Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our clinical team as a Specialist in Special Care Dentistry. Plymouth Community Dental Services (PCDS) is one of the largest specialist NHS dental providers in Plymouth, delivering high‑quality care to patients who are unable to access treatment through a general dental practice. Our multidisciplinary team of over 50 staff includes administrators, dental nurses, dental therapists, dentists, specialists, and management professionals - all working together to provide compassionate, patient‑focused care.
The successful candidate will be joining an established team of specialists in Special Care Dentistry, Paediatric Dentistry and Oral Surgery. PCDS is an integrated community dental service where specialists across all domains work seamlessly together to provide holistic patient care. All specialists are well supported by a team of forward‑thinking and passionate senior clinicians, junior clinicians, dental therapists and dental trainees undertaking both formal and informal training pathways.
PCDS has a strong ethos of training and education, all in a supportive and friendly environment. We have recently undertaken an extensive surgery refurbishment programme, to provide our clinicians with modern and reliable facilities, which include an OPG, access to CBCT facilities, surgical handpieces, a wheelchair tipper and a recovery room for our patients receiving sedation.
Main duties of the job
* Providing a full range of high‑quality dentistry for adults with complex needs who meet Tier 3 complexity in Special Care Dentistry. PCDS provides treatment on referral, shared care and ongoing care for people whose additional needs prevent them from accessing treatment in general dental services (GDS).
* When suitable, treatment may be provided for patients under inhalation, intravenous or transmucosal sedation, and under general anaesthesia in a tertiary hospital setting including designated special care dentistry lists, learning disability lists and additional medical lists as required.
* Working alongside and being supported by a fellow specialist in Special Care Dentistry, managing complex patients and shaping the provision of Special Care provision for PCDS.
* Supporting the development and education of junior colleagues undertaking formal and informal training programmes, with protected time for this and patient‑related administration.
About us
PCDS is a subsidiary of Livewell Southwest, an independent, award‑winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs.
As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values, kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while empowering staff and those we serve.
We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead healthy, independent lives.
We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programmes, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship programmes ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.
Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental health, neuro‑diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the Recruiting Manager.
Job responsibilities
* Maintain GDC specialist registration and hold an NHS performer list number.
* Have a personal development plan and pursue relevant continual professional development.
* Provide a full range of high‑quality dentistry for adults with complex needs (Tier 3) on referral, shared care and ongoing care.
* Provide treatment under intravenous, transmucosal and inhalation sedation. Complete Immediate Life Support annually (funded by PCDS).
* Provide treatment under general anaesthesia in a tertiary hospital setting, including designated special care dentistry lists, learning disability lists and additional medical lists as required.
* Support urgent care services as appropriate.
* Offer high‑quality clinical education and supervision to dentists in formal and informal training pathways.
* Support the sedation lead in delivering training in conscious sedation.
* Assist in the appraisal process for Senior Dental Officers (Band B) in a Special Care role.
* Serve as educational/clinical supervisor of specialty trainees in the special care dentistry training programme.
* Contribute to the educational programme of undergraduate dental, dental hygiene, and therapy students, including lectures at the dental school and clinical observation opportunities.
* Provide professional guidance and assistance to health and social care professionals.
* Collaborate with dental care providers within GDS and secondary care.
* Collaborate with the Clinical Lead and specialists to develop the special care dental service.
* Triage special care dentistry referrals from general dental professionals and other health and social care professionals.
* Be flexible to provide services across both PCDS sites and University Hospital Plymouth sites, as per service requirements.
* Participate in the Southwest Special Care Dentistry MCN and engage with regional peer review groups.
* Engage in clinical audit, peer review, and other clinical governance activities.
* Complete and maintain level 3 adult safeguarding training and refer adults at risk via local safeguarding pathways; support colleagues with safeguarding concerns.
* Require a Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Person Specification
Experience (Essential)
* Excellent clinical skills with broad experience of primary dental care.
* Experience in multidisciplinary management of special care patients including treatments under sedation and general anaesthesia.
* Experience of working in primary and secondary dental care settings relevant to special care dentistry including domiciliary setting.
* Effective participation in clinical audit, service evaluations and quality improvement programmes; ability to critically appraise scientific literature.
* Evidence of relevant CPD.
* Experience of teaching at postgraduate and undergraduate level.
* Evidence of training in education and/or clinical supervision.
* Experience in day‑to‑day clinical management of a special care dentistry team.
Experience (Desirable)
* Experience of line management and completing appraisals; constructive feedback, staff development.
* Leading research and/or quality improvement and/or service development projects relevant to Special Care Dentistry; participation in clinical research and publications.
* Experience in supervising specialty trainees and/or dentists on postgraduate training pathways.
Qualifications (Essential)
* Primary dental qualification such as BDS or equivalent.
* Possession of Intercollegiate Membership in Special Care Dentistry or on the GDC’s special care dentistry specialist list by equivalence.
* Full registration with the United Kingdom General Dental Council (GDC).
* On the Special Care Dentistry Specialist list with the GDC (or eligible within 6 months).
* On (or eligible for) NHS Performers List.
Qualifications (Desirable)
* Other relevant postgraduate qualification in special care dentistry or equivalent (e.g., MSc, PhD, postgraduate qualifications in sedation).
* Clinical education qualification.
* Qualification or evidence of further training in healthcare leadership and management.
Personal Attributes (Essential)
* Knowledge of wider NHS legislation and governance as it applies to dental specialties.
* Communication skills: demonstrates clarity in written and spoken communication and capacity to adapt language as appropriate; ability to build rapport, listen, persuade and negotiate.
* Problem‑solving and decision‑making: capacity to use logical/lateral thinking to solve problems and make decisions.
* Managing others and team involvement: capacity to work effectively with others, supervise junior dental staff.
* Empathy and sensitivity: capacity to take in others' perspectives and treat patients with understanding.
* Organisation and planning: capacity to manage and prioritise time, information and own workload.
* Disability awareness: capacity to work and interact confidentially, effectively and fairly with all colleagues and patients regardless of any physical or mental disability.
* Equality awareness: demonstrates attitudes and behaviours that recognise and promote equality for all.
* Vigilance and situational awareness: capacity to monitor developing situations and anticipate issues.
* Coping with pressure: capacity to operate under pressure, with initiative and resilience to adapt to changing circumstances.
Personal Attributes (Desirable)
* Experience of line management and completing appraisals; constructive feedback and staff development.
* Leading research and/or quality improvement and/or service development projects relevant to Special Care Dentistry; participation in clinical research and publications.
* Experience in supervising specialty trainees and/or dentists on postgraduate training pathways.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (currently known as CRB) to check for any previous convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website.
Job locations
The Dental Access Centre
Baring Street
Plymouth
PL4 8NF
Scott Dental Clinic
Beacon Park Road
Plymouth
PL2 2PQ
Employer details
Livewell Southwest
The Dental Access Centre
Baring Street
Plymouth
PL4 8NF
Employer website: https://www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Reference number
B9832-2526-049
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Flexible working
Pay scheme
Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade
Specialist
Salary
£97,768 to £112,360 a year
Details of posting date
15 October 2025
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