At PDSE, we recognise the importance of learning and development for the benefit of both individuals and the organisation. Our employees have access to a comprehensive Learning and Development Framework, which outlines pathways for growth and development across all staff groups, giving all staff clear routes to progression and enhancing their skills.
Explore the sections below to learn more about our training, education, and development opportunities.
Dental Nurse Apprenticeships
Apprentice Dental Nurses are valued members of our teams in our Plymouth and Exeter facilities. They work in our clinics gaining valuable hands-on experience alongside their colleagues and also spend 1 day per week with their apprenticeship provider.
As an Apprentice Dental Nurse, you will be mentored by experienced clinical staff to support the provision of high quality, safe, clinical care which includes all aspects of Primary Care Dentistry and the associated administrative tasks.
A Dental Nurse Apprentice at PDSE commented: “I started my apprenticeship in my early twenties, and it gave me the chance to build a career. Training with PDSE has been such as positive experience – the team are so supportive, and I genuinely enjoy being part of it.”
Our Dental Nurse Apprenticeship opportunities are advertised on our current vacancies page, NHS Jobs, FindAJob, and Indeed – please contact pdse-recruitment@plymouth.ac.uk for more information.
Dental Nurse Development Opportunities
We are committed to supporting the ongoing professional development of our Dental Nurses and actively encourage the completion of additional recognised qualifications. These include: Infection Control, Safeguarding, Oral Health Education, Fluoride Application, Minor Oral Surgery, Sedation, Impression Taking, Dental Radiography, and Oral Health Practitioner.
Achieving these qualifications enables Dental Nurses to expand their scope of practice and take on enhanced roles within PDSE. Opportunities include becoming an Infection Control Lead, Safeguarding Lead, or Radiation Safety Lead, as well as supporting community outreach initiatives and events. Qualified Dental Nurses may also deliver fluoride varnish applications within the community or lead their own patient-facing clinics.
There are clear progression pathways within the organisation, with opportunities to develop into Clinic Team Leader or Deputy Clinic Team Leader roles at each site, as well as positions within the senior Clinical Management Team.
We are also proud to support career progression beyond dental nursing. PDSE is currently sponsoring a Dental Nurse to undertake a Dental Therapy and Hygiene qualification at the University of Plymouth, while continuing to work as a Dental Nurse outside of academic terms.
Qualified Dental Nurses also have the opportunity to support research projects at PDSE – find out more about our research projects here. You can also explore our staff development stories here to see how our dental nurses have progressed in their careers.
Registered Dental Professionals
Registered clinicians have access to a range of development opportunities across education, clinical practice, research, and leadership.
Education & Teaching Opportunities
Educational pathways include completing a PG Certificate in Education, which can support progression into Foundation Trainer or University of Plymouth Clinical Supervisor roles. Explore our staff development stories here.
Clinical Skills, Specialist Development & Digital Dentistry
Clinical development opportunities include postgraduate study such as MSc programmes, which can support enhanced practice and, for dentists, progression towards Tier 2 accreditation and service delivery. Dentists may also pursue specialty training through the competitive NHS WTE process.
Clinicians also benefit from investment in digital dentistry and modern clinical technology, creating opportunities to develop skills in innovative models of care. Find out more about digital dentistry at PDSE here.
Specialist Interest Clinics
Development in focused clinical areas can lead to delivery of specialist clinics, including oral surgery, paediatric dentistry, restorative dentistry, or conscious sedation services. Find out more about the services delivered at PDSE here.
Research Opportunities
Clinicians have opportunities to get involved in clinical research projects, supporting service improvement, innovation, and evidence-based patient care. This includes contributing to research studies, evaluation projects, and collaborative work across PDSE. Find out more about research at PDSE here.
Conferences & Professional Development
Clinicians can submit individual training requests to fund attendance at national and international conferences, supporting professional development, knowledge sharing, and staying up to date with best practice.
Leadership & Career Progression
Leadership development opportunities include qualifications such as an FHLM or a PG Certificate in Leadership. These can support progression into Team Lead, Deputy Clinical Lead, or Clinical Lead roles, with further pathways into Clinical Director of Dentistry and wider PDSE Corporate Leadership positions.
Undergraduate Dental Student Placements
PDSE operates four Dental Education Facilities (DEFs) and one Dental Education Practice (DEP) across the South West, with dental clinics located in Exeter, Plymouth (Derriford, Devonport and City Centre), and Truro. Find out more about each of our clinics here.
In these clinics the University of Plymouth’s Peninsula Dental School students provide patient care under the supervision of qualified dentists, supported by a dedicated team of dental nurses, dental hygienists, dental therapists and support staff.
Students rotate through our facilities as part of their Dental Surgery (5 years) and Dental Therapy and Hygiene (3 years) programmes. Find more information on the courses here.
We are proud to have contributed to the Peninsula Dental School’s 1st place ranking for Dentistry in the Guardian University Guide 2025.
Integrated Professional Engagement is an embedded feature of the curriculum, enabling undergraduate dental and dental therapy students to work with groups in the community to address societal needs.
Post-Graduate Dental Student Placements
As a dedicated placement provider, PDSE supports the delivery of postgraduate dental training programmes. These placements are designed to offer high-quality clinical experience, structured supervision, strong mentorship, and professional development across a range of recognised training routes, including Dental Foundation Training (DFT), Joint Dental Foundation Core Training (JDFCT), Dental Therapy Foundation Training (DTFT), and dental speciality training (DST).
