We are seeking a committed Community Dental Therapist to join our Community Dental Service in Carmarthenshire. This role offers a meaningful opportunity to deliver high-quality, preventative-focused dental care to children, young people, and vulnerable members of the community. The post will be primarily based at Elizabeth Williams Clinic, Llanelli, providing a stable clinical base. However, there may be an expectation to occasionally deliver care in community settings across the locality, supporting outreach services and improving access for those most in need. You will play a key role in improving oral health outcomes through patient‑centred care, early intervention, and education, while working closely with dentists and dental nurses as part of a multidisciplinary team. The ideal candidate will be motivated by reducing oral health inequalities, confident in independent clinical practice, and committed to delivering compassionate, professional care across diverse settings.
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will:
* Apply knowledge of community dental patient pathways to deliver safe, effective, and best‑practice care within the Community Dental Service.
* Work under Direct Access arrangements and in accordance with Health Board Patient Group Directives (PGDs).
* Adhere to the GDC Code of Conduct, professional standards, ethics of the dental team, and meet all core CPD requirements.
* Develop, maintain, and review accurate and comprehensive treatment plans, ensuring care remains within the GDC scope of practice and tailored to individual patient needs.
* Undertake ongoing patient assessment, including consent, medical and social history, and update clinical systems as required.
* Use professional judgement to adapt treatment plans where necessary, including delivering additional treatment within the permitted scope of practice to achieve optimal clinical outcomes.
* Provide clear and effective preventative advice, including oral hygiene instruction and dietary counselling.
* Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential patient records in line with Hywel Dda University Health Board policies and GDC requirements.
* Contribute positively to a team‑based approach to care, supporting improved access to dental services and the promotion of oral health equity across the community.
About us
Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.
We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in‑hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.
We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.
Our services are provided in:
* Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
* Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
* Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
* 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
* Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Interviews will be held on 27/05/2026
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
* Degree/Diploma in Dental Therapy & Hygiene
* Post Graduate certificate in at least one extended duty in dental therapy (e.g. Health promotion, special needs, radiography, sedation)
* GDC Registration
* Knowledge of specialist dental equipment and the associated legal responsibilities
* Knowledge of Clinical Governance and participation in Audit
* Conversant with basic life support, resuscitation techniques and management of medical emergencies.
* Understanding of national trends relevant to assessment and intervention within the clinical and oral health improvement.
* Awareness of the CDS client criteria and its role.
* Knowledge of GDP and Hospital Services.
* Competency to operate under Direct Access
* Knowledge of the oral health initiative programmes
* Able to complete post graduate training in inhalation sedation to enable the provision of dental care with sedation.
Experience
* Clinical experience in domiciliary, mobile dental unit or school setting environments
* Experience in prioritising clinical needs
* Evidence of working within a multi‑agency team.
* Risk assessment in relation to patient management
* Experience of working within remit of Direct Access
* Experience in hospital dental service, Community Dental Service or General Dental Practice.
Other
* Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner
* Professional Indemnity Insurance
* Ability to carry equipment for domiciliary visits such as dental chair, portable light, medical emergency equipment, defibrillator, oxygen cylinder and portable suction unit.
* Ability to assist in manoeuvring patients in accordance with manual handling policies.
* Welsh Speaker (Level 1)
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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