Dental Hygiene Therapist

Smile Together; Swindon; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Smile Together invites a Dental Hygienist/Therapist to join their Cornwall-based team, delivering preventive, periodontal and restorative care as part of a patient-centred approach. The role supports reducing oral health inequalities across the Cornwall region within a community-owned CIC and B Corp framework.

You will work within modern, purpose-built surgeries in a culture that prioritises social impact, wellbeing and ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• GDC registration without conditions.
• Interpersonal and patient-centred communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and within a multidisciplinary team.
• Enthusiasm for improving oral health access in Cornwall.

Responsibilities

• Deliver hygiene, periodontal and restorative care as applicable.
• Work in a multidisciplinary team to reduce oral health inequalities.
• Undertake oral health assessments, periodontal charting and risk assessment.
• Provide scale and polish and non-surgical periodontal therapy as needed.
• Deliver personalised preventive advice and fluoride varnish where appropriate.

Skills

GDC registration

Compassionate communication

Independent worker

Team collaboration

Community health focus

Education

Diploma of Dental Hygiene

Job description

Escape the ordinary and experience the exceptional in Cornwall one of the UKs most beautiful and inspiring places to live and work.

At Smile Together, were redefining dentistry. As a certified B Corp and employee-owned Community Interest Company (CIC), we combine clinical excellence with social purpose, investing profits back into services, our people, and the communities we serve.

Are you a clinician who is compassionate, community-minded, and motivated to make a positive impact? Then this role is for you.

What Youll Bring

• Recognised qualification in Dental Hygiene and Therapy (Diploma or BSc), or a Dental Hygiene qualification for those applying for a hygiene-only role.
• Current registration with the General Dental Council (without conditions).
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a compassionate, patient-centred approach.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• A genuine enthusiasm for improving oral health access in Cornwall.

Main duties of the job

What Youll Be Doing

Deliver high-quality preventive, periodontal, and restorative care (if applicable) to a diverse patient population.

Work as part of a supportive multidisciplinary team committed to reducing oral health inequalities and improving long-term oral health across Cornwall.

Undertake oral health assessments, including periodontal charting and risk assessment.

Provide thorough scale and polish treatments and non-surgical periodontal therapy

Deliver personalised preventive and oral hygiene advice tailored to individual needs.

Apply fluoride varnish and fissure sealants as appropriate.

Additional responsibilities for a Therapist

• Carry out paediatric preventive and restorative dentistry, including stainless steel crowns on primary teeth (Hall technique where appropriate).
• Extract primary teeth where clinically indicated.

Provide direct-access assessments, hygiene and periodontal treatments and restorations for adults within GDC scope of practice.

About us

Why Choose Smile Together

Were expanding our services, with multiple opportunities across two locations practices offering high-quality patient-led care, supporting a broad range of patient needs.

Modern, purpose-built surgeries equipped with the latest dental technology.

Modern,purpose-built surgeries equipped with the latest dental technology.

Thechance to work within a B Corp certified, employee owned social enterprise withstrong values and a commitment to social impact.

Asupportive, inclusive workplace culture that prioritises wellbeing andprofessional fulfilment.

Flexibleworking options and a healthy work-life balance.

Accessto ongoing CPD, training and development opportunities.

SoundExciting?

*Conditionsapply.

You will need to be able to demonstrate that you have theright to work in the UK as we do not offer sponsorship and that you are abletocommute to the place of work.

GDC registration without conditions

Job responsibilities

Deliver routine hygiene services, includingscale and polish and non-surgical periodontal therapy, as part of ongoingpatient care.

Work as part of a supportivemultidisciplinary team committed to reducing oral health inequalities andimproving long‑term oral health outcomes.

Undertake comprehensive oral healthassessments, including periodontal charting, caries risk assessment, andtreatment planning in line with NHS care pathways.

Provide personalised preventive care and oralhygiene instruction, tailored to individual patient needs and risk factors.

Apply fluoride varnish and fissure sealantswhere clinically appropriate.

Carry out paediatric preventive andrestorative dentistry, including stainless steel crowns on primary teeth (Halltechnique where appropriate).

Extract primary teeth where clinicallyindicated and within scope.

Provide direct-access assessments, hygiene,periodontal treatments, and restorations for adults, in line with GDC scope ofpractice and NHS contract requirements.

Take and interpret radiographs within scopeand local protocols.

Provide elements of urgent and stabilisationcare, including temporary dressings, re‑cementing crowns, and supportingemergency appointments as required.

Work within agreed NHS contractual andgovernance arrangements, with administrative and clinical support to ensureappropriate claim submission and record‑keeping.

Person Specification

Experience

• Competency in the full scope of practice as a Dental Hygienist acquired through training and clinical experience, including for example:
• Provide oral hygiene instructions, advice and smoking cessation advice
• Take full medical and dental histories
• Carry out full dental examinations
• Carry out periodontal examinations, including 6-point pocket charts, plaque, recession and bleeding indices
• Monitor the progression of periodontal disease
• Plan and carry out the treatment of periodontal diseases, including supragingival and subgingival scaling, root‑surface debridement and polishing, using manual or ultrasonic instruments
• Prescribe, take and interpret radiographs (acting as operator, practitioner and referrer under the IRR99 and IR(ME)R regulations)
• Provide preventative treatment for caries, such as application of topical fluoride and fissure sealants
• Adjust overhangs and tooth surfaces interfering with periodontal treatment
• Place temporary fillings
• Replace crowns or fixed prostheses with a temporary cement
• Take impressions
• Place a rubber dam, when necessary for treatment
• Carry out oral cancer screening, including identifying abnormal anatomy and pathological signs and symptoms
• Provide periodontal care around implants
• Refer to and liaise with other DCPs
• Experience in treating a range of oral conditions in various primary healthcare dental settings

Qualifications

• Diploma of Dental Hygiene
• Full registration with the General Dental Council without conditions

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of systems of care provision and current health and safety regulations including adherence to COSHH guidelines and ionising radiation regulations
• Knowledge of the Data Protection Act/General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and NHS Confidentiality Guidelines (e.g. Caldicott) and their implications

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.