PDA Dental Nursing SCQF level 7

The PDA in Dental Nursing at SCQF level 7 has been developed in partnership with the dental sector in Scotland to ensure it is fit for purpose.

It is designed for dental nurses who are in training and who wish to work in the sector.

Units are typically 40 hours of learning and they can be delivered concurrently with the work-based SVQ.

This PDA may provide further progression routes in the sector.

The target audience is trainee dental nurses in work, or who are seeking employment, who require a specific skill set.

Access

Entry is at the discretion of the centre.

There are no pre-entry qualifications for this award although it is likely that learners will be concurrently undertaking the SVQ in Dental Nursing and should have completed a thorough induction and/or introductory level dental nursing units.

However, due to the nature of the award, learners must be either in employment within an oral health care environment or have access to a suitable placement or, where appropriate, a realistic workplace environment

The units in the PDA have been mapped against the National Occupational Standards for Dental Nursing.

• Learners would have the opportunity of progressing to other higher-level PDAs, which could perhaps lead to a full HN qualification if wanted.

Centres interested in offering this qualification must come forward for approval and should contact SQA’s Business Development Team for guidance.

Assessors and verifiers must be able to meet SQA’s general requirements for technical or occupational competence as outlined in the Systems and Qualification Approval Guide. The specific delivery requirements are set out in the assessment strategy.

Centre staff involved in the delivery and assessment of dental nursing qualifications must be registered with the GDC as Dental Care Professionals.

Each unit specification gives detailed information on the evidence requirements and approaches to assessment for the unit.

Each unit is assessed separately. Mandatory summative assessments for each unit are available on SOLAR. Centres must use the SOLAR assessments to assess their candidates for these units.