Head of Dental Services

NHS; Carmarthen; On-site; GBP 63,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health board is seeking a dynamic senior manager to oversee General and Community Dental Services. This role involves strategic leadership within the Primary Care Directorate, ensuring compliance with dental contracts while fostering innovative service delivery to meet community needs.

Qualifications

• Evidence of ongoing management and professional development.
• Understanding of NHS and Health Board policies.
• Experience in leading complex change and improvement programmes.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and development functions for dental services.
• Provide strategic leadership to Primary Care Service Managers.
• Collaborate with Health Board to align services with national policies.

Skills

Leadership

Project Management

Financial Management

Education

Higher degree at Masters level

Job description

Job summary

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to lead the contractual, performance, and operational management of our General and Community Dental Services within the Primary Care Directorate.

The post holder is a critical part of the Primary Care Directorate senior management team combining key functions of general dental service contact commissioning and Community Dental Service delivery, including contract and performance management of dental contracts, supporting collaborative development, and planning to support the organisation in the delivery for its objectives.

The post holder is responsible for leading the planning and development functions of general dental services and Community Dental Services, collaborating with other members of the Primary Care Directorate and liaising with other parts of the Health Board as required. The post holder is responsible for the development of long term operational, service andstrategic plans for both commissioned and salaried dental services in line with Health Board strategy, working closely with the Finance and Planning Directorates to ensure the alignment of service and financial plans.

Main duties of the job

As the successful candidate, you will provide strategic leadership to Primary Care Service Managers and offer operational support to the Community Dental Service. You will play a key role in driving high-quality practice, contract compliance, and performance management.

You will ensure that Health Board aims and objectives are effectively communicated across teams and contractors, while helping shape service objectives for dental care provision. Your work will be central to aligning local services with national policies, and you will work closely with the Planning Directorate to influence and support the Health Board's strategic direction.

With a strong focus on governance, you will identify and manage performance concerns, liaising with professional regulatory and advisory bodies where necessary. You will also lead the development of innovative care pathways to ensure our services continue to meet the evolving needs of the population.

This is an exciting opportunity for a forward-thinking, solutions-focused individual who thrives on collaboration and improvement in healthcare service delivery.

About us

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.

We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.

We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.

Our services are provided in:

• Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
• Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
• Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
• 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
• Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services

Details Date posted

01 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£63,150 to £73,379 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

100-AC174-0725

Job locations

Hafan Derwen

St Davids Park

Carmarthen

SA31 3BB

Job description Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Interviews will be held on 31/07/2025

Job description Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Interviews will be held on 31/07/2025

Person Specification Qualifications and Knowledge Essential

• A higher degree at Masters level or equivalent experience at senior manager level
• Must have evidence of ongoing management and professional development
• Must possess an understanding of the role and its purpose within the organisation
• Must have knowledge of the NHS, WG and Health Board strategies, policies and plans, including HR policies
• Must have an in-depth knowledge of the strategic healthcare agenda relating to general medical service and community pharmacy delivery

Experience Essential

• Senior NHS Management experience
• Experience in commissioning primary care contracts, including the management of primary care contracts
• Clear experience of leading highly complex change and improvement programmes with a range of staff, staff organisations and independent contractors
• Must possess significant experience of financial management and knowledge of how to deliver a budget to target
• Experience of managing directly operational services e.g. Community Dental Services, Managed Practices etc.

Language skills Essential

• Must be empathetic to and supportive of the aims of the Welsh Language Act.

Desirable

• Welsh Speaker (Level 1)

Person Specification Qualifications and Knowledge Essential

• A higher degree at Masters level or equivalent experience at senior manager level
• Must have evidence of ongoing management and professional development
• Must possess an understanding of the role and its purpose within the organisation
• Must have knowledge of the NHS, WG and Health Board strategies, policies and plans, including HR policies
• Must have an in-depth knowledge of the strategic healthcare agenda relating to general medical service and community pharmacy delivery

Experience Essential

• Senior NHS Management experience
• Experience in commissioning primary care contracts, including the management of primary care contracts
• Clear experience of leading highly complex change and improvement programmes with a range of staff, staff organisations and independent contractors
• Must possess significant experience of financial management and knowledge of how to deliver a budget to target
• Experience of managing directly operational services e.g. Community Dental Services, Managed Practices etc.

Language skills Essential

• Must be empathetic to and supportive of the aims of the Welsh Language Act.

Desirable

• Welsh Speaker (Level 1)

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information 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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details Employer name

Hywel Dda University Health Board

Address

Hafan Derwen

St Davids Park

Carmarthen

SA31 3BB

Employer's website

https://hduhb.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Hywel Dda University Health Board

Address

Hafan Derwen

St Davids Park

Carmarthen

SA31 3BB

Employer's website

https://hduhb.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)