Overview
Go back Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust
Dental Nurse
The closing date is 15 February 2026
Are you a qualified or newly qualified Dental Nurse? Looking for a challenging role to work with Dentists at the top of their game in the NHS? In a role where each day brings new opportunities to help patients either in an emergency, or from vulnerable groups? And want the opportunity to enhance your knowledge & qualifications? Then this is the role for you.
Main duties of the job
Main Duties and Responsibilities
* Chair-side assistance for the dentist. Speed and accuracy will be required during all procedures with little or no margin for error. Preparation of filling / Impression materials, anticipating requirements of the clinician and patient. Observing and supporting the patient during treatment. You are there to always chaperone the dentist and be prepared to act as a witness.
* Follow Trust/Local infection control procedures to ensure high standards of patient safety.
* You must have a broad knowledge of health and safety issues; e.g., COSHH, RIDDOR, sharps injuries.
* Assist the dentist during the taking of x-rays, participate in quality assurance.
* If appropriate, advise the patient/parent/carer on principles of oral hygiene as directed by the dental officer.
* Follow medicine management procedures in line with Trust policy.
About us
Rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission, we are proud to provide high quality innovative services across most of the east of England that enable people to receive care closer to home and live healthier lives.
There's one reason why our services are outstanding - and that's our amazing staff who, for the seventh year running, rated us incredibly highly in the national staff survey.
If you share our passion for innovative and high-quality care delivery, then please submit your application and join us on our exciting journey as a leading-edge specialist community provider. All are welcome to apply and our promise to you is a culture which prioritises staff engagement and development.
Job responsibilities
Job Purpose
The duties of the Dental Nurse are designed to maintain clinical and professional standards within the practice by working productively within a team.
We offer comprehensive treatment for vulnerable groups subject to their meeting the service eligibility criteria which includes children with social, behavioural and emotional problems, adults with physical and learning disabilities or complex medical problems and disadvantaged groups such as those whose disabilities mean that they need to be seen in a domiciliary setting. This may involve the additional use of sedation or general anaesthesia when appropriate. We also provide an Emergency Service, IV sedation and a Minor Oral Surgery service in some of our locations.
Some of these patients may exhibit challenging behaviour. Dental HealthCare operates from several locations across Cambridge, Peterborough and Suffolk. On occasions the post holder may at times be expected to cover sickness/holiday at another location within a reasonable distance from your base.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
* Nature of work: Chair-side assistance for the dentist. Speed and accuracy will be required during all procedures with little or no margin for error. Preparation of filling / Impression materials, anticipating requirements of the clinician and patient. Observing and supporting the patient during treatment. You are there to always chaperone the dentist and be prepared to act as a witness.
* Follow Trust/Local infection control procedures to ensure high standards of patient safety.
* You must have a broad knowledge of health and safety issues; e.g., COSHH, RIDDOR, sharps injuries.
* Assist the dentist during the taking of x-rays, participate in quality assurance.
* If appropriate, advise the patient/parent/carer on principles of oral hygiene as directed by the dental officer.
* Follow medicine management procedures in line with Trust policy.
Planning and Organisation
Responsibility for the efficient and smooth day to day running of the surgery involving good dexterity skills and accuracy during procedures for the mixing of materials and the handling of fine instruments.
Use judgmental and analytical skills to anticipate the needs of clinicians and patients. Be prepared for any eventuality e.g., changes in planned treatment, medical emergencies, and act promptly to deal with these. Maintenance of stock levels, re-ordering as necessary.
Have a good knowledge of all dental equipment, its uses and its basic maintenance e.g., chair and suction units, sterilizers, handpieces, etc. Have sound knowledge of the decontamination and sterilisation procedures in line with HTM01-05
Provide administrative and nursing support when requested for organising and delivering epidemiology survey. Carry out extended duties within your scope of practice. Reception cover/administrative duties when required. Interpreting as necessary the needs of both patients and clinicians enabling situations to be dealt with promptly and efficiently.
Administrative management of day surgery general anaesthetic lists, including booking appointments and ensuring all necessary paperwork is complete. Liaise with day surgery staff, problem solving. Attend and ensure the smooth running of the list, setting up and clearing away and assisting the dentist.
Most of our patients require a lot of emotional support to persuade them to accept treatment. It must be recognised that anxiety can often be displayed as aggression.
Knowledge of computer use is essential for input of patient data, treatment planning, payment transactions and other services. Collection of charges as appropriate. Cashing up/banking, recording all necessary details. On occasions, work independently managing the department administration and giving appropriate advice when necessary.
Communication
Liaise and communicate with patients, carers, healthcare professionals, laboratory personnel, other departments, management teams etc. Liaising with external organisations hospitals, laboratories, contractors when require. Pro-active in collecting patient feedback after each patient interaction. Contribute to the Trusts internal and external communication strategies.
Budgetary and People Management
Budgetary Responsibility: Ordering of stationery, materials and equipment, maintaining in-house stock control within own capabilities. Handles cash from sale of oral hygiene products and patient income.
People Management: Supports colleagues, trainees, and agency staff to ensure that they are able to carry out their day-to-day duties. Supports local induction and training for new and existing staff members. Acts as a buddy for new members of the team, including coaching/mentoring.
Clinical and Practice Governance
Observe and maintain confidentiality; adhere to Data Protection Act and CCS policy. Ensure data shared is conducted with Trust Information Governance policies. Adhere to risk assessment, infection control policies, and maintain professional registration with GDC.
Other Requirements
Other duties that may be determined by the Team Lead/Practice Manager or management team.
General
The post holder must at all times carry out duties with regard to Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust Equal Opportunities Policy. Be aware of responsibilities to maintain a safe environment for patients, visitors and staff.
Safeguarding people responsibility
Safeguarding children and adults at risk of abuse or neglect is a collective responsibility. Staff should develop safeguarding competencies and comply with local safeguarding partnerships practice. Registrants should maintain professional duty of care. Safeguarding means protecting a citizen’s health, wellbeing and human rights; enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect.
Those most in need of protection include: Children and young people; Adults at risk, such as those receiving care at home, people with impairments, and those with learning disabilities. All post holders must adhere to confidentiality and Trust policies.
This job description is intended as a guide and flexible to respond to other duties as required within the Trust. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions) Order 1975 and disclosure checks with the DBS. The Trust is committed to equal opportunities in recruitment.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Post holder must hold the National Certificate for Dental Nurses/ or the equivalent.
* GCSE, English and maths grade C/4 and above.
* The post holder must be registered with the General Dental Council.
* Qualification in Radiography
* Qualification in Dental Sedation
Experience
* To be able to deal with difficult situations/patients under pressure within a very busy service.
* Post Holder must have sound knowledge and experience of working within an NHS Practice /Service
Knowledge & Skills
* Excellent communication/interpersonal skills.
* Effectively prioritises and co-ordinates own work.
* Work flexibly as part of a team.
* Advanced keyboard skills, ability to communicate through IT systems using packages such as Word, excel and Dentally clinical system.
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.
Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust
£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum, pro-rata
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