Dental Foundation Training (DFT)
Dental Foundation Training (DFT) is the first stage of postgraduate education for newly qualified dentists. During DFT, foundation dentists work in a supervised primary care setting, providing hands-on patient care while developing clinical and professional skills.
Trainees are supported by an Educational Supervisor within PDSE and participate in regular study days and structured teaching sessions. Completion of the DFT placement enables dentists to join the NHS Performers List, allowing them to practise independently within NHS primary care.
Find out more here.
Joint Dental Foundation Core Training (JDFCT)
Joint Dental Foundation Core Training (JDFCT) is a two-year longitudinal training programme that combines both primary and secondary care experience. It integrates one year of Dental Foundation Training (DFT) with one year of Dental Core Training (DCT).
This pathway provides trainees with a broader clinical experience, including rotations between general dental practice and hospital or community dental services. It is designed to support the development of more advanced clinical skills and a deeper understanding of the wider healthcare system. Find out more here.
One of our JDFCT placements commented: “Having spent the last 8 months with PDSE as part of my training, I can confidently say that I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as part of the team here. To be surrounded by such supportive and friendly colleagues really makes for an amazing learning and working environment.”
Dental Therapy Foundation Training (DTFT)
Therapist Foundation Training (Therapist DFT) is a structured postgraduate programme for newly qualified dental therapists, supporting their transition into practice.
Therapists work within general dental practice settings, developing competencies in preventive care, periodontal treatment, restorative procedures, and patient management, while working as part of the wider dental team.
Similar to dentist DFT programmes, trainees benefit from supervision, mentoring, and protected learning time to consolidate their clinical skills and professional development.
Find out more here.
Dental Speciality Training (DST)
Dentists can specialise in 13 dental specialities recognised by the General Dental Council. All DST programmes align with current General Dental Council curricula, available on their website.
PDSE has supported speciality trainees in restorative dentistry, oral surgery and dental public health and is currently supporting postgraduate dental public health training in the southwest.
Find out more here.
Learning, Development and Progression
We encourage all staff to continue developing throughout their careers, with the opportunity to submit both personal and professional training requests to support their growth.
We provide access to CPD platforms such as LinkedIn Learning and Agilio, alongside annual Basic Life Support training for clinical staff. Additional opportunities include becoming a First Aider, Fire Warden, Mental Health First Aider, or Team Talk Representative.
Staff working in administration, operations, and support services play a vital role in delivering high-quality patient care and oral health education. We actively support these colleagues to undertake role-specific training and professional development aligned with their career goals, with opportunities for internal progression into senior administrative and leadership roles.
We have a range of non-clinical roles available within our organisation, including:
Dental Administrators
Our Dental Administration team plays a key role in the smooth running of our Dental Education Facilities (DEFs). Responsibilities include handling telephone enquiries, managing reception and appointment bookings, supporting clinical staff with clerical tasks, and ensuring services are organised efficiently.
Dental Administrators have access to a range of development opportunities, including becoming Safeguarding Representatives and completing a Business Administration qualification. There are clear progression pathways, including advancement to an Administration Team Leader role within the Plymouth DEFs. Individuals may also explore opportunities across the wider organisation, such as moving into Decontamination, or training to become a qualified Dental Nurse.
Business Administrators
Our Business Administration team provides support to PDSE’s central functions, including the Senior Management Team and Directors. The team is responsible for general administrative duties such as ordering supplies, processing invoices, and maintaining records. The team also organises meetings, takes minutes, manages diaries and schedules, and uses a range of systems to accurately collate and analyse data. Collaboration is central to the role, with team members working together on shared projects and organisational objectives.
There are a variety of progression opportunities, including roles in data analysis, clinic planning, governance, HR, maintenance support, and marketing. Professional development is actively supported, with opportunities to complete HR qualifications that enable specialisation within the HR function and progression up to HR Manager level. Team members may also undertake finance qualifications, which support development within the finance team and can lead to roles such as Accountant or Finance Business Partner.
Decontamination Assistants
Our Decontamination Assistants work as part of a team in supporting the effective and efficient operation of the Decontamination Facility, and ensuring sufficient equipment is provided to the clinical areas across our facilities.
There are opportunities to progress to a Decontamination Team Leader role, as well as pathways into other areas such as Administration or training to become a qualified Dental Nurse.
Development opportunities include completing an Infection Control course, which can lead to becoming an Infection Control Lead. Additional training is available in Washer Disinfector and Large Porous Load Steriliser weekly testing.
Research Fellows
Our Research team develops and conducts research, evaluation, enterprise, and knowledge transfer aligned with PDSE’s social mission. Working within multidisciplinary teams – including clinicians, health service researchers, methodologists, patients, and other stakeholders – they focus on community engagement and outreach to better understand the oral health needs of vulnerable groups and access to care. This work supports an inclusive approach to identifying evidence gaps and addressing oral health inequalities.
Team members can apply for training to attend national and international conferences and undertake postgraduate study, including MSc programmes. There are clear progression pathways within the team, including development into a Research Lead role.
Qualified Dental Nurses also have the opportunity to support research projects at PDSE – find out more about Dental Nurse development opportunities above.
You can learn more about research at PDSE here.
