Position Overview
We are inviting applications for an exciting opportunity to work as a research support worker on a NIHR funded research project "Mouth Matters in Mental Health Study" led by the University of Lancaster to test and evaluate a "support link" intervention for people with severe mental illness (SMI) who experience difficulties in attending a dentist.
Background
People with SMI often experience barriers to accessing dental care and may experience poor oral health as a result. Accessing a dentist for people with SMI can be difficult for many reasons: people can feel helpless, fearful, or demotivated about attending. They can have difficulty booking, planning, and getting to appointments and may struggle to pay for or access free dental care. Existing dental initiatives have not addressed the barriers facing this group and do not help people with SMI to attend the dentist.
We want to help people with SMI to access dental care.
Intervention
This intervention study will utilise a mental health support worker to deliver a "support link" intervention offering practical and motivational support to people with severe mental health illness around attending a dentist within the Pennine Care footprint to reduce dental health inequalities.
This is an excellent opportunity to develop research and clinical skills, and work with a multidisciplinary research team that includes clinical psychologists, mental health nurses and dentists.
You will be working with people under the care of secondary care mental health services (i.e. CMHT/EIT) and will deliver the "support link" intervention by offering motivational support and helping people to plan, book, seek financial support and attend regular dental appointments. You will receive training and supervision to deliver the "support link" intervention and you will be required to complete training in Good Clinical Practice to undertake the role. You will be expected to build relationships with clinical services to promote the "Mouth Matters in Mental Health Study" and you will encourage care coordinators to identify service users on their caseloads who are experiencing difficulties in accessing dental care to facilitate referrals into the research study.
Responsibilities
You will deliver the "support link" intervention and build relationships with the service user, dentists, and the wider research team. The role will involve a combination of visiting clinical teams, face‑to‑face visits in individuals’ homes and attending dental surgeries within the Pennine Care footprint.
Organisational Context
We are proud to provide high quality mental health and learning disability services, both inpatient and in the community across five boroughs of Greater Manchester – Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside and Glossop.
Our vision is for a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in our communities and our staff work hard to deliver the very best care for the people who use our services. We’re really proud of our #PennineCarePeople and do everything we can to make sure we’re a great place to work.
Equality and Diversity
All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership are encouraged to apply for this post. We would also encourage applications from individuals with a lived experience of mental illness, either individually or as a carer.
Benefits
If you come and work for us we will offer a range of benefits and opportunities, including:
* Generous annual leave entitlement for Agenda for Change and Medical and Dental staff.
* Flexible working opportunities to support your work/life balance.
* Access to Continued Professional Development.
* Involvement in improvement and research activities.
* Health and Wellbeing activities and access to an excellent staff wellbeing service.
* Access to staff discounts across retail, leisure and travel.
The detailed job description and person specification are available as attachments to this advertisement.
This advert closes on Friday 8 May 2026.
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