Dental Healthcare Assistant

NHS; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Liverpool is seeking a dedicated Dental Healthcare Assistant to support dental care delivery. The role includes assisting registered Dental Nurses, providing direct patient care, and maintaining a clean environment. Prior experience in a caring role and strong communication skills are essential. Join us in delivering high-quality care to our community.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a caring role is required.
• Strong communication skills in written and spoken word are essential.
• Ability to manage tasks effectively in a busy environment.

Responsibilities

• Carry out assigned tasks delivering direct patient care.
• Assist in delivering patient care, including preparation of instruments.
• Participate in maintaining accurate patient records.
• Support patients with personal care, ensuring dignity is maintained.
• Maintain a clean and safe environment in all areas.

Skills

Basic Computer Skills

Demonstrable ability to undertake required clerical duties

Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships

Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team

Job description

Go back Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Dental Healthcare Assistant

The closing date is 18 November 2025

Liverpool University Dental Hospital provides dental care to patients across all specialities incorporating undergraduate, postgraduate and specialist service activity. Under the supervision and direction of a Registered Dental Nurse, the post holder will assist the department team in providing the highest possible standard of basic care for patients and their families/carer.

Main duties of the job

• Carry out assigned tasks in delivering and supporting direct patient care, under the direction of a registered Dental Nurse, to ensure delivery of high quality patient care
• Assist the registered Dental Nurse and, where appropriate, other members of the clinical team to deliver patient care including the preparation of instruments/materials
• Contribute to the effective delivery of dental nursing care, in a supporting role to the registered Dental Nurse, is provided to patients and that an acceptable standard is maintained
• Report observed changes in the clients' physical/psychological needs and participate in maintaining accurate and up-to-date records to ensure effective communication
• Provision of patient’s toileting needs, ensuring privacy and dignity is maintained
• Support patients in managing incontinence
• Carry out any movement and handling within the safe practice guidelines from mandatory training and in relation to the patient's manual handling plan
• Obtaining specimens from patients for ward or laboratory testing
• Escort patients to clinical departments within the hospital
• General observations of patients, reporting anything untoward to Registered Dental Nursing Staff
• Initiate Basic Life Support techniques as appropriate and provides assistance to the dental team as required in prolonged resuscitation situations
• Ensure due regard is given to customs, values and spiritual beliefs of patients and carers

About us

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients.

UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities – from birth and beyond.

For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.

Aintree University Hospital is the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award‑winning stroke facility. Broadgreen Hospital is home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation. Liverpool Women’s Hospital specialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK's largest single site maternity hospital each year. The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.

For roles at Liverpool Women's, visit their careers page.

Job responsibilities

• Participate in cross departmental cover when required
• Support all individuals through effective communication
• Co‑operate with and maintain good relationships with other disciplines that are attending and treating clients to maximise patient care
• Maintain good relationships and an empathic approach to dental patients, carers and relatives and refer them to a registered Dental Nurse for any questions they may have on the patients condition or for any suggestions or concerns that they wish to raise
• Adhere to departmental procedures for the use of supplies and equipment in order to promote the effective and efficient use of resources.
• Share responsibility for key aspects of housekeeping and stock control, demonstrating a good awareness of cost efficiency and thus contributing to the smooth running of the department
• General bed making/making up of clean beds in readiness for new day case admissions (Refer to policy for the care of mattresses and beds)
• Clear and clean vacated dental chairs/beds and prepare ready for use according to the department protocol
• Prepare used linen bags for collection by Porters and ensure adequate supply of linen bags/skips ready for use
• Assist in maintaining a clean and safe environment in all areas
• Safe disposal of clinical waste and sharps as per Trust policy
• Be familiar with Trust policy and procedure for reporting clinical incidents, reporting of incidents if they occur
• Provide support and assistance to new and junior members of staff
• Supports members of the nursing team in the management of abusive and aggressive behaviour with supervision
• Contribute to the Health, Safety and Security of individuals Clerical Duties
• Undertake a range of clerical duties in the absence of or in support of the department administrative team to ensure a smooth‑running service, this may involve:
• Supporting the registered nurse/clinician in recording patient information such as height/weight
• Obtaining case notes/x-rays
• Complete maintenance repair forms
• The post holder shall as necessary, provide cover for and undertake duties of absent colleagues.

Additional requirements

• Post holder shall follow all the policies and procedures of the organisation.
• This post requires an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check (CRB)

Person Specification

Qualifications

Experience

• Previous experience in a caring role

Knowledge

• Basic Computer Skills

Skills

• Demonstrable ability to undertake required clerical duties
• Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues in the Healthcare setting
• Ability to carry out assigned tasks effectively in a busy environment

Other

• Ability to communicate clearly in written & spoken word
• Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust