Overview
This post will be one day per week. The successful applicant will undertake duties in the Oral & Maxillofacial Outpatient Department and in Community Hospitals. They will carry out a range of tasks involving direct and indirect care for the benefit of the patients in accordance with clearly defined occupational policies and agreed departmental protocols. The post holder will be responsible for ensuring that all policies and procedures are observed and meet CTMUHB requirements, as well as General Dental Council (GDC) Standards and Code of Conduct.
Responsibilities
* Provide dental care for patients with complex medical, physical and mental health needs, including Head and Neck Oncology patients.
* Provide an Oral Health Programme for Head and Neck patients, both working autonomously and under a written prescription from a Dentist as per General Dental Council Scope of Practice.
* Be responsible for maintaining high standards of patient care, confirmation of consent, medical history and clinical governance.
* Be responsible for the development and implementation of policies where appropriate and ensuring that all policies and procedures are adhered to.
* Provide support and clinical supervision of junior staff, including students, dental undergraduates and junior oral health practitioners.
* Be responsible for maintaining accurate, current, comprehensive and concise records concerning the condition of the client, in accordance with GDC Standards and the UHB's Patient Record Policy.
* Conform to guidance provided by the General Dental Council for the role of a Dental Therapist.
* Liaise with appropriate Clinical Specialists (Doctors, Dentists, Speech and Language Therapists, Dieticians and Clinical Nurse Specialists) in relation to individual patient requirements and planned programmes of care. Develop and formulate specialised long-term treatment plans for complex patient groups (in particular head and neck cancer patients), liaising with primary care clinicians to ensure access to care with primary care dental teams or oversee a shared care approach between primary and secondary care.
* Monitor the dental health of all patients, assess developments in the patient's dental health, record findings and report to senior team members when required.
* Undertake treatment clinics, including situations requiring limited access (e.g., trismus), and treat patients with complex needs.
* Demonstrate precise motor skills to treat extensive dental caries in head and neck cancer patients, including post-radiotherapy cases, and operate under magnification when appropriate.
* Prescribe, take and interpret dental radiographs within expected competence, following Ionising Radiation Regulations and IRMER requirements.
* Participate in the delivery of evidence-based patient care, ensuring consistency and continuity in care quality.
* Attend the head and neck oncology multidisciplinary team clinic on a weekly basis when required, demonstrating empathy and compassion to patients.
* Communicate diagnoses and break dental bad news to patients in a clear and understandable manner for a non-dentally trained audience.
* Act independently within CTMUHB, referring to supervisory management as appropriate and using resources within the area to optimum effect.
* Develop policy and service development within the dental therapy scope, collaborating with dental clinicians and other specialist areas such as cancer nurse specialists and multidisciplinary teams where changes may affect services.
* Alongside consultants and unit manager, prepare and produce new standard operating procedures relating to dental therapy where appropriate and implement existing SOPs.
* Deliver teaching programmes for primary care dental teams within the Health Board area for long-term primary care management of head and neck cancer patients.
* Maintain the local digital restorative dentistry patient database for secondary care restorative services.
* Participate in audits and clinical governance activities, supporting and implementing changes in patient care, policy and services.
* Understand the function, care and maintenance of equipment used for treatments, adhering to Health and Safety and Medical Device Agency requirements.
* Assemble and dismantle dental equipment and report faults in a timely manner.
* Adhere to risk management protocols including sharps disposal and disposal of hazardous substances to minimise risks to patients and staff.
* Manage complex clinical and management situations requiring analysis, interpretation, assessment and presentation of options.
* Communicate complex condition-specific information effectively using strong verbal and written language.
* Maintain freedom to act within established parameters.
Additional information
We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome applications from individuals within protected groups as outlined in the Equality Act 2010. This includes, but is not limited to, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/reassignment, race/nationality, religion/belief, disability, pregnancy and maternity, and marriage and civil partnership. We also warmly welcome applications from members of the Armed Forces community. Applicants who are not UK or Republic of Ireland nationals will require sponsorship to obtain either a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa unless they already hold permission to work via another route. Prospective applicants should self-assess their eligibility for sponsorship by visiting the UK Government's Work in the UK guidance. For eligible candidates, the Health and Care Visa offers reduced application costs and exempts payment of the annual Immigration Health Surcharge. Please check your email regularly, as recruitment correspondence will be sent to the email address provided on your application form. Applications are welcome in Welsh or English with no language preference. We reserve the right to close a vacancy early or withdraw an advertisement to accommodate redeployment of internal staff. All posts are subject to relevant checks, including a Disclosure and Barring Service check and, where required, professional registration verification. We are proud to be a Living Wage Employer.
Welsh Skills Desirable: This post is advertised as Welsh Desirable. This does not mean essential; while the candidate does not need Welsh skills, it is advantageous when short-listing and selecting candidates. This is not fluency, just speaking and listening skills at Level 3 (equivalent to CEFR B2) or above. Level 3 means basic conversations with patients about everyday health. For more information, see "Welsh Language Guidance" in the documents at the bottom.
Located in the heart of South Wales, we are central to Cardiff, Newport, and Swansea. We are dedicated to providing compassionate patient care and building healthier communities together. At CTM, you will be part of a supportive, inclusive team from diverse nations, cultures, and backgrounds. Every role counts, every person matters, and together we are creating a space where everyone can thrive. To learn more about working with us, visit CTM Join. Applications are invited for a Dental Therapist in Restorative Dentistry based at Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil, with duties also performed at Royal Glamorgan Hospital. The Restorative Dentistry Service is part of the Maxillo-facial Department, which includes Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Surgery and Orthodontics. CTM University Health Board is part of NHS Wales and serves a large population across a diverse region.
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