Dental nursing for dental implants within dental care focuses on supporting the surgical placement, ensuring a sterile environment throughout and ensuring that patient care is of the highest standard. Dental nurses must have a thorough understanding of the procedure and knowledge about implants if nursing alongside implant placements.

The role involves preparing surgical instruments, managing patient records, and providing pre- and post-operative care and instructions to patients. The role requires excellent communication skills, and the ability to work efficiently as part of a team to ensure successful outcomes and high standards of patient care. This demanding yet rewarding field offers the opportunity be involved in a journey which can have significant impact on patients' confidence, oral health, and overall well-being.

Implant dental nursing may not be suitable for everyone; if you’re uncomfortable with blood, surgery, and the more intense aspects of oral surgery procedures, it might be better to focus on restorative dental nursing instead. This path can be equally fascinating, especially when working with the right clinician.

Becoming a Dental Implant Nurse: Training Paths and The Options Available

It is not a requirement to have a post qualification for dental implant nursing; however, the GDC states you must be adequately trained, competent and indemnified for any tasks you perform. This can range from in-house training at your practice, a day course, or if committed and willing to invest, a post-qualification in dental nursing for dental implants.

Pursuing post-qualifications requires significant time and investment, so it's crucial to thoroughly research and select the right course for you before committing. Consider whether you’ve chosen the right duration, if you can dedicate yourself to the learning process, and do you have the support of your colleagues? Have you also evaluated the course provider? Unfortunately, there are providers with a poor reputation, so ensuring the course provider is also willing to support you is just as important alongside support of colleagues. Asking for recommendations from others can direct you to a reputable provider.

As an alternative to committing to a long-term course, there are day courses, online options, and CPD (Continuing Professional Development) programs available to enhance your knowledge. For example, BADN has previously hosted a coffee catch-up which served as an introduction to dental implant nursing. These options generally require far less time and financial investment. Through them, you'll gain the essential skills and knowledge needed to assist with implant procedures. This foundational knowledge can be a great starting point for your career, as hands-on experience is incredibly valuable. By working alongside experienced professionals as much as possible, you can significantly improve your skills and may find that additional training isn’t necessary.

The Procedure and Understanding of Patient Care During Implant Placement

Numerous items are necessary for implant placements, such as surgical instruments, implant kits, sterile single-use PPE sets, the implant itself, potential bone grafting materials, saline, gauze, and antibiotics. While I could continue listing more, it’s clear how extensive the requirements are. Exceptional organisational skills are crucial for proactively checking that all necessary equipment has been ordered and is prepared and ready for the day of surgery. This responsibility directly relates to patient care, as part of your role involves ensuring the safe execution of the procedure through the right skills and knowledge.

Since this is a surgical procedure, it is crucial to maintain the highest standards of cross-infection knowledge. A sterile environment must be ensured at all times. By assisting the clinician with high standard dental nursing skills, you can help facilitate a smooth appointment and minimize any disruptions during the procedure.

Each procedure will differ, often involving the creation of incisions, which means sharp blades and similar instruments are used. Keep in mind that the clinician will be wearing loupes, limiting their view to the implant site, so it's our responsibility to manage the rest of the mouth. This includes retracting soft tissues and controlling bleeding with suction and gauze to enhance the clinician's visibility while ensuring patient comfort and preventing anything from going down their throat.

While having two dental nurses for the surgical procedure isn't mandatory, it is considered best practice. Working with two dental nurses makes the setup quicker and more efficient, with one dental nurse designated as "sterile" and the other as "dirty." The sterile dental nurse will gown up and only handle sterile items and perform aspirating duties, while the dirty dental nurse assists by opening implants, developing X-rays, and providing support during the procedure. Fortunately, I have the privilege of working with an excellent clinician, so we only need a dirty dental nurse for the opening of implants / graft material and X-ray development. Too many people in the room can feel crowded, but every team operates differently, and you will find the rhythm that works best for you and your clinician. I assure you, with the right training and support from your clinician, it’s easier than it sounds!

The Reasons I Appreciate and Strive for Excellence in Dental Implant Nursing

While the role can be demanding, it is also immensely rewarding, as you have the opportunity to significantly enhance patients' confidence and overall well-being through effective implant procedures. Being involved in potential life-changing procedures for patients fuels my enthusiasm to nurse alongside these treatments as much as possible. I make it a priority to inspire other dental nurses to strive for excellence in their practice every day. Additionally, I am committed to educating others in the profession about the various options available, ensuring they find enjoyment and fulfilment in their dental nursing careers.

I also have a passion for the surgical aspect of dental implant nursing and take great satisfaction in making the procedure as smooth as possible for both the clinician and the patient. By facilitating a seamless experience, I help reassure patients that the surgical process isn’t as intimidating as it may seem, especially when it appears to go so effortlessly.