Dental Nurse

Are you a dental nurse looking for a new challenge? Do you want to make a contribution to the NHS and the provision of dental care in your local community?

This role is a 9 month fixed-term, maternity cover post. (post ends October 2025).

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic dental nurse to join the Primary Care Dental Services (PCDS). Our highly experienced team provides oral health care for patients with special health care needs at sites across Bristol, Bath and Weston.

Main duties of the job

As part of the team, you will be responsible for providing clinical chairside support for colleagues with a varied skill mix. Some of main responsibilities include processing dental instruments, daily testing and documentation of decontamination processes and equipment.

The role also involves some added administrative duties such as supporting the reception area when required.

The ability to work across the different community dental practices as required is essential. Some experience of working with our patient groups is desirable but not essential.

Person specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential criteria

• National certificate in Dental Nursing or NVQ level 3 Dental Nursing qualification
• Valid GDC registration

Desirable criteria

• Post registration qualification in Conscious Sedation, Special Care Dentistry, Oral Health Education, Dental Radiography, Implantology or Orthodontics
• Completion of enhanced dental nurse courses such as fluoride application

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria

• Able to work effectively with others as part of a team
• Ability to work under instruction and show initiative by prioritising and organising workload
• Competent in operating a computer
• Good communication skills
• Ability to prioritise
• Ability to carry out routine/repetitive activities
• Ability to stand for long periods of time
• Dexterity – ability to handle/manoeuvre equipment/instruments across a wide range of sizes, weights and environments
• Manual handling – ability to manoeuvre trolleys and instrumentation boxes in line with trust policy

Aptitudes

Essential criteria

• Good communication and interpersonal skills at all levels
• Enthusiastic, highly motivated, and able to inspire others
• Ability to manage self and exhibit skills, including self-awareness, self-management, and drive for improvement
• Analytical
• Able to use own initiative
• Personal Resilience
• Flexibility e.g. changing rota duties
• Able to work under pressure to meet deadlines
• Team Player
• Innovative

Knowledge and experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of a range of dental nursing work procedures and practices

Desirable criteria

• Experience of assisting with a diverse range of patients
• Experience of a variety of settings i.e., hospital, community clinic, NHS/Private Practice

What do we offer to you?

Apart from getting work within a friendly and supportive team:

• Training and development opportunities
• Highly rewarding job working with patients with additional needs
• Industry leading pension scheme
• Access to an ample Wellbeing offer

Contract: Fixed term: 9 months (from November 2024 - October 2025)

Hours: Part time - 22.5 hours per week