PSD Scotland achieves top HMIE ratings for modern apprenticeship in dental nursing programme

Graded as ‘Excellent: outstanding and sector leading’ across all quality indicators within the HMIE framework, inspectors also identified the team’s digitally enabled delivery model and innovative assessment approaches as ‘Highly Effective Practice’.

The HMIE Inspectors’ Report also recognises the positive national impact on quality, sustainability, and learner experience, underlining PSD Scotland's commitment to supporting the dental workforce.

Advancing dental nurse education 

PSD Scotland,established on 1 April 2026, brings together NHS Education for Scotland (NES) and NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) into a single national organisation that is designed to speed up modernisation across Scotland’s health, care, and wider public services.

The Modern Apprenticeship in Dental Nursing is delivered by PSD Scotland’s Dental Care Professionals (DCP) Workstream. The team was established in 2006 to strengthen and advance dental nurse education in Scotland. At that time, the Scottish Government’s Action Plan for Improving Oral Health and Modernising Dental Services highlighted the need to expand both the availability and quality of dental nurse education ahead of compulsory General Dental Council registration.  It also called for improved access to post‑registration  education to support career progression and high‑quality  patient care.

Twenty years on, the DCP Workstream delivers a wide range of high‑quality, blended learning programmes that support dental nurses, orthodontic therapists, practice managers and dental receptionists to achieve recognised qualifications and develop sustainable career pathways. Collectively, this provision contributes to the delivery of safe, effective and high‑quality dental care across Scotland. 

We are exceptionally proud that HM Inspectors have graded our Modern Apprenticeship in Dental Nursing programme as Excellent across leadership and management, delivery of training, and progress and outcomes.  

These inspection outcomes strongly endorse our commitment to providing accessible, high‑quality, learner‑centred education, and highlight the strength of the collaborative partnerships with apprentices and employers that sit at the heart of our work, reflecting our ethos of ‘People first, Partnership always approach’. This recognition acknowledges the dedication and professionalism of our colleagues and reaffirms our continued focus on developing a skilled and sustainable dental workforce across Scotland. 

Caroline Taylor, Associate Postgraduate Dental Dean (DCP Workstream) PSD Scotland

This fantastic report is a clear signal that Public Services Delivery Scotland’s dental nursing modern apprenticeship provision is setting a benchmark for excellence. It reflects a strong, consistent culture of improvement and a model of education that is responsive to service need, supports learners to thrive, and strengthens workforce capacity where it matters most. 

I want to thank apprentices, employers and everyone involved in delivery and support for the professionalism, care and ambition they bring to this programme. We will continue to champion innovation, equity of access and robust quality assurance so that dental nurse students across Scotland can develop with confidence and their patients benefit from a resilient, future‑ready dental team workforce.

Lee Savarrio, Postgraduate Dean and Director of Dentistry, PSD Scotland