Band 4 Dental Nurse
The closing date is 19 March 2026
We have an exciting opportunity for a motivated, adaptable, and hardworking individual with strong interpersonal and collaborative skills to join our dedicated and encouraging team within the Defence Primary Healthcare (DPHC) HMS Nelson.
Are you confident, reliable, and resourceful? Do you have a phenomenal work ethic, excellent communication skills and a desire to deliver the best clinical care and education to your patients? If so, we would love to hear from you!
This position is 37.5 hours a week and requests to work flexibly or part-time will be considered in accordance with business needs.
Benefits
* Paid holiday entitlement (plus Bank and Public Holidays)
* Continuous Professional Development (CPD) training supplied
* On‑site free parking
* Access to gym at a reduced rate
* General Dental Council (GDC) Annual Retention Fee (ARF) reimbursed
* On‑call allowance, if applicable
* Inclusive working environment
* Learning and development opportunities
Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay‑related allowances which could impact the allowances currently associated with this post.
About Us
The Ministry of Defence is committed to attracting and retaining people from all backgrounds and to enabling flexible ways of working. We offer maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks full pay followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and 13 weeks unpaid, and paternity leave of 2 weeks full pay.
Our civil servants are central to the Whole Force, working alongside military, contractors and volunteers to deliver national capabilities. With over 2,000 roles across 650 sites worldwide, now is an excellent time to join one of the largest and most exciting departments in government.
Job Responsibilities
* Provide clinical and administrative support for the provision of dental care in the Defence Primary Healthcare (Dental) centres, enhancing force generation and operational capability while minimising dental morbidity on operations.
* Ensure surgeries are prepared appropriately for patient visits in accordance with current regulations.
* Prepare, mix, and handle dental materials in line with manufacturers’ instructions and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations.
* Provide chairside support to the operator for all operative procedures.
* Meet the needs of patients by supervising, supporting and reassuring each individual, providing appropriate advice when required.
* Work collaboratively with professional colleagues in the best interests of patients.
Selection Process
* Application stage: CV assessment against skills, knowledge, experience, qualifications and memberships. Personal details must be removed from the CV.
* Interview: Technical skills assessment covering NHS Core NHSC1–NHSC6 competencies and may include direct questions and scenario‑based questions.
* Legal and compliance checks include disclosure and barring service and a proof of Hepatitis B immunity.
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however all examples and statements provided must be truthful and taken directly from your own experience. Plagiarism or false statements may result in withdrawal of the application or a disciplinary action.
Interviews will be held on a date to be confirmed. The sift will be completed within 10 working days of the vacancy closing date. There will be no reimbursement for travel expenses to the interview.
Requests to work flexibly or part‑time will be considered in accordance with business needs. Salary will be pro‑rata for part‑time hours.
Person Specification
* Membership registration number must be provided; required to be registered with the relevant professional body before submitting the application.
* All applicants must meet security requirements (security check).
* Successful candidates must be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC) before starting the post. Candidates who hold the required qualifications but are not yet registered may apply; registration must occur prior to commencement.
* Proof of Hepatitis B immunity (serology levels) is required.
* The post is not deployable; continuity of care is expected when based at home.
Qualifications
* National Examining Board for Dental Nurses (NEBDN) Certificate or NVQ in Oral Health Care Dental Nursing Level 3.
* Must be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC).
Provide a CV
* Copy and paste your full CV in the application response; attachments are not accepted.
* Refer to the essential criteria where applicable; insufficient information may lead to rejection.
* Use double spacing where possible.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975; Disclosure and Barring Service submission will be required to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Workplace Policies
* The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, including bullying, harassment, discrimination and victimisation. Applicants dismissed for such behaviours within the last five years or with a pending adverse decision will be ineligible.
* All staff are subject to a smoke‑free working environment policy. Smoking and the use of all tobacco products are prohibited anywhere in the Defence working environment.
Equality Statement
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. The Defence Medical Services is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
Applicants requiring assistance or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process should contact dbscivpers-sgdmsresourcing@mod.gov.uk.
Visa and Sponsorship
The Ministry of Defence will only offer a skilled worker visa under the points‑based system for roles deemed business critical. This role does not meet that category, so we will not sponsor a visa. The post is therefore not open to applicants requiring sponsorship.
Salary
£27,485 to £30,162 a year plus RRA £1,500 (pro‑rata for part‑time).
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