Dental Nurse

HCT Partnership; Hemel Hempstead, Cheshunt; Remote; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust is hiring a Band 5 Registered Dental Nurse with post qualification in Oral Health or IV sedation to support the dental team and meet the needs of patients with additional care requirements. You will run nurse-led clinics, assist the dentist during routine appointments and special procedures, and record treatments using the R4 dental system.

The role is based across Hemel Hempstead and Cheshunt, with training provided and opportunities for professional

Qualifications

• Dental Nursing Qualification - National Certificate or NVQ Level 3
• Post qualification in Oral Health/Radiography held for a min of 2 years
• Registration with General Dental Council
• Full UK driving licence

Responsibilities

• Carry out nurse-led clinics and assist the dentist during routine appointments and nurse-led clinics.
• Manage nurse-led clinics using OH/IV post qualification to support and maintain patients' needs.
• Accurately record treatment using the R4 dental system and participate in performance reviews.
• Work across Hemel Hempstead and Cheshunt sites to cover staffing needs.

Skills

Good communication skills

Teamwork

Patient-focused care

Initiative

Education

National Certificate or NVQ Level 3 in Dental Nursing

Post qualification in Oral Health/Radiography (min 2 years)

Registration with General Dental Council (GDC)

Full UK driving licence

Tools

R4 dental system

Job description

Site The Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead and Cheshunt Community Hospital Town Hemel Hempstead and Cheshunt Salary £32,073 - £39,043 per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 13/10/2026 23:59 Interview date 23/10/2026

Job overview

We are looking for a registered dental nurse with an additional post qualification in OH/IV.

You will be required to use your post qualification to benefit the needs our service users.

As a band 5 registered dental nurse for HCT you will be responsible for supporting the dental team to ensure the service user's needs are met through high quality dental care. As a specialist service for patients with additional needs you will offer a patient centered approach.

*Proposed interview date: 23rd October 2026*

HCT will prioritise recruitment of workers living in England under the new immigration rules for care workers effective from 9 April 2025. Employers must first prove that they have attempted to recruit a worker from within England who needs new sponsorship. This ensures that those who came to the UK to pursue a career in adult social care can do so.

Main duties of the job

You will be expected to maintain high standards of clinical work while assisting both the dentist during routine clinical appointments and nurse led clinics , we offer a high level of care for our cohort group.

You will be expected to manage and run nurse led clinics using your post qualification in OH/IV to support and maintain the needs of our patients.

Thank you for choosing to work for the Special Care Dental service within HCT, you will find it a great place to work with many benefits offered.

We provide all the support and finance to maintain your mandatory training and CPD.

We have a vacancy for 2 band 5 roles at our Hemel Hempstead and Cheshunt clinics.

Working for our organisation

• Our Nurse Lead Clinic Nurses have been shortlisted for the HSJ Patient Safety Awards 2026 , which recognise the critical work being undertaken to address the complexities of delivering safe care during times of significant change and ongoing pressure.
• A clear and structured nursing career pathway, supporting professional development and progression.
• Band 5 nurses have the opportunity to undertake Nurse-Led Clinic (NLC) appointments with autonomy, supported by the wider clinical team.
• A range of training and professional development opportunities, alongside all mandatory training requirements.
• Access to wellbeing and pastoral support to support staff both professionally and personally.
• Opportunities to work alongside specialist clinicians and consultants within the service, developing knowledge and clinical experience.
• Opportunities to contribute to innovative outreach oral care projects, supporting the delivery of high-quality care within the wider community.

We don’t want you to miss out so we’d like you to know that if we have a high level of interest in this role, the vacancy may close prior to the advertised closing date, so please make your application as soon as possible -

You’ve made a great decision to apply to join to HCT - we’re looking forward to taking the next steps of the journey with you.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Carry out nurse led clinics using your post qualification in Oral health or assisting during IV clinics. As a band 5 nurse you will be required to see a minimum number of patients within the nurse led clinic to maintain your band 5 status.

You will be expected to assist the dental surgeon in the provision of a complete range of NHS dental care to include treatment under inhalation sedation, general anaesthesia or IV sedation where appropriate.

Accurately record treatment using the R4 dental electronic system, including charting from the dentist’s instructions at the time of treatment.

You will be required to participate in the annual individual performance review process.

You will be required to carry out other appropriate duties commensurate with the post. e.g school visits, home visits and Epidemiology.

Your base will be specified but you will be expected to work at any of the Special Care Dental Service sites throughout Hertfordshire to cover staff sickness/Annual Leave/Study leave when required.

There may be the need for you to sit or stand in restricted positions and be able to respond to unexpected changes of treatment plan. This may involve the movement of bulky heavy equipment e.g. hoists.

There will be occasional direct exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances such as during the treatment of very sick children or patients with challenging behaviour

Whilst it is not a legal requirement, Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust encourages and supports all staff to be vaccinated as this remains the best line of defence against COVID-19.

We welcome diversity in out workforce and are interested in applicants from all backgrounds and ages

The use of AI is monitored and if you have used it then you are required to declare this, as well as what type of AI tools you have used and for what purpose. We reserve the right to further test your individual knowledge and skills in relation to the requirements for the post through robust and thorough interview and assessment.

Person specification

Qualifications and Training

• Dental Nursing Qualification - National Certificate or NVQ Level 3
• Post qualification in Oral Health/Radiography held for a min of 2 years
• Registration with General Dental Council.
• Full UK driving licence

Experience and Knowledge

• Evidence based experience gained from post qualification
• Evidence based knowledge of IT systems, accessing e-mails, data entry.
• Knowledge and understanding of confidentiality and ethical guidelines
• Experience working with adults and children with a range of additional needs.

Skills and Abilities

• Good communication skills, including being able to communicate with patients who may have barriers to understanding.
• Examples of ability to work as part of a team.
• Evidence of working on own initiative.
• Proven organisational skills.
• Examples of Ability to deal with patients who are extremely nervous and/or phobic.
• Evidence of a patient log to evidence direct patient facing aspect of their role.
• Effective interpersonal skills.

We will communicate any interview arrangements with applicants via e-mail so it is advisable that you check the email address you give on your application on a regular basis.

Staff recruited from outside the NHS will usually be appointed at the bottom of the pay band. All new appointments (excluding Medical & Dental roles) are subject to a 26 week probation period.

We are proud to be an armed forces friendly employer and support the employment of the armed forces community, including veterans, spouses and partners. For more information, contact [e-mail]

Applications from qualified job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications, subject to you meeting minimum criteria of the role and salary threshold. Please visit the Gov.UK website for detail.

If applicable to the role, staff are required to hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car to use with business insurance (unless the member of staff has a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

In submitting an application form, you authorise Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Electronic Staff Record Inter Authority Transfer process should you be appointed to the post.

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.