MEDICAL SERVICES Dental Nurse CURRENTLY RECRUITING

As an RAF Dental Nurse, you will work alongside our dentists and dental hygienists, providing key support and ensuring patients receive the highest level of treatment.

Learn more about this role

Pay During First Six Months £16,800+ + Benefits

Pay Until Completion Of Phase Two Training* £21,400+ + Benefits

Please Note: This role is recruiting for a potential training year 23/24 intake.

Apply as a Regular


Is this for you?

APPLICANTS MUST:

  • Be aged 17 – 47 years old (Must attest before 48th birthday)
  • GCSE at Grade C/4-5 or SCE Standard Grades at Grade 2/Scottish National 5 in English Language
  • Qualified Dental Nurses need to have current General Dental Council (GDC) registration. You will also need to have Enhanced DBS clearance. If Unqualified you must fully research the training pathway leading to the NEBDN Diploma in dental nursing, the General Dental Council (GDC) Standards and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) before attending the specialist interview.
  • Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth
  • Unqualified Dental Nurse commit to minimum 3 years’ service post Phase Two Training
  • Meet the health and fitness criteria
  • Pass the Defence Aptitude Assessment
  • Pass a General Fitness Test

GREAT FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN:

  • Helping people
  • Travelling the world
  • Aircraft

VIEW ALL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

TYPICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Select and prepare fillings and impression materials
  • Cast the models on which dentures or appliances are constructed
  • Select, prepare and maintain dental equipment

As a Dental Nurse you have an essential role in our team providing key support to the dental practice in multiple areas; the selection, preparation and maintenance of instruments and equipment, selection and preparation of filling and impression materials, casting models on which dentures or appliances are constructed, preparing the surgery for the delivery of treatment, managing paper and computerised dental records, order and maintain stocks of materials. You will also be called upon to assist in a range of non clinical duties.

Once experienced, our highly trained Dental Nurses often work unsupervised and often mentor their less experienced colleagues, passing on their skills and knowledge. Progression is to Practice or Regional Managers responsible for coordinating the team within a dental practice or a group of dental practices. There’s a small number of opportunities to work on bases overseas or to go on operations or exercises to provide care and treatment for our troops in the field. This could mean working in tented accommodation for anything from a few days to a few months – but you will be provided with the facilities, equipment and training you need.

Unified Career Management (UCM) is a new approach to managing cadres of people where the capabilities they deliver are very similar across two or more of the single Services (sS). Personnel within UCM cohorts will benefit from new and bespoke career pathways which offer individuals the opportunity to progress a career within specialist cohorts. Serving personnel will transfer to UCM Medical Terms and Conditions of Service (TACOS) on 1 January 2024 under their current engagement/commission type and length of Service (LoS), those joining the sS on/after 1 January 2024 will automatically be aligned with UCM Terms of Service (TOS).

As a Dental Nurse you have an essential role in our team providing key support to the dental practice in multiple areas. You will be required to assist with clinical and non-clinical duties. You will have the opportunity to work alongside your regular RAF colleagues to deliver healthcare to the highest standards in the UK and Overseas.

You will join your nearest RAF Medical Reserve unit, located across the UK. Leuchars Station in Fife (612 Squadron), RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire (4626 Squadron), Flying Station Aldergrove in Northern Ireland (502 Squadron) or RAF Northolt in Middlesex (600 Squadron).

WHY JOIN THE RAF?

Thanks to subsidised food, travel, accommodation and free gym you get more money in your pocket.

Salary
Benefits Salary
Civilian Role
RAF Role
  • Rent from £75p/m
  • Free gym
  • Subsidised food
  • Health care
  • World travel
  • 6 weeks holiday

See All Benefits

TRAINING AND CAREER

TRAINING YOU’LL RECEIVE

Your career will start with a 10-week Basic Recruit Training Course at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. The course is designed to help you adjust to a military environment. As well as fitness and military training, you’ll also learn about the RAF lifestyle.

