A pioneering dental nurse cadet scheme in Oldham, Greater Manchester, has celebrated the success of its second batch of student graduates .
An awards evening was held earlier in the month for the 13 students who achieved qualifications in oral health care support NVQ level 2, NVQ Level 3 Dental Nursing . The graduates also covered key skills including first aid, counselling, employment rights and responsibilities.
The award-winning scheme has helped Oldham buck the national trend for a shortage of qualified dental nurses by providing the borough's dental surgeries with trainees over the past four years.
The initiative is part of a national drive to attract more young people to careers in NHS dentistry and to develop a recognised training path for dental nurses prior to professional registration.
Under the two-year apprenticeship scheme, cadets spend the first eight weeks studying at The Oldham College, and then four days a week working alongside dentists in surgeries across Oldham, with day release for college.
Julie Jones, member of the Oldham Community Health Services and co-ordinator of the scheme said: "The scheme works extremely well, young people are interested in developing careers in dentistry and dentists have been keen to secure permanent positions at the end of the apprenticeship period. It is an important part of making sure there are enough dental nurses in the borough."
Tony Spencer from The Oldham College added: "The dental nurse cadet scheme is a great initiative and we have been pleased to assist in the training."
"It has boosted the provision of dental nurses in Oldham and helped the career prospects and confidence and skills of the cadets."
