Contact information
Please contact Ms Rachael Nichol, Consultant Paediatric Dentist if you have any queries about the post
Email: rachael.nichol@nhs.net
Tel: 01924 327520
About the role
We are looking for a full time Dental Therapist to join our Community Dental Service, to deliver dental care to children and adults in Wakefield and District. The dental therapist would be joining an established specialist paediatric dentistry and adult special care team already consisting of two consultants and a specialist in paediatric dentistry, a specialist in special care dentistry as well as 3 Senior Dental Officers, 2 Dental Officers, Specialty Registrars and Foundation Trainees.
The Dental Therapist post is offered on a full time basis of 37.5 hours over 5 days per week (less than full time would be considered)
The service provides specialist care to a wide range of children and adults with complex medical problems, learning difficulties, physical disabilities, inherited and acquired anomalies of the dentition, complex dental traumatic injuries and complex social problems.
We’re proud that our workforce - our greatest asset - strives for excellence every day in providing care and support to thousands of people living across Wakefield and North Kirklees. Mid-Yorkshire celebrates excellence and innovation. We have modern, state-of-the-art facilities and provide first class learning and development opportunities. Mid-Yorkshire is transforming, grounded in our values to care and improve, respecting our patients, our community and our staff, to deliver the highest standards of care.
If you are a dynamic, innovative and forward-thinking clinician with a passion for your profession and an enthusiasm to be part of a Trust striving to be the best, get in touch to see what a career at Mid-Yorkshire could be like for you.
Main duties
* To provide high-quality, specialist-led oral healthcare for children and adults within MYTT CDS. This will include children and adults who are anxious, have challenging behaviour management, have complex medical conditions, social concerns and/ or learning/physical disabilities.
* Provide oral health education and promotion, with a focus on prevention, underpinned by a holistic approach to oral and general healthcare.
* Diagnosing and care planning within scope and competence and referring patients to other healthcare professionals if necessary.
* To carry out all forms of periodontal and restorative treatments covered by the GDC Scope of Practice for Dental Therapists
* Appropriately prescribe, take and interpret radiographs within scope and competence
* Supply and administer specifies medicines directly to patients on completion of appropriate training.
* Care will be provided in clinics and domiciliary settings, which will involve driving between establishments and the transportation of appropriate equipment required for such visits.
* Provision of care in secure units for adults with serious mental illness if necessary.
* Provision of preventative care and advice to individual patients and their parents/carers. Occasionally this may include the provision of oral health promotion services to groups of patients, parents/carers.
* Provision of advice and emergency care to all priority groups of patients seen within MYTT CDS.
* Liaison with hospital and general dental service colleagues and other health and social care staff in order to co-ordinate the patient’s care provided by the Community Dental Service with those of other dental and general health and social care services.
* Working with health professionals and other agencies to raise awareness of the oral health needs of children and young people and to be involved in training.
* Provision of direct access working arrangements to see both routine and emergency patients
* Understanding of safeguarding and appropriate escalation of concerns
* To work as the most senior clinical member of staff without a dentist on site when necessary
* To treat patients under general anaesthetic alongside a dentist if necessary
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification to review the full requirements.
Essential person specification requirements
* Degree in Dental Therapy and Dental Hygiene or equivalent
* GDC Registration (applicants must have current UK professional registration)
* Up to date knowledge, skills and attitudes to the practice of dentistry in the UK
* Wide range of clinical experience including management of and providing dental care for patients with complex medical co-morbidities
* Understands the functions of the Community Dental Services.
* Awareness of the financial framework governing the delivery of oral health care in England and the constraints that might impose on service delivery
* Able to practice inhalation sedation independently
* Taking and reporting radiographs within scope of practice
* Audit and clinical governance
* Ability to identify own training and development needs
* Ability to teach other dental registrants within scope of practice
* Up to date medical emergencies training
* Evidence of continuing education undertaken regularly
* Demonstrates intelligent and analytical approach to problem solving.
* Possess good organisational and personal management skills
Be part of MY team
We are an acute trust caring for over one million people in Wakefield and Kirklees. Our 10,000 staff work in patients’ homes, the community, and our three hospitals in Pontefract, Dewsbury, and Pinderfields (Wakefield). We prioritise our people and values so we can deliver the best possible care to patients. Our team is friendly, passionate, and innovative, always seeking better ways to work.
We support work-life balance and foster a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone belongs. Our staff networks offer safe spaces to share ideas and concerns so we can increase awareness and appreciation of equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and especially encourage members of the LGBTQ+ community, ethnic minority groups, and people with disabilities or neurodivergence to apply, as they are currently underrepresented in the Trust.
If you value caring, high standards, improvement, and respect, join the MY team to make a difference every day.
Application guidance:
We understand that more applicants are using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to help with their applications. While these tools can be useful, they cannot fully capture your skills, knowledge, and experience. It’s important that you personalise your application. Relying solely on AI is not recommended, as it may reduce your chances of success. Our screening process is thorough, so if you have used AI, please make sure to disclose this on your application form.
Our benefits
* Access to the NHS pension plan
* Generous holiday allowance of 27 days plus bank holidays, increasing with 5 and 10 years of service
* Exceptional employee health and wellbeing services
* Extensive benefits and support, including:
* Onsite nurseries and childcare salary sacrifice scheme
* Home electronics scheme
* Cycle to work scheme - subject to eligibility criteria
* Car lease salary sacrifice scheme - subject to eligibility criteria
* Working carers support and advice, carers network and carers passport
* Flexible working options and family and carer-friendly policies
* Established staff networks, including LGBTQ+ and Race Equality
* Career progression, training and support
Skilled worker sponsorship
You can find out more about skilled worker and health and care visas on our careers site .