SPECIALIST TRAINING FOR UNQUALIFIED DENTAL NURSE

If you are joining without a dental nurse qualification you will study for the National Diploma in Dental Nursing awarded by the National Exam Board for Dental Nurses. Within the RAF, this
consists of a residential element at Defence Medical Services (DMS) Whittington and a placement in a RAF unit. During this time you will remain under training and on a pathway leading to
qualification and registration with the GDC.

SPECIALIST TRAINING FOR QUALIFIED DENTAL NURSE

Qualified and registered dental nurses joining will attend a 5 day familiarisation at a suitable unit prior to their first assignment.

More Details +

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Some Dental Nurses support specialist clinicians with an opportunity to gather additional clinical skills and qualifications which are all transferable once you return to civilian life.

YOUR FIRST TOUR

For your first tour, you will be posted to work within an experienced dental team. You’ll have a lot of contact with patients and develop a close working relationship with the other dental nurses, dentists and hygienists.

ONGOING TRAINING/DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

As a registered Dental Nurse, you will need to maintain your registration with the GDC by carrying out mandated CPD. The RAF is therefore keen to support your attendance at training days and conferences.

YOUR FUTURE CAREER PROSPECTS/PROGRESSION

You’ll initially join the RAF for a period of 12 years. After a year, you’ll be eligible for promotion to Senior Aircraftman/woman. On completion of specialist training and following registration with the GDC you will be awarded the Technical discriminator badge and advanced in pay accordingly. Promotion to Corporal and beyond is by competitive selection. When you reach the rank of corporal you could work either in a dental practice as the practice supervisor or as a Regional Dental Headquarters or as a dental nurse instructor.

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

The skills and qualifications you can gain are as valuable in the civilian world as they are in the RAF – which means that whenever you decide to leave the RAF, you will be well placed to
find a job as a civilian Dental Nurse or Practice Manager.

TRAINING AND CAREER

INITIAL TRAINING

Your training will commence with the Reserve Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC(R) Part 1, lasting 8 days and delivered locally at your Squadron. BRTC(R) Part 2 is conducted at RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire, a 2-week residential course that should be completed within your first year in the RAF Reserves. BRTC is designed to prepare you for Service life and teaches basic military skills such as weapon handling and fieldcraft.

SPECIALIST TRAINING

Following BRTC(R) Reserve Dental Nurses will receive induction training at their Squadron and undertake a number of learning modules to bridge the gap between civilian and military practice.

Commitment and location

You will have to commit to 27 days per year for 12 years minimum.


Each year includes a 15-day block for general RAF training, and 12 separate days for extra training or exercises.


You might be deployed to a UK or overseas base for up to 6 months after the first year.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

ALL APPLICANTS MUST:

Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth (with ‘right to work’ immigration status).

Be aged between 17 and 47 years old (Must attest before 48th birthday).

*Until at least you have completed one year of service and successfully completed Professional Workplace Assessments on first posting.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Have these minimum grades:

  GCSE GCSE 2017 SNE
English Language C Grade 4 Grade 5

Qualified Dental Nurses need to have current General Dental Council (GDC) registration. You will also need to have Enhanced DBS clearance.

If Unqualified you must fully research the training pathway leading to the NEBDN Diploma in dental nursing, the General Dental Council Standards and Continuing Professional Development before attending the specialist interview.

You can see what the RAF accepts in lieu of GCSEs & A Levels here.

NATIONALITY & RESIDENCY

Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth (with ‘right to work’ immigration status).

Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 5 years immediately preceding your application. However, candidates with a minimum of 3 years will be considered.

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

You must be physically fit to complete both initial and specialist training, and to do your role effectively. To check your fitness levels, we put every candidate through at least two separate fitness tests as part of the application process.

The first of these is the Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT) which takes place at a fitness centre local to you. This consists of the following:

  • 2.4km (1.5m) run on a treadmill (set to zero incline)
  • Achieve the required number of press-ups - within 60 seconds
  • Achieve the required number of sit-ups - within 60 seconds

The second fitness test will take place at RAF Halton on day one of your initial training. This consists of the following:

  • Achieving the required score on the Multi-Stage Fitness Test (MSFT or Bleep test)
  • Achieve the required number of press-ups - within 60 seconds
  • Achieve the required number of sit-ups - within 60 seconds

How fit you need to be to pass these tests can vary depending on role, age and gender. The requirements are listed on the charts below (Male and Female).

