A Day in the Life of a Dental Nurse
Ever wondered what a dental nurse gets up to during the day? Spoiler alert: there’s a lot more to it than passing instruments!
From suctioning and preparing the surgery to working as a team and having a laugh along the way, no two days are ever the same at Boroughbridge Dental Centre.
- 🧼Set upSurgery ready for the first patient
- 🦷AssistSuction, instruments and materials
- 🔄ResetClean, sterilise and restock
- 😄LaughGreat team, plenty of smiles
● Suction, teamwork and a little bit of chaos!
A dental nurse is the dentist’s right-hand person. We keep the suction going, pass instruments, mix materials and try to stay one step ahead of what the dentist needs next.
It takes teamwork, quick thinking and sometimes a little mind-reading!
“You soon learn that a dentist can ask for something with just a look, a nod or a very muffled sentence from behind a mask”.
And let’s not forget suctioning! It might not sound glamorous, but good suction helps keep the treatment area clear and makes life easier for everyone in the surgery. It takes practice, concentration and knowing where to be at the right time.
● Getting everything ready
Between patients, there is plenty to do. Before the next person sits in the chair, we:
Our between-patient checklist
- ✓Clean and disinfect the surgery
- ✓Process and sterilise instruments
- ✓Restock materials
- ✓Set up for the next appointment
We work together with the whole team, such as our dentists, hygieniene therapists and reception, to keep the day running smoothly. Sometimes things get a little hectic, but a good team knows how to help each other out.
And of course, there is always time for a laugh! Whether it’s a funny moment in surgery, a joke between appointments or a much-needed tea break, having a great team makes even the busiest days better.
● More than just passing instruments
Being a dental nurse is about much more than clinical skills. We help patients feel comfortable, support the dentist throughout treatment and make sure everyone feels looked after.
Some patients arrive feeling nervous, so a friendly smile and a reassuring chat can make all the difference. If that sounds like you, take a look at how we support nervous patients.
Every day brings something different. One minute we might be assisting with a routine check-up, and the next we could be helping with a longer treatment. You have to be:
- Organised
- Adaptable
- Ready for anything!
It can be busy, messy and occasionally chaotic, but that is all part of the fun. Most importantly, we get to work together to give our patients the best possible experience.
Follow us behind the scenes!
Want to see what really goes on at Boroughbridge Dental Centre? We love sharing little glimpses of life behind the scenes, introducing our team and showing you what happens beyond the dental chair.
Team moments, practice updates, dental tips and plenty more. We might spend our days suctioning, passing instruments and keeping the surgeries running, but there is always room for a laugh along the way!
Fancy meeting the team in person?
