Community Dental Officer

Southern Health and Social Care Trust; Dungannon; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Health and Social Care Trust invites applications for a community dental service role. The post involves delivering a complete range of dental care, including inhalation sedation or general anaesthesia where appropriate, across community, hospital or domiciliary settings.

Applicants should hold GDC registration, have 2+ years post-qualification experience, and possess a full driving license. A flexible, patient-centered approach and strong communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Hold a recognised Professional Dental Qualification.
• Have Full Registration with General Dental Council (GDC).
• Have a minimum of 2 years post-qualification dental clinical experience.
• Hold a full current driving license valid for use in Northern Ireland and have access to a car on appointment.
• Ability to use own initiative, be reliable and approachable.

Responsibilities

• Provide a treatment service for priority groups including children and adults with complex needs.
• Conduct Oral Health Assessments for specified groups on a yearly basis or more frequently if needed.
• Liaise with general dental practitioners, general medical practitioners and hospital consultants including anaesthetists.

Skills

Excellent communication

Planning & organisation

Initiative & reliability

MS Office & word processing

Education

Professional Dental Qualification

GDC registration

2+ years post-qualification experience

Full driving license

Job description

Branch: Southern HSC Trust area (SHSCT)

Location: Armagh & Dungannon / Dungannon

Directorate: Children & Young People's Services

Contract Type: Permanent

Closes: Thu, 26 November 2026 @ 12:30 PM

Interview Dates: Week commencing 14 December 2026 (subject to change).

Job Summary

To provide a complete range of services, as defined in the annual contract for the Community Dental Service. This may include providing comprehensive dental care under inhalation sedation or general anaesthesia where appropriate. Dental care may be provided in community, hospital or domiciliary settings and a flexible approach will be required in responding to the clinical care needs of these patients.

Key Duties/Responsibilities

• To provide a treatment service for priority groups, including children and adults with a learning disability, a physical disability which interferes with dental care, compromising medical conditions, severe behaviour management problems, excessive fear or phobia, severe and complex mental health problems, geographically isolated requiring care at home, or frail older people (this list is not exhaustive other priority groups may be identified).
• Oral Health Assessment for specified groups such as, those with a learning disability, older people and others as required on a yearly basis or more frequently if appropriate.
• To liaise with general dental practitioners, general medical practitioners and hospital consultants, including anaesthetists, on matters affecting the provision of dental services.
• To provide dental treatment under general anaesthesia as required, in accordance with national and local guidelines.
• To provide dental treatment under inhalation sedation as required, in accordance with national and local guidelines.
• To provide domiciliary dental services as required.
• To actively promote oral health as an integral and important part of general health promotion efforts.
• To ensure smooth running of the clinic and the health and safety of those who use it and to notify as soon as possible his/her line manager of any accidents/incidents which occur within the workplace.
• To maintain and update knowledge on policies and procedures as well as current best clinical practice.
• To lead/participate in clinical audit.
• To supervise and direct auxiliary staff by delegating appropriate responsibility whilst retaining overall responsibility and accountability for results.
• To maintain records to meet professional standards and submit statistical returns.
• To use initiative, remain flexible regarding working arrangements, and make/recommend changes required to meet the changing needs of the service.
• To comply with all requirements as specified in policies and procedures laid down by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust.

Essential Criteria

• Hold a recognised Professional Dental Qualification.
• Have Full Registration with General Dental Council as a qualified dentist.
• Have a minimum of 2 years post-qualification dental clinical experience.
• Hold a full current driving license valid for use in Northern Ireland and have access to a car on appointment.
• Ability to use own initiative, be reliable and approachable.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills, experience of Word Processing and Microsoft Office software.
• Excellent communication skills. Must have full understanding of spoken and written English.
• Ability to demonstrate excellent inter-personal skills and develop good working relationships.
• Knowledge of the Community Dental Service / current issues in dentistry and the National Health Service.

Desirable Criteria

• Have 4 years post-qualification dental clinical experience.
• Experience / knowledge of Inhalation sedation.
• Experience / knowledge of patients with additional/special care needs.
• Hold a relevant post graduate qualification.
• Have understanding of domiciliary dentistry and the challenges involved in delivering care.

Successful applicants

• May be required to attend for a Health Assessment.
• Can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary within the range may be available if the person appointed has relevant and equivalent experience.
• Are able to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment, including Full-time working, Fixed working patterns, Part-time working, Flexi-time, Job-share or Homeworking for some or all of the working pattern, depending on the role.

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for The Organisation to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed. The Organisation is an equal opportunities employer.

Together, improving care, transforming lives