Dental Nurse - PCDS

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; West of England; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training and development

Pension scheme

Well-being offer

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a float Dental Nurse to provide clinical support across Primary Care Dental Service sites in Bristol, Bath and Weston. The role requires working across community dental sites as needed to support clinicians and patients.

Responsibilities include chairside assistance, infection control, and coordination of patient care from pre- to post-treatment. NHS experience and GDC registration are essential for this role.

Qualifications

• National certificate in Dental Nursing or NVQ level 3 required.
• GDC registration required.
• Post-registration qualification in relevant areas advantageous.
• Enhanced dental nurse courses such as fluoride application beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Provide four handed dentistry and assist clinicians.
• Monitor and maintain infection control to trusted standards.
• Provide clinical support and advice for the dental team.
• Identify patient needs and assist through treatment and discharge.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Organisational skills

Infection control

Four-handed dentistry

Travel across sites

Education

National certificate in Dental Nursing or NVQ level 3

GDC registration

Post-registration qualification (Sedation / Special Care Dentistry / Oral Health Education / Radiography / Implantology / Orthodontics)

Enhanced dental nurse courses (e.g., fluoride application)

Tools

Computer literacy

Job description

Main area Dentistry Grade Band 4 Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Part time

37.5 hours per week (Monday - Friday 08:30 - 17:00) Job ref 387-S8766-NG

Employer Bristol NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Primary Care Dental Service, Charlotte Keel Health Centre Town Bristol Salary £28,392 - £31,157 pa or pa pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 09/10/2026 08:00

Band 4

This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job overview

This position is for a float Dental Nurse, to provide clinical support in Primary Care Dental Service sites across Bristol, Bath and Weston.

The ability to work across the different community dental sites, as required, is essential

As a Dental Nurse at UHBW, you will play a vital role in delivering high quality dental care to our patients. Working closely with our dental professionals, you will ensure the smooth operation of our clinics and contribute to our commitment to improving oral health in the community. This will involve, but not limited to:

• Monitor and maintain a high standard of cleanliness and infection control in line with current codes of practice and trust policy.
• Provide four handed dentistry throughout the patient’s treatment, anticipating the clinicians needs and any possible complications which may arise, including assisting the management of medical and dental emergencies.
• To provide clinical support and advice for the dental team.
• Identify each patient’s medical, dental and personal needs within a wide range of treatments and procedures before, during and after the patient is discharged from clinic.

What do we offer to you?

Apart from getting work within a friendly and supportive team:

• Training and development opportunities
• Highly rewarding job working with patients with additional needs
• Industry leading pension scheme
• Access to an ample Well-being offer

Main duties of the job

As part of the team, you will be responsible for providing clinical chairside support for colleagues with a varied skill mix. Some of main responsibilities include processing dental instruments, daily testing and documentation of decontamination processes and equipment.

The role also involves some added administrative duties such as supporting the reception area when required.

The ability to work across the different community dental sites as required is essential. Some experience of working with our patient groups is desirable but not essential.

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations,operatingfrom three main sites at Southmead, Bristol citycentreand Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that theSouth Westhas to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and Person Specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Qualifications and Training

• National certificate in Dental Nursing or NVQ level 3 Dental Nursing qualification
• Valid GDC registration
• Post registration qualification in Conscious Sedation, Special Care Dentistry, Oral Health Education, Dental Radiography, Implantology or Orthodontics
• Completion of enhanced dental nurse courses such as fluoride application

Skills and Abilities

• Able to work effectively with others as part of a team
• Ability to work under instruction and show initiative by prioritising and organising workload
• Competent in operating a computer
• Able to travel across sites

Knowledge and Experience

• Experience of a range of dental nursing work procedures and practices
• Experience of assisting with a diverse range of patients
• Experience of a variety of settings i.e., hospital, community clinic, NHS/Private Practice

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.

BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.

If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.

The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.

By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date.

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.

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.