Dental Nurse

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Morecambe; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

An NHS Trust in Morecambe is seeking a qualified Dental Nurse to deliver high-quality care within a community-based dental service. The role includes chairside support, clinical preparation, and maintaining professional standards as per the GDC Code of Ethics. Applicants should have a National Certificate in Dental Nursing and a valid GDC registration. Experience in community dental services is advantageous. This position features a salary range from £27,485 to £30,162 per year.

Qualifications

• GCSEs with grade C and above in English and Maths or equivalent.
• National Certificate in Dental Nursing or NVQ Level 3 qualification.
• Recent experience as a dental nurse required.

Responsibilities

• Assist dentists chairside during procedures.
• Prepare materials and instruments for treatments.
• Conduct infection control and patient safety checks.

Skills

Effective communication

Organizational skills

Manual dexterity

Time management

Commitment to patient care

Education

GCSEs in English and Maths

National Certificate in Dental Nursing

Valid GDC registration

Job description

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Dental Nurse

The closing date is 28 December 2025

The post holder will be required to fulfil a comprehensive range of dental nursing duties within the Specialist Dental Services.

The appointed Dental Nurse will be based at the Dental Access Centre in the Queen Victoria Centre; the role is to support the whole team. You may be expected to provide cover at other clinical bases such as the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and the Dental Education Centre that deliver our services when necessary to maintain efficient services.

Main duties of the job

• Chairside Support: Assist and chaperone the dentist during procedures, including those involving general anaesthesia and sedation.
• Clinical Preparation: Prepare materials, instruments, and equipment for treatments.
• Radiography: Safely process and store x‑ray films in compliance with health and safety standards.
• Professional Standards: Maintain dental nursing registration, complete CPD, and attend relevant courses.
• Inventory Management: Monitor and manage stock of dental materials and consumables.
• Equipment Care: Perform routine maintenance on dental units and tools.
• Infection Control: Sterilise instruments, clean clinical areas, and dispose of waste per guidelines.
• Safety Checks: Conduct daily autoclave tests and monthly emergency kit inspections.
• Ethical Practice: Follow GDC Code of Ethics and respond to child protection concerns per Trust policy.
• Health Promotion: Support dental health initiatives and education.
• Professional Development: Engage in appraisals and personal development planning.
• Clinical Audit: Participate in audits through data collection and action plan implementation.

About us

We're inviting dedicated dental nurses to join our community‑based dental service, where you'll play a vital role in delivering high‑quality care to patients with complex needs. This is a unique opportunity to gain experience in procedures carried out under sedation and general anaesthetic, within a supportive and clinically stimulating environment. We're committed to your professional growth and offer excellent opportunities for development and training.

Job responsibilities

• Assist and chaperone the dentist at the chairside during operative procedures including general anaesthesia and sedation situations.

Preparation of filling materials, impression materials, instruments, equipment and dressings etc.

Ensure safe, careful processing of x‑ray films and their storage with patient records, in line with health and safety regulations.

Maintain all requirements related to the profession of dental nursing including CPD, registration and attendance at appropriate courses whether mandatory or elective.

Stock control of dental materials and other consumables.

Care and minor maintenance of dental unit, chair, handpieces and other equipment.

Decontamination / sterilisation of instruments, cleaning of work surfaces in the clinical area and safe disposal of clinical waste in accordance with departmental cross‑infection control guidelines.

Daily testing of bench‑top autoclave. Monthly checks of resuscitation drug kit and emergency oxygen.

Adhere to the General Dental Council's Code of Ethics for all professions complimentary to dentistry.

Be aware of and respond accordingly to the Trust policy where child protection issues are suspected.

Contribute to health promotion around dental issues and support initiatives in health promotion.

Participate in the annual appraisal process and the development and implementation of activities identified on the personal development plan.

Contribute to the clinical audit activities within the department through data collection and the implementation of action plans.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• GCSEs with grade C and above in English and Maths, or equivalent qualification
• National Certificate in Dental Nursing or NVQ Level 3 Dental Nursing qualification
• Valid GDC registration
• Post Qualification in Sedation / Special Care / Oral Health / Paediatrics / Radiography

Knowledge and Understanding

• Duties and responsibilities of a Registered Dental Nurse
• Knowledge of legislation related to Infection Control and Decontamination.
• Awareness of Risk Assessment and Health and Safety Policies
• Awareness of safeguarding issues
• Awareness of Data Protection and Information Governance
• Knowledge of range of NHS Community dental services
• Up to date with legislation and current procedures relating to dentistry / Clinical Governance

Experience

• Recent experience of working as a dental nurse
• Experience of working in a Community Dental Service and/or General Dental Practice

Skills and Qualities

• Effective communication with patients, the Dental Team and other health professionals
• Good organisational and planning skills to ensure effective provision of service
• High degree of manual dexterity, coordination and awareness of the use and maintenance of specialised equipment
• Commitment to a high standard of patient care
• Acceptance of responsibility and accountability for own work
• Recognises the limits of own authority within the role
• Seeks and uses professional support appropriately
• Ability to work as an effective member of a team
• Good time management
• Willingness to engage in CPD and regular updating and extension of skills

Physical Factors

• Ability to withstand stressful situations / environments
• Ability to adjust to change
• Ability to travel between dental sites in a timely manner
• Flexibility to meet the needs of the service

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.

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

£27,485 to £30,162 a year, per annum (pro rata)