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Band 5 Dental Hygienist

NHS

Bury St Edmunds

On-site

GBP 29,000 - 37,000

Full time

Today
Be an early applicant

Job summary

A healthcare organization is seeking a Band 5 Dental Hygienist to deliver quality dental care at RAF Honington. The role involves providing dental treatment and education while supporting military personnel's health. Candidates must possess a GDC-approved qualification and demonstrate relevant experience. The position offers a flexible work environment with competitive compensation.

Benefits

Access to the NHS pension scheme
Free parking
Gym facilities including a pool
Paid holiday entitlement

Qualifications

  • Demonstrate required skills, knowledge, experience, qualifications, and memberships in the CV section of the application form.
  • Full UK driving licence to enable working from other local military dental centres, if required.

Responsibilities

  • Provide dental treatment and oral hygiene instruction.
  • Administration and enhancing operational capability.

Skills

Evidence of current practice as a registered dental hygienist
Confidence in using Information Technology
Prepared to cover out of hours dental duties when needed

Education

GDC-approved Certificate/Diploma in Dental Hygiene or BSc in Dental Therapy
Current full GDC registration
Job description
Band 5 Dental Hygienist

The closing date is 22 October 2025

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 intent on 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. We know just how valuable your skills are, so come join the wonderful team at our Dental Centre RAF Honington.

This role offers 37.5 hours per week and all requests to work flexibly will be considered, allowing for business needs, and reviewed annually. The salary will be pro-rata where part-time hours are undertaken.

  • A Market Skills Supplement of £5,750 per annum (pro rata)
  • As a valued member of the team, you will receive access to outstanding rewards and employee benefits, including
  • Access to the NHS pension scheme
  • On-call allowance, if applicable
  • Inclusive working environment
  • General Dental Council (GDC) Annual Fees are currently reimbursed
  • Free parking
  • Gym Facilities including a pool
  • Small shop and Costa
  • Paid holiday entitlement
Main duties of the job

Defence Primary Healthcare (DPHC) is a vibrant and fast-paced organisation which aims to provide the absolute best primary healthcare to members of the Armed Forces and other entitled personnel. DPHC delivers a clinical service in accordance with National Health Services (NHS) Standards and Ministry of Defence (MoD) policies.

You will primarily provide dental treatment, oral hygiene instruction and education, administration, enhancing force generation and operational capability and minimising dental morbidity on operations. You will also provide, if requested, clinical and administrative support for the provision of dental care in other local DPHC sites or health fairs.

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, working together seamlessly 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. In fact, with over 2,000 distinct roles working across 650 sites around the world, now really is an excellent time to join one of the largest, most exciting departments in government.

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 that recognises your expertise and contribution, both as an individual and part of a team.

Job responsibilities

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

Selection Process

The sift will be completed within 10 working days of the vacancy closing date. Interviews will be held on a date to be confirmed. The sift will be based on your CV application, once copied and pasted onto your application. Ensure you prove that you have the required skills, knowledge, experience, qualifications, and memberships in your CV, max 3 pages. Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be a useful tool to support your application; however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified, applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subjected to disciplinary action.

At interview you will be assessed via the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF):

  • 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

Copy and paste the following link to our YouTube video for advice preparing your best responses with hints and tips on answering behaviour-based questions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEpdNWKQSRI

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could affect those allowances that the post currently attracts. There will be no reimbursement for travel expenses for the interview. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. This role does not currently hold any line manager responsibilities; any changes in the future will be discussed and agreed upon with the employee. The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-civil-service-code/the-civil-service-code

Applicants who hold the qualifications but are not yet registered with the General Dental Council (GDC) and those approaching graduation are eligible to apply, but they will need to obtain the full qualification and membership requirements prior to beginning in post. For queries, contact dbscivpers-sgdmsresourcing@mod.gov.uk. All employees joining the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a 6-month probation period. Successful candidates must meet security requirements (BPSS). The post does NOT offer relocation expenses. If successful, you will need evidence of immunity to Hepatitis B.

The MOD is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment. The Smoking policy prohibits tobacco use in the Defence working environment. The Civil Service recruitment principles apply: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/recruitment-principles/ and the 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

This role does not meet the skilled worker visa sponsorship criteria. If sponsorship is required, applications will be rejected. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity, including a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS). If you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact dbscivperssgdmsresourcing@mod.gov.uk.

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. The MOD adopts a zero tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours. Pre-employment checks will be carried out. The MOD is committed to a safe and healthy working environment, including a Smoke-Free policy.

For details on our complaints procedure, please see the Important Information document attached.

Person Specification
Experience
  • A Full United Kingdom driving licence to enable working from another local military dental centres, if required
  • Evidence of current practice as a registered dental hygienist
  • Evidence of indemnity cover for general dental practice (personal indemnity preferred)
  • Evidence of currency with GDC Continued Professional Development requirements
  • Be prepared to contribute to staff development
  • Confidence in using Information Technology
  • Prepared to cover out of hours dental duties when needed
Provide a CV
  • Demonstrate required skills, knowledge, experience, qualifications, and memberships in the CV section of the application form
  • Copy and paste your full CV as your response to this question; CV max 3 pages
  • NOTE - you will not be able to upload your CV as an attachment
  • Refer to essential criteria where applicable, as applications may be rejected if information is insufficient
  • Use double spacing where possible
Registrations & Memberships
  • Provide GDC membership number
  • State if nearing completion of qualification and understand GDC membership must be obtained prior to starting
  • Include details of any current, spent or impending restrictions to practice
Qualifications
  • GDC-approved Certificate/Diploma in Dental Hygiene or BSc in Dental Therapy as listed on the GDC
  • Current full GDC registration including details of any restrictions; if not held, obtain prior to starting
Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure to be carried out by the DBS.

Defence Medical Services

£29,970 to £36,483 a year pro-rata for part time. Pay award pending.

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