Barnfield College Luton is launching a foundation degree in dental nursing and a new dental nurse cadet programme. The go-ahead is subject to university validation and accreditation by the General Dental Council (GDC). Angie McBain, the lead tutor and President-elect of the British Association of Dental Nurses said, ‘The part-time foundation degree, over two calendar years, is being taught at Barnfield with the degree awarded by the University of Bedfordshire. It will allow dental nurses to become more involved with patient care – undertaking x-rays, oral health, education and smoking prevention. The two-year cadet course will include a GCSE in physiology and health, an AS level in biology and a foundation certificate for oral health promotion. On successful completion of the cadet programme, students will be qualified dental nurses eligible for registration with the GDC.’
Ms McBain added that the foundation degree would further develop the skills of qualified dental nurses and provide a possible career pathway to other areas of dentistry and health care.
Both courses start in September with the initial intakes expected to be between 12-15 students. Much of the training will be undertaken at the college's brand-new dental unit which features a fitted surgery. Apart from Barnfield's team of dental nurse tutors, outside experts will be brought in for part of the courses.
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Luton gets go-ahead. Vital 4, 9 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/vital586
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/vital586
