Job overview
Internal candidates only- Looking for a Band 5 dental nurse for a permanent 15 hours per week contract
You will be working in this very busy department providing specialised Orthodontic, Paediatric and Restorative dental care for children and adults.
We are looking for a qualified dental nurse who is enthusiastic and
experienced with excellent organisational and interpersonal skills.
Previous experience in orthodontic dental nursing is desirable but not
essential.
You will be working in this very busy department providing specialised
Orthodontic, Paediatric and Restorative dental care for children and adults.
Main duties of the job
1. The post holder will be expected to assist the restorative, paediatric dental and orthodontic team in delivering a high quality service.
2. This will include preparing and assisting in the clinics, as well as giving pre and post-operative instructions and carrying out clinical tasks such as taking dental impressions when required.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Candidate information pack - University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.
If you do not meet the sponsorship requirements, and you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.
Clinical - Out patient
3. To review all clinic lists/case-notes prior to the start of each outpatient clinic to identify the nature of each appointment and make all necessary preparation to ensure each clinic is delivered professionally and efficiently
4. To prepare the clinical environment for patient care, ensuring that all equipment in the clinic rooms is functioning correctly, that the rooms are fully stocked, and that all necessary case-notes patient records and appliances are available
5. To escort patients and parents/guardians/carers from the waiting area to the clinical rooms and welcome them into the clinical environment in a courteous and helpful manner, giving appropriate additional assistance to patients and parents/guardians/carers with disabilities.
6. To assist the clinician chairside during dental treatment. This includes orthodontic and dental treatment, new patient clinics, joint/ multidisciplinary clinics and dental surgical procedures involving local anaesthesia and sedation.
7. To identify patients’ dental nursing needs during treatment and provide appropriate care, including effective communication in challenging situations such as treatment of anxious patients and parents, or patients with dental or needle phobias
8. To provide dental nursing care for paediatric dental patients who have experienced dental trauma, or have complex medical history, and or behavioural special needs
9. To assist the clinicians by providing chair-side assistance during examination and treatment of patients, anticipating the clinician’s needs and meeting these, thereby providing a high quality service with optimal efficiency
10. To perform cross-infection control procedures, in accordance with the Trust’s Cross Infection Policies.
11. To dispose of clinical and non-clinical waste appropriately, in accordance with Trust Waste Disposal policy.
12. To prepare all impressions and appliances for transfer to our in house orthodontic laboratory. Ensuring the laboratory prescription forms are completed and signed by the clinician and ensure that these are delivered to the laboratory.
13. To complete patient documentation and records as appropriate.
14. To ensure that the clinic rooms are cleared appropriately at the end of the clinic, returning notes to the administration team, transferring laboratory work to the laboratory, and restocking the clinic as necessary.
15. To maintain good communication and liaison with clinical, nursing, office and laboratory staff to ensure that clinics are conducted effectively and efficiently.
16. To assist in management of Medical Emergencies in accordance with good practice and Trust mandatory training.
17. To assist with the maintenance of instruments and equipment, in accordance with good practice and national policies.
18. To assist in monitoring health and safety at work, reporting hazards to the health and safety of patients and staff in accordance with the Trust’s Health and Safety Policy.
Clinical – Special Skills
19. To develop dental radiographs and complete all necessary records relating to radiographs taken in the department, in compliance with department policies and the Ionising Radiation Regulations.
20. To take dental impressions for the fabrication of study models and orthodontic/ dental appliances. If you are not already trained to take dental impressions, you will be expected to gain the relevant training and qualification to take impressions independently.
21. To explain specialist orthodontic, paediatric and restorative dentistry procedures to patients and parents/guardians/carers, give post-operative instructions and educate patients in the use and care of their appliances.
22. To give oral hygiene instruction and dental health advice to patients and carers.
23. Assisting the restorative consultant in managing complex procedures., and sterile surgical procedures under local anaesthesia, including the placement and restoration of dental implants, bone grafting and complex periodontal surgery.
Clinical – Theatre (Day Case General Anaesthesia List)
24. To review all operating lists/case-notes prior to the start of each list to identify the nature of the procedures and make all necessary preparations, ensuring that all the necessary materials and instruments are transferred safely to Theatre.
25. To assist the clinicians by providing dental nursing assistance for all dental procedures undertaken in theatre.
26. To pack away all instruments and materials at the end of the list and ensure that these are transferred safely back to the department.
Please see attached Job Description for full details.
Person specification
Qualifications/Experience
Essential criteria
27. National Examining Board Certificate for Dental Nurses or equivalent
28. Previous work experience as a Dental Nurse
29. General Dental Council Registration
Desirable criteria
30. National Examining Board Certificate in Dental Radiography
31. A Certificate of Competency in Dental Impression Taking
32. Diploma in Specialist Orthodontic Nursing
33. Previously worked with children
Equality Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
34. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
35. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications