Dental Nurse

NHS; Taunton; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health service provider in the UK seeks a dental nurse for clinics in Yeovil or Taunton. The role involves supporting dentists, managing patient care, and upholding safety standards. Ideal candidates will have GDC registration and experience in dental services. This position offers significant opportunities for personal and professional development as part of a rewarding team.

Benefits

Flexible working options

NHS pension scheme

Generous annual leave allowance

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Registered dental professional with the General Dental Council.
• Experience in Primary Dental Care or Community Dental Services.
• Must hold a valid driving license or access to transport.

Responsibilities

• Assist Dental Officers in treating patients.
• Maintain radiographic equipment and process radiographs.
• Handle patient charges and manage referrals.

Skills

Compassionate communication

Interpersonal skills

Understanding of medical emergencies

Education

Full GDC registration

National Certificate of Dental Nurses or equivalent NVQ

Job description

The Primary Care Dental Service is proud to deliver high-quality dental care tailored to individuals with Additional Needs through our dedicated Special and Occasional Care services.

In this rewarding role based at our clinics in Yeovil or Taunton, you will play a vital part in supporting dentists and dental therapists across a variety of settings - including dental clinics, residential and nursing homes, and domiciliary environments - ensuring patients receive compassionate and professional care wherever they are.

Working in alignment with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and General Dental Council standards, you will be instrumental in upholding rigorous infection control measures and contributing to the smooth running of the service through essential administrative support. This is an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients while being part of a committed and collaborative team.

Main duties of the job

In this busy and rewarding role, you'll be a key member of a multidisciplinary dental team, supporting the delivery of high-quality care across a range of settings. Following appropriate training, you'll assist Dental Officers in treating adults and children, including those with Additional Needs or complex medical conditions, while offering reassurance and clear communication to patients and their families - especially those who may be anxious or distressed. Where trained, you'll process dental radiographs, including OPTs, and maintain radiographic equipment. A sound understanding of medical emergencies is essential, including the preparation of emergency drugs under guidance.

You'll work in full compliance with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust policies and national legislation, including IRMER, Health & Safety, Infection Control, Safeguarding, and Information Governance. As a registered dental professional with the General Dental Council, you'll maintain CPD and participate in training, audits, and peer review. Additional responsibilities include handling patient charges, supporting stock control, managing referrals and appointments, maintaining accurate records, and liaising with dental laboratories - all while ensuring patient information is processed securely and efficiently.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description for detailed information about this role. We very much welcome informal discussions or visits prior to application so if you would like to find out more about how your skills and experience align with our dental nurse positions please get in touch with [e-mail] / 07500 066545 or [e-mail] / 07771 742161 to find out more.

In additional please take a look at our community dentistry video to get a flavour of what working for our service can look like for you:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q62-Vf0osQ

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Full GDC registration
• National Certificate of Dental Nurses or equivalent NVQ.

Experience

• Experience of working within Primary Dental Care and/or Community Dental Service and/or General Dental Services.

Additional Criteria

• Compassionate - exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with staff, patients, carers and relatives (as appropriate) remaining sensitive and empathetic.
• Professional and patient focussed approach with inspirational skills, acting as a role model to colleagues and junior staff members.
• Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the Trust, 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.