A leading dental practice is seeking a Specialist in Special Care Dentistry in Bodmin, Cornwall. The role involves providing exceptional care to vulnerable patients, mentoring clinicians, and using sedation techniques. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor in Dental Surgery and be GDC registered. This position offers a unique opportunity to make a community impact while working in a supportive environment.
Were Hiring a Full-Time/Part-Time Specialist in Special care
Location: Bodmin Cornwall
Bonus: Golden Hello Closing Date: 6th October 2025 *We have the right to close this advert early.
Are you passionate about providing exceptional dental care to patients with additional needs? We are seeking a Specialist in Special Care Dentistry to join our compassionate and dedicated team based in Bodmin, in the heart of beautiful Cornwall.
Do you want to be part of a team where your work truly impacts your community, the environment, and the future of healthcare? Then Smile Together is the place for you!
Cornwall offers a unique combination of natural beauty, affordable living, and a welcoming community. With beaches, countryside, and vibrant local culture, Bodmin provides the perfect backdrop for both personal and professional fulfilment.
Key accountabilities:
What are we looking for?
As part of our community dental service, you will play a vital role in delivering high-quality dental care to patients who are unable to access routine services due to physical, intellectual, medical, or emotional conditions.
Responsible for the provision of a range of clinical dental services for adults and young people meeting the definition of Special Care Dentistry described in the NHSE Service Specification in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, unable to access a General Dental Practitioner, and for visitors to the county requiring emergency care.
WhyJoin Us?
Weremore than just a dental practice, were proud to be
TheUKs first dental practice to be B Corp certified
aCommunity Interest Company (CIC)
employee-owned,giving our team a voice within the business
Thismeans were committed to doing business differently for the benefit of ourpeople, the communities we serve, and our planet. From reducing ourenvironmental toothprint with sustainable practices, to playing an activerole in improving oral health across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, ourmission goes beyond dentistry: we change lives and wed love you to be part ofthat!
Readyto make a real difference with a team thats passionate about people, theplanet, and positive change? Join Smile Together today!
You will need to be able to demonstrate that you have theright to work in the UK as we do not offer sponsorship and that you are able tocommute to the place of work.
GDC registration as a Specialist in Special Care Dentistry withoutconditions
Job Summary:
To provide comprehensive oral care,including unscheduled care, for vulnerable adults and children with complexdental needs, and for those requiring treatment with sedation and generalanaesthesia.
Support and mentor new and existingclinicians within the Special Care team and dentists on the JFDCT program,providing training where required alongside the Clinical Director andcolleagues within the service.
The post holder will be expected towork closely with the Clinical Director and support other dentists, includingSpecialists in Paediatric and Special Care Dentistry, urgent care dentists andDental Therapists.
The post holder will:
Maintainan understanding of, and work in accordance with the contractual obligations ofSmile Together with regards to the criteria for patients referred to the Adultand Paediatric Special Care Service.
Work inaccordance with the professional standards set out by the General DentalCouncil.
Beresponsible for maintaining a Personal Development Plan and ContinuedProfessional Development log.
Maintainup-to-date knowledge of best practice and evidence-based guidance of (but notlimited to):
o Clinical examination and record keeping
o Oral health prevention strategies
o Radiography
o Antimicrobial prescribing
o Management of acute dental conditions
Consent and correctdocumentation of extractions
o Management of dental trauma (adult and paediatric)
o Management of endodontic emergencies
o Management of patients with additional needs andcomplex medical histories.
Maintain an awarenessof current and correct referral criteria and pathways.
Support the ClinicalDirector in the development and maintenance of the Special Care Service and theclinicians that work within it.
Acknowledge aresponsibility to highlight areas of development or gaps in their own skills orknowledge with the Clinical Director so that appropriate support may beprovided.
Be responsible forsupervising newly appointed Dentists ensuring induction training is completedand understood, and that compliance with clinical governance and legislation,evidence-based guidance, and health and safety procedures are adopted and adheredto.
Workinnovatively to optimise clinical efficiency and patient experience inaccordance with evidence-based best practice.
Activelyengage with Smile Together teams and participate in audit activities,development, and in-house meetings etc.
Be preparedto support colleagues including Joint Dental Foundation Core Trainees.
Beprepared to deliver in-house training classroom sessions or webinars whenrequired to do so.
Beprepared to undertake temporary duties away from their home base (withreasonable notice) when service output requires.
Undertakeother reasonable duties as requested by the Clinical Director.
As an employee you must take personalresponsibility for understanding and complying with Smile Togethers standardsand any other Standards of Professional Conduct of any government, regulatoryorganisation, licensing agency, or professional association governing yourprofessional activities.
Keyaccountabilities:
GDC registration, NHSperformer number and indemnity certificate.
High clinical and ethicalstandards, reflective practitioner.
Experience in supportingline managers, an ability to provide and receive feedback.
Good communication and negotiationskills.
Established and successfulrelationship-building skills.
Strategic thinking andproblem-solving skills.
Able and willing to adaptand change with the times as legislative requirements, technologies, materials,and methods change.
Compliance with appropriatehealth, safety and security procedures within the work areas, reportingaccidents, incidents and near misses using the company reporting framework.
Be responsible, alongsidethe Clinical Director, for the induction of clinicians new to the Special CareService.
Be responsible, alongsidethe Clinical Director of Workforce Development, for the appraisal anddevelopment of clinicians working within the Special Care Service.
To deliverSpecial Care Dentistry services to adult patients. Provideadvice andsupport to colleagues for patients under 16 when required.
To undertake thedelivery of Special Care Dentistry services using conscious sedationtechniques.
To lead anddeliver dental care under General Anaesthesia
To work with theLead Anaesthetist for Adults with Additional Needs in improving GA servicesincluding patient assessment, effective use of sessions and developing aculture of continuous improvement.
To provide expertadvice and guidance to colleagues for patients with Special Care Dentistryneeds.
To develop carepathways with colleagues in other clinical disciplines in both medicine anddentistry so the right patient receives the right care in the right place atthe right time.
Support andparticipate in the SW England MCN for Special Care Dentistry
Support andparticipate in the SW England local sedation network meetings.
Support andadvise on the development and delivery of Specialist Training in Special CareDentistry in Cornwall
Work with medicaland dental colleagues to develop a culture of understanding of Special CareDentistry, leading to a Primary Care network of mutual support to improvepatient care.
Provide teachingof undergraduates in Special Care Dentistry in GA theatres
Create a strongculture of confidence in Special Care Dentistry in Primary Care.by Working withthe Clinical Leadership team and Peninsular Dental School to develop aprogramme of Special Care teaching and experience for undergraduate students atPeninsular Dental School.
Work with theoutreach dental therapy team to develop care pathways and services tovulnerable groups within coastal communities and other locations in Cornwallincluding traveller communities, homeless people, refugees, and asylum seekers.
Support thedevelopment of bariatric dental care in Cornwall.
Support thedelivery of teaching and training in conscious sedation for dental nurses,dentists, and dental therapists.
Support dentalnurses undertaking the NEBDN course in Special Care Dentistry.
Support theClinical Leadership team with advice and guidance on matters relating toclinical and other services and to assist with service improvement.
Develop clinicalleadership skills to strengthen succession planning at senior leadership level.
Bean ambassador for the companys vision, mission and values and demonstraterelated behaviours
Toprofessionally represent Smile Together as an ambassador for the company inthis role, leading by example
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.
* The salary benchmark is based on the target salaries of market leaders in their relevant sectors. It is intended to serve as a guide to help Premium Members assess open positions and to help in salary negotiations. The salary benchmark is not provided directly by the company, which could be significantly higher or lower.