Emergency Dental Nurse

Sussex Community; Crawley; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

Training and development opportunities

Supportive NHS team environment

Job summary

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a dedicated Dental Nurse to join our Emergency Dental Services. The role involves nursing and chairside support, infection control, and high-quality patient care in a busy NHS environment.

You will work with dentists, manage clinical setups, and help maintain records while upholding data protection standards. The position emphasizes teamwork, professional development, and compassionate care.

Qualifications

• NEBDN National Diploma in Dental Nursing or equivalent qualification.
• Good IT and data entry skills for patient records.
• Competent with dental software and chairside assistance.

Responsibilities

• Provide nursing and chairside assistance to dentists.
• Prepare clinical environment and equipment for patient care.
• Maintain infection control per guidelines and safety procedures.
• Support patient care before, during and after treatment.
• Assist in staff training and quality assurance activities.

Skills

Good IT skills

Reception/Admin duties

Knowledge of dental software

Clear communication

Teamwork

Education

NEBDN National Diploma in Dental Nursing or equivalent

Key skills in English and maths

Tools

Dental software

Job description

We're looking for a hardworking, reliable, and compassionate Dental Nurse who take pride in delivering excellent care. If you thrive both independently and as part of a supportive team, are highly organised, and able to use your initiative, we'd love to hear from you.

To work closely with a variety of Dentists to ensure the smooth running of the Emergency Dental service session. Performing a range of dental work activities and demonstrating patient care.

This is your chance to join a friendly and dedicated NHS team where your skills, commitment, and compassion will be truly valued.

Please note: Due to recent changes in UK immigration and visa rules, this role may not be eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be considered. Candidates requiring sponsorship should review the eligibility criteria on the gov.uk website before applying to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.

Skilled Worker visa: going rates for eligible occupation codes - GOV.UK

Health and Care Worker visa: If you'll need to meet different salary requirements - GOV.UK

Main duties of the job

Represent the Dental Team at their clinic in a professional manner at all times.

Responsible for informing EDS Manager if stock levels are running low and any items are out of date.

Responsible in following Infection Control procedures according to current GDC/DoH guidelines and SCFT protocols and procedures.

Responsible for patient care before, during and after their treatment, monitoring the patient throughout, offering guidance and support in a way in which compliment the actions of other team members

Responsible for the general maintenance of equipment within clinic environment to ensure the smooth running of the clinical session.

To participate in an annual performance reviews and supervision

Advise EDS Manager of any relevant issues affecting the efficient operation of the service.

Ensure that all patients' records both in paper form and electronically are kept up to date and correctly stored for confidentiality purposes. Follow requirements of the Data Protection Act.

Attend statutory training and training mandatory to the dental nurse role

About us

We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to adults and children, helping them manage their health, avoid hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays.

Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community. We offer opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services.

Why work for us?

• Positive NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeingo Varied environments: community hospitals, patients' homes, and bases across Sussex
• Flexible working options: part-time, flexi-time, annualised hours, and flexi-retirement
• Excellent training, development, and research opportunities
• Cost-effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove, and Brighton
• Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+, and Religion & Belief networks
• Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trust
• Beautiful Sussex location near the South Downs and coast

Our values--Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence--guide everything we do.

We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment.

This post may close early if sufficient applications are received.

Job responsibilities

Preparation of the clinical environment for patient care following all Special Care and Emergency Dental Services policies/procedures.

Preparation of dental equipment and materials for patient care in accordance with policy and procedures.

Provision of nursing & chair side assistance to a variety of dentists

Assist the EDS Manager in the training of new dental nurses where appropriate.

Provide empathy and reassurance to patients and their carers

Participate in Quality Assurance programmes to include the processing, developing and mounting of Dental X-rays, monitoring sterilising equipment & Emergency drugs / equipment. (Dental Nurses holding a post certification in Dental Radiography are licensed to make Radiographic Exposure)

Competency in using Dental IT software to include all aspects of patient charting.

Respond to the patients needs for care, irrespective of origin, religious beliefs, personal culture or the nature of their health problems

Work openly and co-operatively with patients and their families, recognising their involvement in the planning and delivery of care.

Commit to Compulsory & Continual Professional Development & Statutory registration

Please see the job description and person specification.

Work History

• Applies trust values in day to day practice
• Personal motivation
• Evidence of caring

Skills & Knowledge

• Good understanding of decontamination, infection prevention and control procedures
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with patients, carers and colleagues, both verbally and in writing
• Good IT skills, including accurate data entry and maintaining patient records
• Reception/Admin Duties
• Knowledge Dental Software

Qualifications

• NEBDN National Diploma in Dental Nursing or equivalent qualification
• Key skills in english and maths

Experience

• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD), including relevant courses, training and/or in-service learning
• Working knowledge of dental patient management software and Windows-based IT systems
• Experience in community dental services, or community-based healthcare

Other

• Reliable, professional and flexible approach to meeting service needs

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.

£28,392 to £31,157 a yearper annum pro rata