Dental Nurse

Integrated Care System; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity for a Dental Nurse to join a specialist team delivering dental care within a community setting in Plymouth. Candidates should have relevant qualifications and experience, with responsibilities including emergency care, patient support, and compliance with dental procedures. The role values enthusiastic individuals who prioritize excellent patient care.

Benefits

Protected CPD time

Training pathways and leadership programs

Funding for qualifications

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year post-qualification experience in dental procedures.
• Registered as a Dental Nurse with the GDC.

Responsibilities

• Provide emergency and routine care for child patients.
• Assist with clinical procedures and patient support.
• Manage surgery tasks and ensure compliance with protocols.

Skills

Knowledge of dental and surgical equipment

Ability to work independently

Good organisational skills

Emergency response skills

Communication skills

Education

NEBDN Qualification/City & Guilds NVQ3

GCSE Grade A-C in English and maths

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Dental Nurse to join the specialist-led, multidisciplinary team of Plymouth Community Dental Services, part of Livewell Southwest.

Applications are welcomed from experienced and suitably qualified registered dental nurses.

This post will primarily involve providing general dental care for urgent care and routine paediatrics.

PCDS offers high-quality general and specialised dental services to Plymouth and the surrounding district. We are looking for candidates who are caring, passionate, and enthusiastic about delivering excellent care.

If you have the necessary qualifications, experience, and enthusiasm to join our dedicated team, we would like to hear from you.

This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. Please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information regarding eligibility.

Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline if a high number of applications are received. We recommend submitting your application early.

All Livewell Southwest staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7-day service.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work with Dental Operators, mainly with patients in pain requiring emergency care and routine paediatrics. Occasionally, the post holder may work with dental operators undertaking assessments or non-sedation treatments for special care or oral surgery patients.

At times, this role may require providing nurse cover at UHP GA clinics in Freedom Theatres.

The post holder will assist all dental operators in chairside assisting and clinical procedures, support and care for patients, manage a surgery, and complete all relevant clinical and administrative tasks.

About us

Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs.

Guided by our values of kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration, we focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability and empower staff and those we serve.

We involve patients, families, and carers in shaping the care they receive, aiming to deliver the right care at the right time and place. Our work centers on individual needs to help people lead healthy, independent lives.

We prioritize staff development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship programs facilitate smooth integration into our organization.

Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all community sections, including those with armed forces experience, mental health lived experience, neuro-diverse conditions, and learning disabilities. For assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.

Job responsibilities

Primarily working with a dental operator to provide emergency and routine care for child patients, including clinical procedures and chairside assisting.

Supporting the needs of patients, carers, and clinicians, dealing with them promptly and efficiently.

Using all dental equipment, including sharp and fine instruments.

Providing advice to patients, carers, and families about dental procedures, including pre- and post-operative care, managing complications, and pain control.

Preparing the clinical environment before sessions and closing it afterward, following cross-infection and decontamination protocols.

Checking surgery equipment and reporting faults.

Recording clinical observations.

Ensuring routine and emergency equipment is checked and available, e.g., oxygen cylinders, masks, defibrillator.

Decontaminating equipment and instruments following infection control procedures.

Preparing the surgery for patients using knowledge and experience to select appropriate equipment, materials, and instruments.

Potentially taking x-rays after relevant training.

Working at different locations to meet service needs, including general anaesthesia sessions at UHP.

Triage of urgent care patients to assess treatment urgency and book appointments, including outpatient clinics.

Undertaking specific duties delegated by Dental Operators and Managers.

Following policies set by NHS England, the British Dental Association, the General Dental Council, and other relevant guidelines.

Training and Knowledge

Registered as a Dental Nurse with the GDC.

Minimum of 1 year post-qualification training and experience in dental procedures.

Knowledge of routine and specialised dental procedures and equipment.

Experience treating patients from diverse backgrounds, including those requiring interpretation services.

Knowledge of Basic Life Support, with training and regular updates.

Training in recognising medical emergencies and assisting in managing them.

Training in all mandatory topics provided by Livewell Southwest.

Ability to carry out clinical work independently, seeking guidance for non-routine procedures.

Ability to perform administrative duties independently, referring to a manager for complex tasks.

Person Specification

Knowledge and skills

• Knowledge of dental and surgical equipment and materials.
• Understanding of Health and Safety regulations and infection control measures.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to recognise and respond to medical emergencies.
• Good organisational, ICT, and communication skills.
• Professional and calm demeanor.
• Experience in stock control and managing clinical tasks efficiently.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development.

Experience

• Experience in training or supporting new staff.
• Experience working within NHS dental services or community dental services.

Qualifications

• NEBDN Qualification/City & Guilds NVQ3 or equivalent in Dental Nursing.
• Registered with the GDC without restrictions.
• GCSE Grade A-C (or equivalent) in English and maths.
• Additional dental qualifications are desirable.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to a DBS check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Full-time, part-time, job share, and flexible working options available.