Whether providing chairside clinical support or welcoming patients at reception, these roles are essential to delivering safe, compassionate and efficient care. We asked members of our teams to share insights into their daily routines, favourite moments and advice for those thinking about joining the profession.
No two days are ever the same, which is something I really love about dental nursing. My day usually starts with preparing the surgery, making sure everything is ready for patients and the clinician. From assisting during treatments to supporting patients, managing clinical and compliance tasks, and using my post-qualifications where possible, I check in on my team and mentor our Trainee Dental Nurses. It's a role that’s busy and very hands-on but so rewarding.
My favourite part of the day is seeing patients leave feeling reassured and cared for. Many people feel anxious about dental visits, so being able to offer empathy, reassurance, and support and seeing the difference that makes my job feel so rewarding. I love being able to use my post-qualifications, such as Oral Health Education, by making patients feel more confident by improving their oral health and promoting a good oral hygiene routine.
As a dental nurse, I work closely with dentists, hygienists, therapists, and reception staff to make sure patients feel supported from the moment they arrive. Good communication and trust within the team help appointments run smoothly and allow us to provide the best possible care.
Strong communication skills, attention to detail, and empathy are key. Being organised, adaptable, and calm under pressure also makes a big difference. A genuine passion for learning is important too — dentistry is always evolving, and post-qualifications allow us to grow and expand our skills.
Definitely go for it if you enjoy working with people and want a career where you can really make a difference. Dental nursing offers so many opportunities for development, progression, and specialisation. Be open to learning, and remember that confidence grows with experience. It was the best decision I made, and I will never look back!
A typical day as a dental nurse is fast-paced and hands-on. Mornings start with preparing surgeries, setting up instruments, and reviewing appointments. Throughout the day, I support the dentist chairside, reassure patients, and keep everything running smoothly. Between procedures, I’m cleaning, sterilising, updating records, and resetting rooms. At the end of the day, the surgery is cleaned down and the next day is prepared—ready to do it all again.
My favourite part of my day is being hands-on with patients and being at the assistance of the dentist. I learn something new every day with each individual patient, and I love being able to be a comfort for patients when they are in the chairs.
I work closely with the wider team to create a calm, supportive experience for patients. By communicating clearly with the dentist, hygienist, and reception staff, the nurse helps appointments run smoothly and efficiently. Chairside, I anticipate the dentist’s needs while offering reassurance to patients, explaining procedures in simple terms, and responding quickly to concerns. This teamwork ensures patients feel cared for, informed, and confident from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave.
My role requires a blend of practical skills and personal qualities to thrive. Strong communication and teamwork are essential, along with keen attention to detail and excellent organisation. A calm, reassuring manner helps put patients at ease, while adaptability and resilience are key in a fast-paced clinical setting. Above all, professionalism, compassion, and a commitment to high standards of care underpin everything a dental nurse does.
If you’re considering a career as a dental nurse, come prepared for busy days, lots of teamwork, and the occasional awkward conversation about flossing! A sense of humour will take you far—along with comfy shoes, a calm head under pressure, and a genuine love for helping people. If you enjoy practical work, friendly banter, and the satisfaction of making a real difference to someone’s day.
My day usually starts by getting the surgery ready, setting everything up, checking instruments, and making sure we’re stocked and good to go. Once patients start coming in, I’m assisting the dentist during treatments, passing instruments, and making sure patients are comfortable. There’s also cleaning down, sterilising equipment, and helping out wherever needed. It’s busy, but the day flies by.
Definitely the patients. I love helping nervous patients feel more relaxed and chatting to people throughout the day. It’s really nice when someone comes in anxious and leaves feeling much better. Working with a good team also makes the job enjoyable.
We work really closely as a team. Good communication is key—whether that’s with the dentist, hygienist, or reception staff. Everyone plays their part to make sure patients feel looked after from the moment they walk in to when they leave.
You need to be organised, friendly, and good with people. Staying calm under pressure is a big one, as well as being a good team player. Attention to detail is important too, especially when it comes to infection control and patient safety.
Go for it if you enjoy working with people and don’t mind being busy. It’s a hands-on role, and you’re always learning. My advice would be to ask lots of questions, get stuck in, and not be afraid to learn on the job—everyone starts somewhere.
As head receptionist I am responsible for ensuring the reception is clean and welcoming for all our patients and the reception team are presentable. I then spend the day ensuring our patients are seen on time, treatment plans are signed and understood, payments are taken and future appointments are pre-booked. I also offer support for the other receptionists and help the nurses where I can. I ensure the phone calls and emails are answered quickly and queries are dealt with in a timely manner; I also make sure patients confirm their appointments and complete the relevant NHS forms to keep our FTA rates to a minimum. At the end of the day, I ensure all reports are followed and the cashing up is correct.
I enjoy helping our patients and providing them with a high standard of customer service. I try to go above and beyond for patients who require extra assistance to ensure they feel welcomed and have had the best patient journey we can offer. I enjoy organising and ensuring lab work is sent and received in time for upcoming appointments. I also really enjoy putting together kids' clubs and information displays for treatments and services we offer; this ensures patients are aware of our services, for example, Denplan, and that children can come in for kids' club and feel comfortable and confident to have their check-ups. I also enjoy liaising with the surrounding practices when receiving referrals and keeping patients updated on their status.
I work really well with the other receptionist; we work as a team and communicate well, providing a smooth patient journey. I am very happy to deal with the more complex queries to take the pressure off them and always offer them support and guidance.
I am very friendly and have gained lots of dental knowledge over the last few years, so I feel I can talk with patients confidently. I have made a good, memorable impression with the patients and regularly receive good feedback.
I would advise being confident, approachable and friendly; if they are unsure of a situation or query, they should always ask for help. Learning about dental treatments will also benefit them in understanding patients' questions.
A typical day is incredibly busy checking patients in and out, taking payments and booking appointments. There is a constant flow of calls, messages and emails to answer, along with general enquiries from patients and staff at the practice. Post and banking are also dealt with promptly.
Has to be seeing a happy smile makeover patient beaming as they leave but also the end-of-day tally where all transactions line up to all invoices.
We work together as a team communicating or relaying information between patients and the clinical team or dental lab to facilitate the patient throughout the practice.
You will need to be friendly with great communication skills and have empathy and patience. Good organising, calculation and time management are essential to keep on track too.
I would say it’s genuinely rewarding helping people and supporting a team who are all passionate about what they do, so go for it!
A typical day is incredibly busy checking patients in and out, taking payments and booking appointments. There is a constant flow of calls, messages and emails to answer, along with general enquiries from patients and staff at the practice. Post and banking are also dealt with promptly.
Has to be seeing a happy smile makeover patient beaming as they leave but also the end-of-day tally where all transactions line up to all invoices.
We work together as a team communicating or relaying information between patients and the clinical team or dental lab to facilitate the patient throughout the practice.
You will need to be friendly with great communication skills and have empathy and patience. Good organising, calculation and time management are essential to keep on track too.
I would say it’s genuinely rewarding helping people and supporting a team who are all passionate about what they do, so go for it!
Their experiences highlight how rewarding and people-focused these careers can be, offering opportunities for growth, development and meaningful patient interaction. If you’re considering a career in dentistry and want to be part of a supportive team, visit our Careers page to discover current opportunities at Rodericks Dental Partners.
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