Dental Nurse

NHS; Saltash; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking a skilled Dental Nurse for a modern practice in Saltash. Join a team making a significant difference in community health while enjoying continuous professional development and a supportive work environment. Salary ranges from £26,500 to £29,500, based on qualifications. This role includes mentorship opportunities and a commitment to quality care.

Benefits

Occupational pension scheme

27 days paid annual leave plus bank holidays

Extra paid day off for birthday

Qualifications

• Competence in common aspects of dental nursing.
• Experience of a wide range of dental procedures acquired through training and clinical experience.
• Trained to recognise and respond to medical emergencies.

Responsibilities

• Assist the dentist during clinical procedures.
• Provide comprehensive reception cover when required.
• Ensure high standards of patient care are maintained.

Skills

Competence in dental nursing

Ability to respond to medical emergencies

Mentoring skills

Experience with dental procedures

Education

NEBDN National Certificate in Dental Nursing

NVQ Level 3 in Dental Nursing

Job description

Salary levels are discussed during interviews and are based on your qualifications and experience.

Location: Keast Mews Dental Centre, 13-15 Keast Mews, Fore Street, Saltash, PL12 6AR

5 Days per week, 37.5 hours

Application deadline: 16th October 2025. We have the right to close this advert early.

Interview date: 21st October 2025

Are you passionate about helping others and making a real difference? Do you want to be part of a team where your work truly impacts your community, the environment, and the future of healthcare? Then Smile Together is the place for you!

What are we looking for?

We are looking for a dynamic and experienced Dental Nurse to join our growing team at Keast Mews, a modern and purpose-designed private dental practice in Saltash.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the team within a developing practice known for patient-centred, high-quality care. As part of Smile Together, you will be contributing to our broader mission to improve access to quality dentistry across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Main duties of the job

Grow and develop within a supportive environment where you can pursue special interests, gain qualifications, and even care for your own list of patients in nurse-led clinics.

Why Join Us?

We are more than just a dental practice, we are proud to be the UK's first dental practice to be B Corp certified, a Community Interest Company (CIC), and proud to be employee-owned, giving our team a voice within the business.

This means we are committed to doing business differently for the benefit of our people, the communities we serve, and our planet. From reducing our environmental toothprint with sustainable practices, to playing an active role in improving oral health across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, our mission goes beyond dentistry: we change lives and we would love you to be part of that!

About us

Mentorship and Professional Development:

We will help you develop your skills with access to our Smile Together Training Academy, including a paid subscription to Agilio for continuous professional development, mentorship opportunities, and unique chances to work across Cornwall, including in our Mobile Dental Unit.

Paid Indemnity & GDC Registration:

We've got you covered so you can focus on your career.

Workforce Benefits Package:

Occupational pension scheme, 27 days paid annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata), National Living Wage Employer, and an extra paid day off to celebrate your birthday!

Shareholder Opportunities: Have a real voice in shaping the future of our employee-owned company.

Community Involvement:

Engage in impactful community projects like our coastal outreach and support for Health for Homeless Cornwall. Opportunity for half a day's paid volunteer time such as through our partnership with Plant One and Cornwall Wildlife Trust or with a charity of your own.

Job responsibilities

Job Summary:

To ensure the efficient day-to-day running of the dental practice and to work closely with the whole team to ensure that Smile Together provides timely, accessible, quality dental care to its patients.

When dental nursing, the post holder will be expected to deliver a high standard of clinical support to our dentists and therapists and play an integral role in the company as a whole.

Key accountabilities:

• Assist the dentist during clinical procedures and make independent judgments with regard to equipment, instruments, and materials.
• Provide comprehensive reception cover when required, including answering the telephone, booking appointments, and welcoming patients to the practice, ensuring accurate inputting of data into the practice system and maintaining patient confidentiality at all times.
• Recognise and demonstrate understanding of the different journey a patient will experience depending on their treatment needs and the service being provided to them.
• Assist in the provision of a mentoring programme to support Foundation Dental Nurses to expand their clinical skills.
• Participate in the selection of, interview, and onboarding of Trainee Dental Nurses.
• Recognise and assist with any medical emergencies.
• Provide clinical support for clinicians within a surgery setting and give appropriate pre-treatment and post-treatment advice to patients.
• Ensure high standards of patient care are maintained at all times.
• Provide support and reassurance to patients undergoing dental procedures.
• Monitor and maintain stock control with due regard to efficient use of resources.
• Accurately record patient data, filing, and archiving patient records.
• A working knowledge of HTM 01-05 document and Infection Control procedures.
• Actively engage with Smile Together teams and participate in audit activities, planning and development sessions, and in-house meetings.
• Be responsible for safe working and practice on a day-to-day basis in sites of clinical activity, ensuring compliance with clinical governance and legislation, appropriate health, safety, and security procedures within the work area, and reporting accidents, incidents, and near misses using the Smile Together incident reporting procedure.
• Undertake other reasonable duties as requested by the Practice Managers and Smile Together Management Team.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NEBDN National Certificate in Dental Nursing, NVQ Level 3 in Dental Nursing (DN), or equivalent.
• Full registration with the General Dental Council.

Experience

• Competency in the common aspects of dental nursing and experience of a wide range of dental procedures acquired through training and clinical experience.
• Trained to recognise and respond to medical emergencies (i.e., Immediate Life Support Techniques).
• Experience of mentoring newly qualified Dental Nurses and/or student Dental Nurses.
• Experience in the recruitment of Dental Nurses.

Salary: £26,500 to £29,500 a year, dependent on additional qualifications.