The National Examining Board for Dental Nurses (NEBDN) has announced that it has released a newly regulated qualification - the Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing. The qualification is regulated by Ofqual in England, and the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment (CCEA) in Northern Ireland, and covers all the Learning Outcomes in the General Dental Council (GDC) Safe Practitioner Framework for Dental Nurses. This makes it a secure option for trainee dental nurses looking to qualify in this field. The qualification attracts UCAS points for those wishing to progress to higher education and is assessed via an online portfolio, knowledge test and professional discussion.

Alongside the launch of their new Diploma product, NEBDN has also revised their Apprenticeship qualification to include requirements from the GDC Safe Practitioner Framework. Trainee dental nurses will be able to register on their chosen qualification, as of 1 July 2025.

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Team photo of celebration launch party at NEBDN's Preston Head Office

Kate Kerslake, CEO at NEBDN, said: ‘This is a huge milestone for NEBDN and we're very proud as a team to reach this point.'

The Level 3 Diploma is a replacement to the former NEBDN National Diploma, although the previous National Diploma will still be delivered and assessed to allow learners to complete this version for anyone registered before 1 July 2025.

NEBDN offering a regulated Diploma enhances the previous product, as the regulated version has additional benefits such as potential funding avenues, attracting UCAS points and being recognised by key regulators such as Ofqual and CCEA. NEBDN offering this product provides an exciting opportunity for the Awarding Organisation as it allows them scope to expand into new regions and attract new training providers, to support the ever-growing workforce of dental nurses and ensuring that they enter the dental profession with the appropriate knowledge and skills.

More information on these updates can be found on NEBDN's website www.nebdn.org.