Senior Dental Nurse

South Tyneside And Sunderland Nhs Foundation Trust; North East; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust seeks a Senior Dental Nurse to lead and support dental nursing teams across community settings. The role blends clinical chairside expertise with staff leadership and service coordination, linking the Dental Nurse Manager with teams in South Tyneside, Sunderland and Gateshead.

The post involves guiding clinical sessions, including sedation clinics and theatre-based care, ensuring safe equipment use and adherence to national guidance.

Qualifications

• Registered GDC in the UK with current registration.
• NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in dental nursing.
• NVQ Level 4 post-qualification in dental nursing is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and oversee dental nurse rotas and clinic allocation across multiple sites.
• Support recruitment, induction and ongoing training of staff.
• Lead appraisals and personal development reviews; support performance and career development.
• Provide clinical leadership, supervision and mentorship to the dental nursing team.

Skills

Dental nursing knowledge

Infection prevention & control

Communication skills

Analytical & judgemental

Flexibility

CPD commitment

Education

National Certificate for Dental Nurses or NVQ Level 3 in dental nursing

National Dental Nursing post-qualification NVQ Level 4

General Dental Council registration

Tools

Kodak R4

Job description

Job summary

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Senior Dental Nurse to join our Community Dental Service. This is a key leadership and clinical role, supporting the delivery of high quality, safe and compassionate dental care to adults and children with additional needs across a diverse range of community settings. This is a hands on senior post, combining clinical expertise, staff leadership and service coordination. The post holder will act as a vital link between the Dental Nurse Manager and dental nursing teams across South Tyneside, Sunderland and Gateshead. The postholder will provide high level chairside support to clinicians working with patients who may have complex learning, physical, medical or behavioural needs. This includes supporting:

• Conscious sedation clinics (IV and inhalation)
• General anaesthetic and theatre-based sessions
• Domiciliary dental visits
• Radiographic procedures in line with IRMER requirements

Be responsible for ensuring equipment is prepared, maintained and used safely, and for supporting patient monitoring and recovery in accordance with national guidance and Trust policies.

Main duties of the job

As a Senior Dental Nurse, the postholder will provide day to day leadership and first line management of the dental nursing workforce across multiple localities. You will play a central role in ensuring services run safely and efficiently by:

• Coordinating and overseeing dental nurse rotas and clinic allocation
• Supporting recruitment, induction and ongoing training of staff
• Leading appraisals and personal development reviews, supporting performance and career development
• Providing clear clinical leadership, supervision and mentorship to the dental nursing team

Job responsibilities

Responsible for work and clinic allocation to ensure the smooth facilitation of all dental clinics across South Tyneside, Gateshead and Sunderland. To provide the day to day first line management to dental nurses and oversee the administration team. Full job description available via attachment.

Essential skills and knowledge

• Up to date knowledge in all areas of dental nursing
• Up to date knowledge of prevention and control of infection procedures
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Analytical and judgemental skills
• Flexible approach to day to day working
• Reliable evidence of CPD and strong commitment to development of dental nursing

Desirable skills and knowledge

• Knowledge of Kodak R4 Computer system
• Knowledge of special needs conditions and experience of assisting with challenging behaviours, children, medically compromised and phobic adults

Essential experience

• General dental nursing experience
• Experience of managing and supervising staff

Desirable experience

• Management or leadership qualification

Essential qualifications

• National Certificate for Dental Nurses or NVQ level 3 in dental nursing
• National Dental Nursing post qualification NVQ level 4
• Registration with the General Dental Council

Essential physical skills

• Car driver and access to own car

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Employer name: South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
Website: https://www.stsft.nhs.uk
Contact
For questions about the job, contact Leanne Hindmarch, Dental Nurse Manager, at [e-mail]

Closing date: 10 November 2026
Band: Band 5 (Agenda for change)
Working pattern: Part-time, 30 hours per week

We welcome all applications irrespective of people's race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under-represented groups. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.