full information on the new route will be provided in the Winter issue of Vital magazine.