Special Care Dental Nursing

Special Care Dentistry is about providing and enabling the delivery of oral care for people with additional needs.

The NEBDN Certificate in Special Care Dental Nursing is a qualification suitable for Dental Nurses who help to care for people whose health and social needs may require special oral health provision. The syllabus is structured to ensure that you receive a broad range of knowledge and understanding relevant to special care dentistry. This includes social and ethical issues, together with a working knowledge of the relevant current legislation and guidance.

Who is it for?

This qualification is suitable for registered Dental Nurses who help to care for people whose health and social needs may require special oral health provision.

Record of Competence

You will be required to complete a work-based Record of Competence (RoC). There are four sections to the RoC:

  • Practical Competence Assessment Sheets (PCAS)
  • Case studies
  • Directly Observed Clinical Skills (DOCS) Assessments
  • Supplementary outcomes

Examination

This is a 90-minute written examination composed of two sections:

  • Part A – 45 multiple choice questions (MCQ)
  • Part B – 30 extended matching questions (EMQ)

Examinations are held twice a year in March and September.

Award of qualification

In order to be awarded this qualification, you must:

  • Complete and satisfy the requirements of the RoC
  • Pass the examination

Find a Provider

Special Care in Dental Nursing – Syllabus 2021

2024 Exam Dates

2025 Exam Dates

Reading List

Special Care Dental Nursing Reading List

Post-registration qualification in Special Care Dental Nursing: Reading List

Delivering Better Oral Health an evidence-based tool kit Third Edition  Department of Health (currently being updated)

Special Care in Dentistry. Handbook of Oral Care    Authors, Crispian Scully, Pedro Diz Dios, Navdeep Kumar

Holistic Oral Care. A guide for Health professionals. Second Edition,  Authors, Janet Griffiths, Steve Boyle

BDA Clinical Guide to Special Care Dentistry  Authors, Fiske and Dougall

Advanced Dental Nursing Author Robert Ireland

British Society for Disability and Oral Health www.bsdh.org

Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme www.sdcep.org.uk

All Wales Special Interest Group www.Sigwales.org