Band 4 Qualified Dental Nurse

Bedfordshire Hospitals; Bedford; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a qualified Dental Nurse to join the OMFS team at Luton & Dunstable Hospital. This permanent, full-time role offers 37.5 hours per week with potential evening and weekend shifts and NHS benefits.

The successful candidate will prepare clinical areas, assist surgeons and clinicians, and deliver high-quality patient care while supporting education and career development within a supportive Trust.

Qualifications

• Registered dental nurse with NHS AfC Band 4 eligibility.
• National Certificate in Dental Nursing completed or in scope.
• Experience in minor oral surgery and orthodontics is desirable.
• GDC registration and confidentiality awareness required.

Responsibilities

• Prepare clinical areas and instruments for surgical, orthodontic or restorative procedures.
• Assist Consultants and clinicians in procedures under local or general anaesthesia.
• Chair-side orthodontic assistance and patient oral health education.
• Support outpatient clinics and assess patient needs before treatment.
• Advise and triage patients with special needs to ensure timely care.

Skills

Post qualification experience

Minor oral surgery experience

Orthodontics experience

Confidentiality awareness

Education

National Certificate in Dental Nursing

Impression Course

Sedation Course

Job description

Main area Qualified Dental Nurse Grade NHS AfC: Band 4 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Possibility of some Evening and weekends) Job ref 418-DN16096-KA

Site Luton & Dunstable Hospital Town Luton Salary £28,392 - £31,157 Per anmum Salary period Yearly Closing 17/11/2026 23:59 Interview date 26/11/2026

Job overview

We are currently seeking highly motivated, committed and enthusiastic registered dental nurses to join our OMFS team to provide a high standard of care to patients with a variety of complex needs.

We welcome experienced or newly qualified dental nurses from NHS or private dental practices to apply for the posts.

We are committed to provide a variety of training for personal development to enhance your skills and career progression. We support work-life balance by providing flexible working opportunities which can be discussed in interview.

Main duties of the job

Prepare the clinical areas including preparation of instruments, materials and equipment required for all surgical, orthodontic or restorative procedures.

Work alongside with Consultants, Specialty Doctors and Dental Core Trainees with surgical procedure under local anaesthesia or general anaesthesia with related training and competencies completion.

Chair side assisting Orthodontist for all orthodontic treatment and provide oral health education to patients and patient’s relative.

To support Consultants and clinicians in outpatients clinics. Supporting patients for a smooth assessment by identifying special requirement or patient’s need prior to future treatment/ procedure.

Advise, triage and prioritise patients with special needs to ensure they receive appreciate care without delay in all areas.

Working for our organisation

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

-Works as an effective team member with initiatives.

-Manages own workload, co-ordinating and prioritising patient’s care. -Recognises self’s limitations and escalates for senior advice.

-Demonstrates excellent communication skills in written, verbal and non-verbal with individuals/ multidisciplinary team about patient’s care and complex issues.

-Comply with GDC code of conducts, Data Protection/ Confidentiality Acts in Trust and local policies.

-Develop the skills and competences in all areas which are required for the post within 6 months to 12 months. Staff will be assessed and identified for the learning opportunities and skills accomplishment. ----Regular review and support will be offered with the work buddy and senior colleagues.

-Regular update with the skills and knowledge by completing mandatory training such as Children & Adult Safeguarding, Basic Life Support, Manual & Handing theory and practical, Infection control, Information governance and data protection and Health & Safety online or attend workshops annually.

-Continuous personal development on dental CPD to meet with the GDC annual renewal requirement. Individual learning and personal development plan will be discussed and agreed during annual appraisal with Manager’s support.

-To participate in team building by sharing learning and work experience with colleagues in Clinical Governance Day.

Qualifications

• National Certificate in Dental Nursing
• Impression Course
• Sedation Course

Experince & Skills

• Post qualification and experience
• Experience in minor oral surgery
• Experience in orthodontics

Knowledge

• Knowledge of MOS
• Understanding of the need for confidentiality awareness
• Previous experience in hospital setting
• Previous knowledge in orthdontics

It is an exciting time to join Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. Travel between hospital sites may be required. We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Michelle Murley Job title Senior Dental Nurse Manager Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01582718061

If you have problems applying, contact

Address Luton & Dunstable Hospital NHS Trust
Lewsey Road
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU4 0DZ
Telephone [phone]