The Community Dental Service is seeking a motivated and compassionate Senior Dental Nurse (Band 5) to join our team on a fixed term, part‑time basis. The Oral Health Improvement Lead will combine clinical responsibilities with a strategic leadership role in oral health prevention, carrying out routine clinical duties while dedicating one day per week to developing, implementing, and maintaining an Oral Health Prevention Strategy for Berkshire Community Dental Service in collaboration with the Senior Dental Team.
Key Responsibilities
The Oral Health Improvement Lead will act as a key liaison, providing specialist advice and guidance to colleagues across Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BHFT) and external health and social care professionals as required.
Additional responsibilities include:
- Work with the Senior Dental Team in developing the Oral Health Prevention Strategy.
- Provide staff training and distribute oral health leaflets appropriate to patient groups.
- Supply comprehensive support to clinicians during a wide range of clinical treatments.
- Render clinical support in various settings, including fixed sites, mobile dental clinics, patient homes, residential care, nursing homes, prisons, hospices, and hospitals.
- Provide clinical support to sedation clinics, with additional training offered if necessary.
- Provide clinical support at general anaesthetic sessions, with additional training offered if necessary.
- Support dental trainees and students working within the service.
- Support all patients during dental treatment, responding to individual needs and understanding how dental experiences may affect them.
- Set up and prepare the dental surgery, theatre or mobile unit at the start of each session and ensure it is left according to infection control guidelines at the end of the day.
Qualifications & Experience
- National Certificate for Dental Nurses or NVQ Level 3 in Oral Healthcare.
- Current registration with the General Dental Council (GDC).
- Evidence of ongoing Continuous Professional Development with a maintained CPD portfolio.
- Experience working as part of a dental team providing chairside support in a general practice, hospital, community dental service or public dental service.
- NEBDN post‑qualification in OHE/OHP.
- Ability to provide safe, high‑quality dental nursing care to patients of all ages, including those with additional needs.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work sensitively with anxious, distressed or vulnerable patients.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to work under pressure, using own initiative.
- Understanding of confidentiality and commitment to maintaining patient privacy at all times.
- Good IT skills, including experience using dental computer systems and software.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for travel between clinic sites.
- Flexibility to work outside standard hours (08:30–17:00) with appropriate notice.
Benefits
- Flexible working options to support work‑life balance.
- 27 days’ annual leave rising with service, with the opportunity to buy and sell.
- Generous NHS pension scheme.
- Excellent learning and career development opportunities.
- ‘Cycle to Work’ and car leasing scheme, including electric vehicles.
- Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services.
- Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants.
- Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality.
- Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave.
- Free parking across Trust sites.
Equal Opportunities
We’re committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.
This advert closes on Thursday 30 Apr 2026.
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