Qualified Dental Nurse

NHS; Manchester; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Manchester is seeking a Qualified Dental Nurse. You will provide clinical and administrative support to ensure high quality, patient-focused dental care. The ideal candidate will have a National Certificate for dental nurses or NVQ level 3 in Oral Health Care Dental Nursing and possess strong communication skills. This position offers a competitive salary ranging from £27,485 to £30,162 annually.

Qualifications

• GDC registration is essential.
• Experience working with patients with additional needs is valuable.
• Evidence of continuing professional education is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Ensure clinical and administrative support to dental clinicians.
• Assist in delivering high-quality patient-focused dental service.
• Support dental nurse team leader and senior dental nursing staff.

Skills

Good communication and interpersonal skills

Ability to work flexibly as part of a team

Ability to act on own initiative

Good time management

Knowledge of Primary Care Dental Services

Education

National Certificate for dental nurses or NVQ level 3 in Oral Health Care Dental Nursing

GDC registration

Additional relevant post registration qualifications particularly in: Conscious Sedation Special Care & Oral Health

Job description

Qualified Dental Nurse

The closing date is 08 December 2025

Manchester Community Dental Service (MCDS) has five Health Centre's / Clinics providing dental services within the Manchester Local Care Organisation (MLCO). Four of these accommodate Foundation Dentists. MCDS provides a high standard of professional care for patients who are unable to access care in the General Dental Services due to their additional needs. It provides comprehensive dental care for people in priority groups to ensure that they are able to access primary and specialist dental care. In addition, MCDS provides a specialised dental service which complements the existing primary dental services. In particular, it provides dental care for patients of all ages with challenging medical conditions, learning difficulties, mental and physical disability, special dental conditions and social and behavioural limitations. Emphasis is given to the promotion of dental health and the prevention of disease.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will ensure that clinical and administrative support is provided to dental clinicians, Foundation Dentists and dental care professionals and assist them in all aspects of dental care whether in Health Centres, on domiciliary visits or during epidemiology surveys. The dental nurse will assist the dental nurse team leader, senior dental nurse and dental nurse manager to ensure the delivery of a high quality, patient-focused, effective and efficient dental service.

About us

Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement. Whether you’re beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working – empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients. You’ll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives. At MFT, you’ll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions. Your journey at MFT is more than a job – it’s an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We’ll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.

Job responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. So that you’re even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, you’ll need to take time to read the Candidate Essentials Guide that sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it also contains critical information you’ll need to be aware of before you submit an application form. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application. Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we’re proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU for our patients, our communities, and each other. As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role‑specific questions, is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone. Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application. Diversity Matters. MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• National Certificate for dental nurses or NVQ level 3 in Oral Health Care Dental Nursing
• GDC registration
• Additional relevant post registration qualifications particularly in: Conscious Sedation Special Care & Oral Health

Skills knowledge and understanding

• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work flexibly as part of a team
• Ability to act on own initiative
• Effectively prioritise and co‑ordinate own work
• Good time management
• Evidence of continuing professional education
• Able to show an appreciation of the challenges of working with patients with additional needs and challenging behaviours
• Knowledge of Primary Care Dental Services

Experience

• Previous experience in general dental practice/hospital/ community services
• Evidence of experience of working with patients with special needs & challenging behaviour.
• Knowledge of General Dental Service Regulations
• Understanding of Clinical Governance

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.

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

£27,485 to £30,162 a year
Per Annum, pro rata