Band 5 Civilian Dental Hygienist

NHS; Blandford Forum; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization is seeking a part-time Civilian Dental Hygienist in Blandford Forum. The role offers 22.5 hours per week with flexible scheduling and a competitive salary between £31,049 to £37,796 per annum (pro-rata). Candidates must possess a Certificate/Diploma in Dental Hygiene and be registered with the GDC. Responsibilities include providing clinical support and ensuring high-quality patient care. Benefits include access to employee rewards and support for professional development.

Benefits

Market Skill Supplement of £5,750 per annum

General Dental Council annual retention fee reimbursed

Free parking

On-site coffee shop

Inclusive working environment

Qualifications

• Registered with the General Dental Council (GDC).
• Maintain a personal development plan and CPD portfolio in line with GDC requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical and administrative support for dental care.
• Deliver outstanding patient care in a modern dental practice.

Skills

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Professional, flexible, and adaptable to change

Ability to use own initiative

Excellent organisational and time management skills

Honest, trustworthy, and reliable

Friendly, approachable, and calm demeanor

Education

Certificate/Diploma in Dental Hygiene or BSc in Dental Hygiene/Therapy

Job description

Band 5 Civilian Dental Hygienist

The closing date is 09 February 2026.

Are you looking to work in a modern, patient-focused dental practice that prioritises quality care and professional development? At Defence Primary Healthcare, we are committed to providing excellent care in a friendly and encouraging environment.

When it comes to delivering outstanding patient care, our motivated dental hygienists make all the difference. Come join the wonderful team at the Dental Centre, Blandford Camp.

This role is part time, offering 22.5 hours per week. All requests to work flexibly will be considered, allowing for business needs, and reviewed annually. Hours required are Mon and Wed 08:00 - 16:30 (60 minute lunch break); the remaining 7.5 hours can be negotiated. The salary will be pro-rata for part time hours.

Benefits Include:

As a valued member of the team, you will receive access to rewards and employee benefits, including:

• A Market Skill Supplement (MSS) of £5,750 per annum or pro rota when part time hours are undertaken
• General Dental Council annual retention fee reimbursed
• Free parking
• On-site coffee shop and small convenience store
• Inclusive working environment

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will provide clinical and administrative support for the provision of dental care in Defence Primary Healthcare (DPHC) Dental (D) to enhance force generation and operational capability and minimise dental morbidity on operations.

About us

Here at Defence Primary Healthcare (DPHC), we are an inclusive and dedicated organisation working to provide excellent care to our entitled personnel.

Our success depends on our people — our Whole Force regular and reservist military, civil servants and contractors, all working as one to deliver for us.

Our civil servants are a central part of this Whole Force, developing strategy, making policy, supporting ministerial decision-making and Parliamentary processes. With over 2,000 roles across 650 sites around the world, joining one of the largest, most exciting departments in government is an excellent opportunity.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to attracting and retaining people from across the full range of backgrounds and enabling flexible ways of working as the norm. We offer maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks full pay followed by 13 weeks of statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid, and paternity leave of 2 weeks full pay.

In return, you can expect a department that helps you learn and develop, recognising your expertise and contribution both as an individual and as part of a team.

Job responsibilities

It is important that you read the attached job description/person specification prior to applying to understand all duties required by Civilian Dental Hygienist within DPHC.

Selection Process

At application stage you will be assessed against the following:

• CV: demonstrate required skills, knowledge, experience, qualifications and memberships in the CV section of the application form
• Provide information on how you meet the criteria in the Job Description and examples of similar tasks or skills

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application; all examples and statements must be truthful and taken from your own experience. Plagiarism or misrepresentation may result in withdrawal of the application.

At interview you will be assessed against the following Technical Skills:

• NHS Core NHSC1 Communication
• NHS Core NHSC2 Personal & People Development
• NHS Core NHSC3 Health, Safety & Security
• NHS Core NHSC4 Service Improvement
• NHS Core NHSC5 Quality
• NHS Core NHSC6 Equality and Diversity

The interview may include direct questions and clinical scenario-based questions. The sift will be completed within 10 working days of the vacancy closing date. Interviews will be held on a date to be confirmed. There will be no reimbursement for travel expenses for the interview.

All employees joining Ministry of Defence who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a 6-month probation period effective from the employment start date.

Successful candidates must meet security requirements before appointment. The level of security needed is a security check. Access to the NHS pension scheme is available to the successful candidate.

If found successful for this position, you will be required to provide evidence of immunity to Hepatitis B. Vaccination evidence alone is not sufficient; serology levels will be required. Failure to provide sufficient evidence may result in the offer of employment being withdrawn.

Applicants approaching graduation are eligible to apply, but must obtain full qualification and membership requirements prior to starting. For queries, contact [e-mail].

There is no requirement to deploy as this is met by Uniformed personnel, but you will form the continuity of care required by patients when based at home.

The post does NOT offer relocation expenses. Non-Standard move applicants may be eligible for the full package, subject to eligibility. A pay-related allowances review may impact the post’s current allowances.

As of 1 January 2021, sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points-based system is limited to business-critical roles. This role does not meet that category, and we will not sponsor a visa. It is NOT open to applicants who require sponsorship. If sponsorship is required, the application will be rejected and any provisional offer withdrawn.

This vacancy is part of the A Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact [e-mail].

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview and before a formal offer of employment. The MOD adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, including bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. Pre-employment checks will be carried out. The Defence working environment policy prohibits smoking, with the policy applying to all personnel and visitors.

Person Specification

Registration and Memberships

• Provide your GDC registration number.
• Indicate if you are nearing completion of your qualification and understand you must obtain GDC membership prior to starting.
• Include details on any current, spent or impending restrictions to practice.
• Civilian Dental Hygienists must maintain a personal development plan and CPD portfolio in line with GDC requirements.

Qualifications

• Hold a Certificate/Diploma in Dental Hygiene or BSc in Dental Hygiene/Therapy.

Experience

• Be professional, flexible, and adaptable to change; prioritise effectively
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to use own initiative and work as part of a team
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Honest, trustworthy, and reliable; able to work under pressure
• Friendly, approachable, and calm demeanor; able to empathise and reassure

Provide a CV

• Copy and paste your full CV in your response; CV attachments may not be accepted.
• Ensure you address essential criteria to aid shortlisting.
• Use double spacing where possible.

Behaviour Statement

• Disclose any history of gross misconduct, or indicate if none. Answer Yes or No as appropriate.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and requires a Disclosure check.

Ministry of Defence (Defence Medical Services) — £31,049 to £37,796 per annum (pro rata for part time).