Celebrating success of the Modern Apprenticeship in Dental Nursing

Celebrating success of the Modern Apprenticeship in Dental Nursing

Current and former modern apprentice (MA) dental nurses got together with NES dental staff and stakeholders to share their experiences and to mark Scottish Apprenticeship Week.

Delegates from Skills Development Scotland and NHS Tayside came along to meet colleagues from the NES Dental’s Dental Care Professionals (DCP) workstream at Dundee Dental Education Centre on Monday 3 March.

Scottish Apprenticeship Week celebrates the benefits apprenticeships bring to individuals, businesses, and the economy. 

NES is contracted as a training provider by Skills Development Scotland. The DCP workstream deliver an annual blended learning programme, so that trainee dental nurses can ‘learn while they earn’ to achieve the modern apprenticeship as part of their pre-registration training.

Lee Savarrio, Director of Dentistry said:

“This is an exciting opportunity to share how the Modern Apprenticeship in Dental Nursing supports the development of individuals who are interested in pursuing a career as a Dental Nurse. It’s also great to hear how working in partnership ensures a positive learning experience and outcome for apprentices, overall contributing to the safe and effective delivery of patient care.”

Caroline Taylor, Associate Postgraduate Dental Dean said:

“In NES, we support the creation and the development of the dental nurse workforce, through a learner centred pathway. This goes from the MA at the start of their careers, to providing post registration training to support their professional development as a registered dental nurse.   We aim to build a nurturing environment so that our learners have a positive learning experience and get the most out of their careers as a dental nurse.”

Shellie Montgomery, Apprenticeship Programme Manager, at Skills Development Scotland has been working with colleagues from NES to redesign the Modern Apprenticeship in Dental Nursing. She said:

“Over the last eight months I've met some incredible individuals who are unbelievably passionate about dental nursing, and who have given so much of their time, expertise and knowledge to redesign the Apprenticeship. As part of #ScotAppWeek25 , I took the opportunity to visit the Dundee Dental Education Centre - to not only meet the next generation of dental nurses – who are truly inspirational - but to thank NES colleagues for their relentless support”.

Chair of Skills Development Scotland, Frank Mitchell, said:

“Created in collaboration with industry, Scottish apprenticeships help employers build a skilled and diverse workforce. Designed by employers, apprenticeships foster innovation, economic growth, and new opportunities.

Apprenticeships also provide great social return, by giving opportunities of enduring careers for many young people from Scotland’s most deprived areas.”

More information on Scottish Apprenticeship Week Scottish Apprenticeship Week - Made for Business. 

Pictured, from left to right: Shellie Montgomery Programme Development Manager SDS, Lee Savarrio NES Director of Dentistry, Diana Allan Registered Dental Nurse, Margaret Paul NES Dental Educator, and Dental Nurse Modern Apprentices Eva Aitchison, Emily Biggans, Mollie Watts.