Senior Dental Officer
SDO £84,180 - £98,460 per annum
Plus Distant Islands Allowance £1,406 per annum
37.5 hours per week
Permanent post
An opportunity has arisen for a Senior Dental Officer post within the Uist and Barra Hospital Dental Hub; a well furnished and recently opened 4 surgery clinic servicing the Uist Island population and second largest PDS site within NHS Western Isles, based within the Uist and Barra Hospital in Benbecula.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual to join the Senior Dental Team to contribute to improving service delivery, improvement and progression. Leadership, support and mentorship of the clinical team will be a pivotal role to the department, as well as providing direct clinical care to PDS groups, particularly in the care of Priority Groups as well as the wider GDS population. Other key responsibilities will include referrals management and co-ordination of care to patients; input into operational and strategic matters and active participation in clinical governance. The post holder will be expected to provide leadership to the Southern Isles Dental Team to improve access to General Dental Services, as well as strive for equitable access to specialised Dental Services. Clinical and non-clinical time will be determined through job planning, with the expectation of 1 session per week dedicated to non-clinical time.
You will be supported by the Senior Management Team with the opportunity to develop your clinical interests in line with service need. Known as Scotland’s Atlantic Islands, the Western Isles are steeped in history and culture, with stunning landscapes, spectacular coastlines, a strong sense of community and identity, and renowned Hebridean hospitality. For those with young families, the Western Isles also offer a safe place to live, a high-quality education system with low levels of crime.
Allowances Payable
• Distant Islands Allowance of £1,406 per annum
• Remote Areas Allowance: $4,500/ annum for years 1-3; £9,000/annum for years 3+ pro rata
• Recruitment and Retention Allowance of £25,000 paid over 2 years (subject to eligibility as set out in PCA (D) (2022)2).
• Out of Hours Allowance and on-call payment for undertaking on call duties • Up to 33 days annual leave per annum plus 8 public holidays (dependent on NHS service)
The successful applicant will be required to register with the PVG Scheme (Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme). This post is not eligible for relocation expenses.
All NHS Western Isles vacancies appear on the NHS Scotland website:, along with a job description.
If you have any further queries, please contact Tel: 01851 762027.
CLOSING DATE: 23/10/2025