Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Scheduling Work and Activities Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

The Work

A dental nurse's main duties include infection control, chair-side assistance, preparation and maintenance of the dental surgery, and patient care.  
 
While a patient is being treated the dental nurse passes materials and instruments to the dentist, as they are required. They also prepare fillings and dressings if they are needed and process any X-rays that are taken.  
 
They sterilise instruments and are responsible for making sure that a constant supply of clean instruments are available. They are also responsible for the general hygiene of the surgery.  
 
General administrative and office work, such as filing, is also part of their remit.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Prepare patient, sterilise or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.
• Record treatment information in patient records.
• Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies.
• Order and monitor dental supplies and equipment inventory.
• Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.
• Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist.
• Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs.
• Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients.
• Apply protective coating of fluoride to teeth.
• Schedule appointments, prepare bills and receive payment for dental services, complete insurance forms, and maintain records, manually or using computer.

Further Information

• Dental Nurse / Assistant - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Ther are many pathways into Dentistry and allied dental support. Entry to courses can be competitive - if you have qualifications and experience above the minimum, it may be to your advantage. There are a number of different pathways to prepare you for a career in nursing.  All of these entry routes also apply to Mature Entrants.

Further Education & Training development pathway

FET Centre Traineeship: Dental Nursing, Management in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 6 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Dental Nursing at NFQ Levels 5 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: There are no apprenticeships currently in this occupational area. 

Higher Education CAO Entry: Dental Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Dental Science NFQ Levels 6-8 Search our CAO coursefinder

Postgraduate Study Options Dental Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Dental Science NFQ level 9 Search post graduate courses

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €29k - €58k

Salaries vary by employer (private/ state), role, duties, location, and experience. 

Data Source(s):
HSE/ Indeed/ Payscale

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment growth was strong for this occupation, particularly between 2021 and 2022. Census data shows that employment grew across all roles in this group between 2016 and 2022, with the strongest growth for pharmaceutical technicans.

The number of online job adverts for pharmaceutical technicians grew strongly in 2022 (+14%); skills in demand included, among others pharmaceutical knowledge, the ability to provide customer service & advice, and business skills, such as product sales.

A small number of employment permits were issued in 2022 for cardiac physiologists and paramedics. The available data sources do not signal any issues in relation to supply and demand for health associate professional occupations; however, if employment was to continue to increase, recruitment issues may emerge.

• Irish Dental Nurses Association (IDNA)

  • IDNA Secretary & President - Dublin Dental University Hospital, Lincoln Place. Dublin 2
  • 087 6767500
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Dublin Dental University Hospital

  • Trinity College Dublin, Lincoln Place, Dublin 2.
  • (01) 612 7391
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Dental Association

  • Unit 2, Leopardstown Office Park, Sandyford, Dublin 18
  • (01) 295 0072
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Dental Health Foundation Ireland

  • PO Box 12343Dublin 2
  • (01) 672 8870
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Health Service Executive (HSE)

  • Dr Steevens' Hospital, Steevens Lane, Dublin, 8
  • 041 685 0300
  • Click Here

• Dental Council of Ireland

  • 57 Merrion Square, Dublin 2
  • (01) 676 2069
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Cork University Dental School and Hospital

  • Wilton,Cork
  • (021) 4901100
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• National Dental Nurse Training Programme of Ireland

  • Dublin Dental Hospital, TCD, Lincoln Place, Dublin, 2
  • 01 612 7315
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Dental Jobs

  • 52 Delvin Banks, Naul, Co Dublin
  • (01) 8494070
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here