Specialist in Special Care Dentistry

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; England; On-site; GBP 97,000 - 113,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in England is seeking a Specialist in Special Care Dentistry for a fixed-term role in Swindon. This position involves providing quality dental care for adults with complex needs, ensuring a flexible approach across various settings. Responsibilities include clinical leadership, mentoring, and maintaining accurate patient records. Candidates must possess a Primary Dental Qualification, GDC registration, and specialist credentials. Competitive salary ranging from £97,769 to £112,360 per annum pro rata is offered, along with a supportive work environment.

Qualifications

• GDC registration is mandatory and on the Specialist list in Special Care Dentistry.
• Experience in dental treatment under General Anaesthesia is crucial.
• Knowledge of NHS legislation and governance is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide high quality specialist oral health care in various settings.
• Support local teams with complex cases and patient care.
• Maintain clinical records in the computerized system.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Behavioural management techniques

Teamwork

Patient care

Education

Primary Dental Qualification

Full registration with General Dental Council

On Specialist list for Special Care Dentistry

Job description

Go back Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist in Special Care Dentistry

The closing date is 01 February 2026

Specialist in Special Care Dentistry - 22.5hrs Per Week

Fixed Term Contract - 6 Months

We are looking for an enthusiastic Dentist to join our existing team, providing Special Care Dentistry to meet the needs of adults in the local community in Swindon.

You should be innovative, flexible and committed to working in a team environment while providing high standards of clinical care. Dental care may be provided in community, hospital or domiciliary settings and a flexible approach will be required in responding to the clinical care needs of these patients. The post holder will take a clinical leadership role in special care dentistry within the CDS team, including training and support to other members of the team, including foundation dentists and Specialist trainees. The applicant must be GDC registered and be eligible for a performer number. You should be on the GDC Specialist list in Special Care Dentistry.

The post holder will be required to work 8:30‑17:00, with one hour for lunch, 3 days per week. Our Community Dental Service has 4 dental clinics, within Wiltshire & Swindon. Because we work in domiciliary settings and within main hospitals the use of a motor vehicle is essential.

We welcome an informal contact from you (telephone calls, visits, meeting colleagues) in advance of your application. In the first instance please contact Lucy McArthur, Clinical Director on 01249 456598 or by email on [e-mail]

Main duties of the job

The post holder will take a clinical role in Special Care Dentistry within Wiltshire and Swindon, including support to other members of the dental team for a 6 month period.

The post holder will be responsible for the provision of specialist clinical dental care to adults with additional and complex needs. This may include providing comprehensive dental care under general anaesthesia where appropriate.

Dental care may be provided in community, hospital or domiciliary settings and a flexible approach will be required in responding to the clinical care needs of these patients. The post holder will be supported by a reflective, professional and supportive leadership team, working closely with the Clinical Director, Assistant Clinical Director, and Specialist Colleagues in Chippenham, Swindon and Salisbury, to offer gold standard Special Care Dentistry to the population of Wiltshire and Swindon.

About us

Our STAR values are at the heart of everything we do. You can expect to see them in the way we act and the way we treat each other. Our values make us who we are.

Service We will put our patients first

Teamwork We will work together

Ambition We will aspire to provide the best service

Respect We will act with integrity

Job responsibilities

1. To provide high quality specialist oral health care for adults with additional needs in a variety of settings, including clinics, hospitals and domiciliary settings. This will include treatment of people with learning difficulties, mental health problems and challenging behaviour, complex medical histories, mobility problems, sensory disabilities, frail older people and other adults who fall within the treatment remit.
2. The post holder will take clinical leadership role, supporting local teams with complex cases and providing care to complex patients internally referred by colleagues.
3. To undertake clinical duties, demonstrating and maintaining the competencies identified for a Band C specialist, set out in the Salaried Dentist terms and conditions of service.
4. To support and mentor other special care clinicians within the service, including accepting referrals, assisting in treatment planning and where necessary provision of dental care.
5. The Base for this post is Swindon. However, from time to time there will be a requirement to attend other clinics in the Wiltshire and Swindon area to provide Specialist opinion and treatment.
6. Patient management and dental care of patients requiring advanced behavioural management techniques and where appropriate sedation and general anaesthesia. This may include involvement in GA lists at Great Western Hospital, Swindon. There may be occasions when GA cover is also required for GA lists at the Royal United Hospital, Bath and Salisbury District hospital, Salisbury.
7. Keep comprehensive contemporaneous clinical record in the computerised software system and familiarity with computerised notes systems and use of VDUs is essential. Complete statistical returns to monitor the services provided.

Please find attached a full job description and person specification

Person Specification

Qualifications

• A Primary Dental Qualification
• Full registration with General Dental Council.
• On Specialist list for Special Care Dentistry or within 6 months of inclusion.

Experience

• Recent clinical experience in all aspects of Special care Dentistry.
• Experience in provision of dental treatment under General Anaesthesia.
• Experience of use of and provision of dental care under all appropriate conscious sedation techniques.
• Experience in the dental management of medically compromised patients.
• Experience of working in different environments; hospital, community and general dental services
• Experience of provision of care in domiciliary settings

Knowledge

• Current NHS performer number.
• Knowledge of wider NHS legislation and governance as it applies to dental specialties

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.

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

£97,769 to £112,360 a yearPer Annum Pro Rata