Self-Employed Dental Hygienist/Dental Therapist

Smile Together; Bodmin; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused dental service in Cornwall is seeking a Self-Employed Dental Hygienist/Therapist dedicated to improving oral health. In this role, you will deliver high-quality preventive, periodontal, and restorative care while collaborating with a supportive team. Responsibilities include patient assessments, treatment planning, and providing oral health advice. The ideal candidate will have a recognized qualification in Dental Hygiene and full registration with the General Dental Council, showcasing strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to patient care.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Access to ongoing CPD

Inclusive workplace culture

Qualifications

• Recognised qualification in Dental Hygiene and Therapy.
• Current registration with the General Dental Council.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality preventive and restorative care.
• Provide personalised preventive and oral hygiene advice.
• Maintain meticulous clinical records and comply with governance standards.

Skills

Compassionate

Excellent interpersonal skills

Ability to work independently

Strong patient-centred approach

Education

Diploma of Dental Hygiene/Therapist

Full registration with the General Dental Council

Job description

Self-Employed Dental Hygienist/Dental Therapist

Escapethe ordinary and experience the exceptional in Cornwall one of the UKs mostbeautiful and inspiring places to live and work.

AtSmile Together, were redefining dentistry. As a certified B Corp andemployee-owned Community Interest Company (CIC), we combine clinical excellencewith social purpose, investing profits back into services, our people, and thecommunities we serve.

Are you a clinician who is compassionate, community-minded,and motivated to make a positive impact? Then this role is for you.

What Youll Be Doing

Deliver high-quality preventive, periodontal, and restorative care (if applicable) to a diverse patient population.

Work as part of a supportive multidisciplinary team committed to reducing oral health inequalities and improving long-term oral health across Cornwall.

Undertake oral health assessments, including periodontal charting and risk assessment.

Provide thorough scale and polish treatments and non-surgical periodontal therapy

Deliver personalised preventive and oral hygiene advice tailored to individual needs.

Apply fluoride varnish and fissure sealants as appropriate.

Main duties of the job

Additional responsibilities for a Therapist

• Carry out paediatric preventive and restorative dentistry, including stainless steel crowns on primary teeth (Hall technique where appropriate).
• Extract primary teeth where clinically indicated.

Provide direct-access assessments, hygiene and periodontal treatments and restorations for adults within GDC scope of practice.

• Take and interpret radiographs within scope.
• Place temporary dressings, re-cement crowns, and carry out emergency care as needed.

What Youll Bring

• Recognised qualification in Dental Hygiene and Therapy (Diploma or BSc), or a Dental Hygiene qualification for those applying for a hygiene-only role.
• Current registration with the General Dental Council (without conditions).
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a compassionate, patient-centred approach.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• A genuine enthusiasm for improving oral health access in Cornwall.

About us

Why Choose Smile Together?

Were expanding our services, with multipleopportunities across three locationstwo private-only practices offering high-quality patient-led care, and onemixed NHS/private clinic supporting a broad range of patient needs.

Modern,purpose-built surgeries equipped with the latest dental technology.

Thechance to work within a B Corp certified, employee owned social enterprise withstrong values and a commitment to social impact.

Asupportive, inclusive workplace culture that prioritises wellbeing andprofessional fulfilment.

Flexibleworking options and a healthy work-life balance.

Accessto ongoing CPD, training and development opportunities.

Apply Today

If youd like to discuss this role or find out more contact 07355090789for an informal discussion.

Job responsibilities

Providingprivate and NHS dental hygiene therapy in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly,working alongside dentists to deliver high-quality patient care in accordancewith current guidance, including BSP recommendations. This role may focussolely on hygiene therapy, supporting overall dental health and preventativecare for patients.

As a DentalHygienist/Therapist for Smile Together, you must take personal responsibilityfor understanding and complying with the Standards for Dental Professionals setby the General Dental Council (2013), Smile Togethers standards, and allrelevant clinical guidance including BSP recommendations. You are accountablefor maintaining high standards of professional conduct and delivering safe,effective hygiene therapy within both NHS and private settings, in accordancewith any requirements set by government, regulatory bodies, licensing agencies,or professional associations governing your practice.

• Providing high-quality private and NHS dental hygiene therapy toadults and children, including preventive treatments, oral health promotion andperiodontal care, in accordance with evidence-based guidance such as BSPrecommendations, SDCEP and FGDP guidance.

Delivering care in line with the scope of practice for DentalHygienists (and therapists) ensuring appropriate assessment, treatment planningand patient education to support long-term oral health.

Working collaboratively with dentists and wider clinical teams tosupport integrated patient care, including appropriate referral, prescribingand communication regarding clinical findings. Refer patients appropriately todentists or other professionals when care falls outside scope of practice.

Provide care under Direct Access in accordance with GDC guidanceand local governance arrangements.

Maintaining meticulous clinical records, adhering to GDC Standardsfor the Dental Team and all relevant governance, safeguarding anddata-protection requirements.

Actively engaging with Smile Together teams and participating inpeer review, clinical audit, planning and development sessions, in-housemeetings and quality-improvement initiatives.

Being responsible for safe working and practice on a day-to-daybasis within clinical sites, ensuring compliance with clinical governance,health and safety legislation, infection prevention and control protocols, andreporting accidents, incidents and near misses using the Smile Togetherincident reporting procedure.

Supporting the delivery of agreed activity levels and workingtowards key performance indicators relevant to hygiene therapy and preventativeservices.

Maintaining and developing clinical competency and continuingprofessional development according to agreed training needs via the SmileTogether Training portal (Agilio) and external educational providers.

Developing, maintaining and sharing a personal development plan(PDP) as required by GDC standards.

Supporting colleagues in the delivery of dental services,contributing to a positive, collaborative and patient-centred environment.

Working alongside clinical and professional support colleagues tofacilitate ongoing organisational development and service improvement.

Travelling to and working from other locations when required,integrating effectively with local teams to ensure consistent standards ofcare.

Contributing to the success of Smile Together by demonstratingprofessionalism, accountability, and a commitment to high-quality patient care.

Acting as an ambassador for the companys vision, mission andvalues, leading by example in behaviour and conduct.

Maintaining strong IT skills, including effective use of thePatient Management System and digital clinical tools.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Diploma of Dental Hygiene/Therapist
• Full registration with the General Dental Council without conditions

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.