Community Dental Therapist

NHS; Llanelli; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 49,000; Part time

Job summary

NHS in Llanelli is seeking a Community Dental Therapist to join the Community Dental Service. The role focuses on delivering high-quality, preventative dental care to children, young people and vulnerable groups from a stable base at Elizabeth Williams Clinic, with possible outreach across the locality.

The post requires independent clinical practice, Welsh language skills are desirable, and the ability to travel between sites may be needed. Interviews on 30/11/2026.

Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma in Dental Therapy & Hygiene.
• Post graduate certificate in an extended duty in dental therapy (e.g. health promotion, special needs, radiography, sedation).
• GDC registration and professional indemnity arrangements.
• Understanding of GDP and Hospital Services and Direct Access where applicable.

Responsibilities

• Deliver dental therapy within the Community Dental Service.
• Work under Direct Access and PGDs with appropriate clinical governance.
• Develop and review treatment plans within GDC scope and patient needs.
• Maintain accurate patient records and provide preventive advice.

Education

Degree/Diploma in Dental Therapy & Hygiene

Post Graduate certificate in extended duty in dental therapy

GDC Registration

Knowledge of GDP & Hospital Services

Job description

Main area Dental Grade Band 6 Contract Permanent Hours Part time - 22.5 hours per week (Monday, Thursday & Friday) Job ref 100-PST013-0226-B

Employer Hywel Dda University Health Board Employer type NHS Site Elizabeth Williams Clinic Town Llanelli Salary £40,559 - £48,841 pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 22/11/2026 23:59

Our Hywel Dda values reflect who we are and how we behave. We continuously work together to be the best we can be as we strive to develop and deliver excellent services, putting people at the heart of everything we do. Throughout our recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you would demonstrate these values in the way that you work with us.

Job overview

We are seeking a committedCommunity Dental Therapistto join our Community Dental Service inCarmarthenshire. This role offers a meaningful opportunity to deliver high‑quality, preventative‑focused dental care tochildren, young people, and vulnerable members of the community.

The post will beprimarily based at Elizabeth Williams Clinic, Llanelli, providing a stable clinical base. However, there may be an expectation tooccasionally deliver care in community settingsacross the locality, supporting outreach services and improving access for those most in need.

You will play a key role in improving oral health outcomes through patient‑centred care, early intervention, and education, while working closely with dentists and dental nurses as part of a multidisciplinary team. The ideal candidate will be motivated by reducing oral health inequalities, confident in independent clinical practice, and committed to delivering compassionate, professional care across diverse settings.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will:

• Apply knowledge ofcommunity dental patient pathwaysto deliver safe, effective, and best‑practice care within the Community Dental Service.
• Work underDirect Access arrangementsand in accordance with Health BoardPatient Group Directives (PGDs).
• Adhere to theGDC Code of Conduct, professional standards, ethics of the dental team, and meet allcore CPD requirements.
• Develop, maintain, and reviewaccurate and comprehensive treatment plans, ensuring care remains within the GDC scope of practice and tailored to individual patient needs.
• Undertake ongoing patient assessment, including consent, medical and social history, and update clinical systems as required.
• Use professional judgement to adapt treatment plans where necessary, including delivering additional treatment within the permitted scope of practice to achieve optimal clinical outcomes.
• Provide clear and effectivepreventative advice, including oral hygiene instruction and dietary counselling.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential patient records in line withHywel Dda University Health Board policiesand GDC requirements.

Contribute positively to a team‑based approach to care, supporting improved access to dental services and the promotion oforal health equity across the community.

Working for our organisation

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.

We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.

We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.

Our services are provided in:

• Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
• Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
• Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
• 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
• Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Interviews will be held on 30/11/2026

Person specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

• Degree/Diploma in Dental Therapy & Hygiene
• Post Graduate certificate in at least one extended duty in dental therapy (e.g. Health promotion, special needs, radiography, sedation)
• GDC Registration
• Knowledge of specialist dental equipment and the associated legal responsibilities
• Knowledge of Clinical Governance and participation in Audit
• Conversant with basic life support, resuscitation techniques and management of medical emergencies.
• Understanding of national trends relevant to assessment and intervention within the clinical and oral health improvement.
• Awareness of the CDS client criteria and its role.
• Knowledge of GDP and Hospital Services.
• Competency to operate under Direct Access
• Knowledge of the oral health initiative programmes
• Able to complete post graduate training in inhalation sedation to enable the provision of dental care with sedation.

Experience

• Clinical experience in domiciliary, mobile dental unit or school setting environments
• Experience in prioritising clinical needs
• Evidence of working within a multi-agency team.
• Risk assessment in relation to patient management
• Experience of working within remit of Direct Access
• Experience in hospital dental service, Community Dental Service or General Dental Practice.

Other

• Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner
• Professional Indemnity Insurance
• Ability to carry equipment for domiciliary visits such as dental chair, portable light, medical emergency equipment, defibrillator, oxygen cylinder and portable suction unit.
• Ability to assist in manoeuvring patients in accordance with manual handling policies.
• Welsh Speaker (Level 1)

Hywel Dda University Health Board operates a bilingual policy. All applicants are invited to apply in Welsh, any application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application made in English.

To work in the UK, all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship to obtain either a Health and Care visa or Skilled Worker visa, unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply should self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship by visiting Work in the UK . If you are eligible for the Health and Care visa, application costs are lower and you do not need to pay the annual Immigration Health Surcharge.

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.