MALES - 100% pass rates:
AGE 2.4 Km Run Multi-Stage Fitness Test Press-ups Sit-ups
  (Mins) (Score) (No.) (No.)
15-16 11.39 9.03 20 35
17-29 11.11 9.10 20 35
30-34 11.36 9.04 19 32
35-39 12 8.09 18 29
40-44 12.26 8.03 17 26
45-47 12.54 7.07 16 23

 

FEMALES - 100% pass rates:
AGE 2.4 Km Run Multi-Stage Fitness Test Press-ups Sit-ups
  (Mins) (Score) (No.) (No.)
15-16 13.54 6.07 10 32
17-29 13.23 7.02 10 32
30-34 13.47 6.08 9 29
35-39 14.13 6.04 8 26
40-44 14.48 5.08 7 23
45-47 15.19 5.04 6 20

You can see the protocols for Press Ups & Sit Ups here:

PJFT/PRFV Protocols

You can download an MP3 file of the Multi-Stage Fitness Test below, listen to the introduction file first:

RAF MSFT: Intro

RAF MSFT: Bleep Test

You can see a video demonstration of the PRFV Fitness Test here:

RAF PRFV Fitness Test

A 12-week fitness plan with detailed information to help you get ready for all of the fitness tests can be downloaded here.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

BEFORE YOUR APPLICATION:

There are health requirements that must be met by all applicants:

  • Body Mass Index requirements:
Age Male and female minimum Male and female maximum Male maximum with additional assessment Female maximum with additional assessment
18 + 18 28 32 30
16 to < 18 17 27 27 27
  • Eyesight requirements vary for different roles. A requirement to wear glasses or contact lenses may be allowed for aircrew.

Get in touch if you have any questions about the health criteria, or would like to find out if any additional health requirements apply to your role of interest.

DURING YOUR APPLICATION:

The Medical Risk Assessment that all candidates undergo is there to make sure that you are healthy enough for the intense training required by the RAF. Your application will be rejected if you fail to meet the minimum acceptable medical standard for entry. Your medical history is confidential and is not disclosed to those not authorised to hold this information.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

YOU MUST:

  • Declare any previous spent and unspent convictions
  • Check if you qualify under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 through this summary
  • Have a basic background check to get Security Check level clearance

DISQUALIFYING FACTORS

YOU CAN'T APPLY FOR THE RAF IF YOU:

  • Have been or are a member of a group that stirs up racial hatred and violence
  • Are waiting to appear in court, or have unspent convictions. You may also have to declare spent convictions for certain roles
  • Misuse drugs, solvents and anabolic steroids. But each case is considered upon its own merits
  • Have tattoos, brands or bead implants that are obscene or offensive. 
    Any permanent or temporary tattoos, whether ordinarily visible or not, must not be obscene or offensive (eg, racist, anti-religion or belief, crude, overtly sexist, homophobic, drug related or of an extreme political nature). Tattoos may be worn on the side and back of the neck but tattoos on the back of the neck must not extend above the natural hairline (scalp tattoos are not permitted). In addition, tattoos must not be visible below the sleeve cuff while wearing uniform, although a single finger (not thumb) tattoo that could be covered by a ring may be permitted
  • Have body piercing which causes holes that do not close up
  • Declare yourself to be an 'undischarged' bankrupt

Beard Policy:

A revised facial hair policy has been agreed by the Air Force Board which will allow serving personnel to wear a smart, neatly-trimmed, full-set beard whilst maintaining high standards of appearance. The length of acceptable beards is between Grade 1 (2.5mm) and Grade 8 (25.5mm).

The wearing of beards during Phase 1 and Phase 2 training is currently under consideration and details will be advised when available.

If you don’t have any of the above, you might still be able to apply. For more information contact your local AFCO.

GOT WHAT IT TAKES?

Apply here and receive an email that invites you to your full online application.

Apply as a Regular