Nursing is undoubtedly one of the country's most respected and admired professions. All that respect and admiration stem from the dedication and hard work it takes to become a registered nurse in Nigeria.
The dental branch of the profession is very demanding, just as is nursing in general. However, going into nursing is rewarding, as the occupation has a high employability rate and is a great asset to society.
Suppose the dentistry arm of nursing is what interests you. In that case, you'd be glad to know that there are several options for becoming a practitioner therein, including academic and vocational training.
We'll discuss all that in this article, so read on below to find out.
What Are the Job Responsibilities of a Dental Nurse
Image Credit: Unsplash
Dental nurses help diagnose, manage, and treat disorders, diseases, and all conditions of the oral cavity (Mouth). Dental nurses have a lot to deal with at any health facility where they work.
As in any other branch of nursing, they have to address patients with empathy and stay dedicated to the course of treating them of what brings them to the dental clinic. The key roles of a dental nurse are as follows:
- Sterilizing dental equipment and storing them
- Taking notes that are crucial to the treatment plan of a patient while a dentist works on them
- Preparing materials for a dentist
- Welcoming and checking in patients at the reception
- Carrying out cleaning procedures on a patient's mouth during treatment
- Supplying the dentist with equipment during operations on a patient.
From the responsibilities listed above, dental health nurses are practically dentists' assistants and are crucial to the completion of treatments on patients. They essentially make the job of a dentist.
In Nigeria, you can find dental health nurses in health facilities such as dental clinics, general hospitals, and private clinics, to mention a few.
Crucial Skills Required of Dental Nurses
Image Credit: Unsplash
Other than the job responsibilities of a dental nurse, there are also essential skills to have for ease of practising. While you wouldn't master these skills overnight, you'll hone and use them effectively as you spend more years in the field studying and practising.
Some crucial skills to have are:
- The ability to work under immense pressure
- Effective management of time
Staying organized and composed at all times - Excellent communication skills with patients when recommending, assuring, and advising
- Ability to multitask
- Excellent communication with dentists in passing information
- Keeping records of patients
- Working collaboratively with other care staff
The highlighted skills are crucial to dental nurses studying and working. Therefore, you might want to hone them to a certain degree to be considered a competent practitioner.
This is how to become a veterinary nurse in Nigeria.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Dental Nursing in Nigeria?
As with every profession in the world, dental nursing isn't 100% perfect. There are cons to weigh, some of which might not sit well with some people. It's up to you to weigh the cons against the pros and see if it's feasible.
Pros
High Employability: You'd be surprised to learn how often people visit dentists in Nigeria, especially elderly persons who develop oral issues due to the disabling effects of old age. Dental visits don't always have to be because of problems with the teeth. People also visit dentists for cleansing and beatification of their teeth.
As such, nurses who simplify the dentists' jobs are in constant demand. Dental nursing graduates will have no problem landing an internship or permanent position upon graduation.
Flexible Schedules: Most dental clinics or departments in general hospitals give nurses the option to work on shifts. The flexibility of these depends on the facility in question, but that you can have some off days a mid-week is something any professional would cherish.
Shorter Training: Compared to their employees or superiors, the dentists, nurses can train and earn their certificate in a shorter time, especially those who go to a school of nursing and midwifery (3 years).
Cons
Although not a fun discussion, we also have to mention the cons so that you can be well informed.
Dependent Nature: Dental Nurses are primarily employees of dentists who own private dental clinics in Nigeria and, as such, barely have the power to arrange their day or which patients they want to see. Even the ones who work in general hospitals are still overly dependent on the directives of a dentist.
Little Room for Growth: If you're the type who likes to learn new things as the years go by, many dental nursing tasks will quickly become repetitive to you. And the career growth in nursing is not very exciting compared to the dentists they work under.
If you're keen on growth, you'll get to branch into the education and research sectors of the profession, where you can work as an educator in an institution or as a research team member.
While the decision to become a dental health nurse is totally up to you, we can't help but mention the cons so that you can weigh your options. However, it'd interest you to learn that dental nurses are in demand in developed countries such as the UK, Canada, and the USA.
You have the option to apply for a position in any of these countries and go practice there. If you're lucky to get hired, you'll get more work flexibility and better career growth than in Nigeria.
Steps to Become a Dental Nurse
Image Credit: Unsplash
Dental Health Nursing is offered as a course across various institutions in Nigeria. Some of these institutions are designated medical schools, where students are equipped with the knowledge and tools that'll make them beneficial to the greater society.
The following steps can help you become a dental health nurse in Nigeria:
Get a Degree
As suggested earlier, some institutions across Nigeria offer distinct dental nursing/assistant courses. One of such is the Lagos State College of Medicine (LASUCOM). The University of Calabar also has a designated Faculty of Dentistry, and so does the University of Jos.
Premier schools such as the University of Ibadan and Obafemi Awolowo University have dental health courses under their Nursing disciplines. Another viable option is the Federal School of Dental Technology and Therapy (FSDTT) at the heart of Enugu.
Either way, your best bet is to research the school where you intend to study dental nursing and confirm if they offer the best option to achieve the lifelong dream of becoming an established dental health nurse.
Undergo an Internship
Receiving on-the-job experience is crucial for becoming a dental health nurse. Many clinics offer internship programs wherein you'll get the practical training you need to carry out dental nursing responsibilities.
The good news is that the dentist you worked under can retain you after completing your internship, an excellent opportunity for you to start earning right away after acquiring your skill.
Get Registered
The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) is the agency that registers and issues certificates to nurses across the country. To be eligible for registration, you'll need to have completed either of the steps discussed earlier. You can visit the NMCN website for the documents you need to submit to be registered.
Summarily, dental nurses who go through the formal route of obtaining a degree should expect to spend five years studying and another extra year serving their fatherland. On the other hand, those who undergo an internship (General nursing) can expect to spend between three years learning and training.
Read on how to become a mental health nurse in Nigeria.
Tips for Becoming a Seasoned Dental Nurse in Nigeria
You should enter the dental health nursing field with the determination to be as successful as possible in your domain. Therefore, it's essential to do the following:
Hone Your People Skills
A lot of the time, you'll be dealing with patients with their mouths open. You need to make your conversational skills, attentiveness, and friendlies topmost in these situations.
Enroll for Lessons Under a Dental Nurse
You can get some tutorials and mentorship under a practicing nurse in Nigeria. This way, you'll get a guide on how to make the most of your journey in dental nursing. You'll find nurses offering tutoring services on Superprof.ng, an online academic hub connecting teachers and students.
One of the advantages of learning under a Superprof tutor is that your tutor can help you prepare for your exams or general studies by dropping nuggets that aid quicker assimilation.
Likewise, your tutor can offer career advice to shape how and where you choose to become a dental health nurse. Lessons are mostly done online but can also be held in physical locations based on your preference.
Interesting, you can get a first-time free lesson, with subsequent ones coming at an agreed fee per hour. Check out nursing tutors on Superprof today.
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...