South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Dental Nurse

The closing date is 05 February 2026

Job summary

We are delighted to offer an excellent opportunity for two committed, compassionate, and adaptable Registered Dental Nurses to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated and possess strong clinical, communication, and interpersonal skills to support the delivery of high-quality care across our busy community clinics in South Tyneside, Sunderland, and Gateshead.

Our dental nurses work collaboratively with dentists, dental therapists, and administrative staff to ensure the highest standards of care and an exceptional experience for our diverse patient population. This role involves travel between clinic sites, hospitals, care homes, and patients homes.

You will bring experience of working within a dental team and will be responsible for chairside assistance and clerical duties essential to the smooth running of the dental surgery. The post holder will support clinicians in providing treatment for children and adults, including those who are medically compromised or have additional needs such as learning disabilities or dental anxiety.

Posts available:

One part-time post of 30 hours per week (permanent)
One full-time post (12 months fixed-term)

Main duties of the job

The successful candidates will join a team of over 50 experienced dental professionals, including dentists, dental nurses, therapists, oral health promoters, and administrative staff. Our team delivers care across clinics in Sunderland, South Tyneside, and Gateshead, as well as providing treatment at South Tyneside and Sunderland hospital sites.

In this role, you will provide clinical support for a wide range of treatments within our dental clinics and assist in theatres during general anaesthetic sessions, ensuring the highest standards of patient care. You may also contribute to screening, epidemiology, and research programmes, while maintaining compliance with all relevant policies and procedures.

Although you will be allocated a base location, flexibility is essential as you will work across multiple clinics within South Tyneside, Sunderland, and Gateshead. This is Monday to Friday post, supporting service delivery across the region.

We are looking for candidates who are forward-thinking, motivated, and adaptable to the needs of the service. In return, we offer excellent educational opportunities, ongoing training, and continuous professional development to help you grow and succeed in your role.

About us

Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Date posted

22 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year pro-rata for part time hours

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

C9155-CMNM-0126-33

Job locations

Clarendon

Windmill Way

Hebburn

NE31 1AT

Job description

Job responsibilities

PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.

To work flexibly within a dental team providing high quality care to a wide spectrum of patients across SOTW, which includes the provision of dental general anaesthesia, sedation services, domiciliary services and routine dental care.

Job description

Job responsibilities

PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.

Person Specification

Physical Skills

Essential

Car driver and valid driving license.
Ability to use electronic resources to input, save and provide data and information.

Experience

Essential

Relevant experience working as part of a dental team, e.g. General Practice, Hospital, CDS experiencing chair side duties.
Experience of working with children, elderly, medically compromised patients and patients with learning disabilities.

Desirable

Dental Nursing Experience:
Relative Analgesia.
Intravenous Sedation.
General Anaesthetic.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

Knowledge of dental procedures.
Good working knowledge of cross infection procedures.
Evidence of good communication & interpersonal skills.
Knowledge of dental computer systems.
Flexible approach to day to day working.
Reliable and punctual.

Desirable

Knowledge of special needs conditions and experience of assisting with challenging behaviours, children, medically compromised and phobic adults.
ILS/PILS training.
Knowledge of Sensei.

Qualifications

Essential

Dental Nurse qualification that enables registration with
the General Dental Council i.e. NVQ Level 3, Level 3
Diploma in Dental Nursing or Dental Nursing National
Certificate in Dental Nursing / Gained entry onto GDC
register via grand-parenting (pre 2008)
Registration with the General Dental Council.

Desirable

Post qualification in Special Care dentistry, Conscious sedation, Radiography (Post holder will be required to gain post qualification in order to meet service needs within 3 years).

Person Specification

Physical Skills

Essential

Car driver and valid driving license.
Ability to use electronic resources to input, save and provide data and information.

Experience

Essential

Relevant experience working as part of a dental team, e.g. General Practice, Hospital, CDS experiencing chair side duties.
Experience of working with children, elderly, medically compromised patients and patients with learning disabilities.

Desirable

Dental Nursing Experience:
Relative Analgesia.
Intravenous Sedation.
General Anaesthetic.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

Knowledge of dental procedures.
Good working knowledge of cross infection procedures.
Evidence of good communication & interpersonal skills.
Knowledge of dental computer systems.
Flexible approach to day to day working.
Reliable and punctual.

Desirable

Knowledge of special needs conditions and experience of assisting with challenging behaviours, children, medically compromised and phobic adults.
ILS/PILS training.
Knowledge of Sensei.

Qualifications

Essential

Dental Nurse qualification that enables registration with
the General Dental Council i.e. NVQ Level 3, Level 3
Diploma in Dental Nursing or Dental Nursing National
Certificate in Dental Nursing / Gained entry onto GDC
register via grand-parenting (pre 2008)
Registration with the General Dental Council.

Desirable

Post qualification in Special Care dentistry, Conscious sedation, Radiography (Post holder will be required to gain post qualification in order to meet service needs within 3 years).

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.