Job summary
Expected Shortlisting
Date
20/10/2025
Planned Interview
Date
03/11/2025
An
exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit part time (15 per week, Thu &
Fri, job share), Band 5, Senior Dental Nurse to join the current Leeds Dental
Institute team working in the Bradford Outreach Dental Teaching Unit at
Westbourne Green.
This
part-time role offers the chance to work in a 7 dental chair teaching clinic,
supporting both patient care and the development of future dental
professionals.
As
a Senior Dental Nurse, you will provide leadership within the clinic,
ensuring safe, effective, and high-quality care. You will supervise and
inspire apprentice dental nurses, dental undergraduates, and hygiene and
therapy students, while overseeing staff rotas, clinic organisation, and
compliance with Trust and University standards. Working as part of a
supportive multidisciplinary team, you will play a key role in driving
innovation and positive change.
We
are seeking a qualified Dental Nurse with current GDC registration and proven
supervisory experience. Additional post-qualification certificates (e.g.
radiography) are desirable. Above all, you will be organised, adaptable, and
committed to patient-centred care, teamwork, and service improvement.
In
return, we offer excellent professional development opportunities, supportive
colleagues, and a range of staff benefits.
Main duties of the job
The
Senior Dental Nurse is responsible for leading and managing both qualified
and apprentice dental nurses within the teaching unit. The post holder
ensures staffing ratios are maintained, clinics run efficiently, and high
standards of patient care are consistently delivered. The role involves
coordinating service delivery and administrative support, providing
chair-side assistance to the multidisciplinary team, and supporting dental
undergraduates, hygiene and therapy students, and apprentices in their clinical
education and development.
Key
responsibilities include planning and managing patient appointments,
overseeing stock control, managing departmental budgets, and ensuring
equipment maintenance and reporting. The Senior Dental Nurse also handles
initial patient complaints, contributes to new policies and working
practices, and supports staff induction and ongoing professional development.
The
role requires excellent communication, organisational, and interpersonal
skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively within a
multidisciplinary environment. This position is pivotal in ensuring
operational efficiency, smooth clinic workflow, high-quality patient care,
and the mentoring of future dental professionals. The Senior Dental Nurse
acts as a role model for clinical excellence, leadership, and team
development.
About us
Leeds
Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK and
employs more than 20,000 staff across seven hospitals on six sites.
Leeds
Dental Institute is a teaching hospital hosting over 80,000 patient episodes
per year and providing training and education for all members of the Dental
Team.
In
2018 the Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated our service as 'Outstanding'.
Interested
individuals can look forward to the challenges that a position working in one
of the largest NHS trusts in the UK will bring.
Rewards
and benefits
Generous
annual leave entitlement with 27 days plus Bank Holidays for staff who are
new to the NHS
NHS
Pension Scheme
Development
opportunities, including both professional and leadership development
Friendly,
supportive and caring colleagues
Support
for Parents and Carers
A
variety of other staff resources and benefits including employee assistance
programme, discount gym membership, car schemes
Leeds
Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk'
members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts
are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove
adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the
shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this
process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any
questions.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Role:
Senior Dental Nurse
Grade:
Band 5
Hours:
15 per week (Thu & Fri, job share)
Location:
Leeds Dental Institute - Outreach Facility, Westbourne Green, Bradford
Reports
to: Lead Dental Nurse & Head of Dental Nursing
The
Senior Dental Nurse will directly manage the day to day running of the dental
teaching unit, ensuring the efficient and effective provision of support to
practising clinical staff and students. You will supervise and support both
Apprentice Dental Nurses and Qualified Dental Nurses, fostering professional
development and maintaining high standards of care.
You
will participate in the clinical care of patients, providing chair-side
assistance to clinicians, dental students and hygiene and therapy students in
both general and complex dental treatments. This includes managing patient
care and wellbeing until discharge, including patients requiring out-of-hours
transport, and overseeing patient flow and chair usage to ensure comfort and
dignity at all times. You will also be responsible for preparing and
maintaining clinical areas, ensuring high standards of cleanliness and
adherence to hospital Infection Prevention & Control policies.
The
role includes assisting with the induction, teaching and supervision of
learners and other staff, supporting the development of practical skills,
clinical knowledge, and professional behaviours. You will communicate
effectively with the multidisciplinary team including staff from the School
of Dentistry at the University of Leeds, to promote continuity of care and
collaborative working, ensuring that patient-centred care remains a priority.
You
will maintain a high standard of professionalism, respecting patient
confidentiality and dignity, and take responsibility for your own personal
development, including completing all mandatory training. You will also
contribute to quality improvement initiatives, participate in audits, and
ensure compliance with all Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust policies,
including Infection Prevention, Health and Safety, and clinical governance
procedures.
For
further information, please see the attached trust job description and person
specification for a full list of duties and responsibilities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Role:
Senior Dental Nurse
Grade:
Band 5
Hours:
15 per week (Thu & Fri, job share)
Location:
Leeds Dental Institute - Outreach Facility, Westbourne Green, Bradford
Reports
to: Lead Dental Nurse & Head of Dental Nursing
The
Senior Dental Nurse will directly manage the day to day running of the dental
teaching unit, ensuring the efficient and effective provision of support to
practising clinical staff and students. You will supervise and support both
Apprentice Dental Nurses and Qualified Dental Nurses, fostering professional
development and maintaining high standards of care.
You
will participate in the clinical care of patients, providing chair-side
assistance to clinicians, dental students and hygiene and therapy students in
both general and complex dental treatments. This includes managing patient
care and wellbeing until discharge, including patients requiring out-of-hours
transport, and overseeing patient flow and chair usage to ensure comfort and
dignity at all times. You will also be responsible for preparing and
maintaining clinical areas, ensuring high standards of cleanliness and
adherence to hospital Infection Prevention & Control policies.
The
role includes assisting with the induction, teaching and supervision of
learners and other staff, supporting the development of practical skills,
clinical knowledge, and professional behaviours. You will communicate
effectively with the multidisciplinary team including staff from the School
of Dentistry at the University of Leeds, to promote continuity of care and
collaborative working, ensuring that patient-centred care remains a priority.
You
will maintain a high standard of professionalism, respecting patient
confidentiality and dignity, and take responsibility for your own personal
development, including completing all mandatory training. You will also
contribute to quality improvement initiatives, participate in audits, and
ensure compliance with all Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust policies,
including Infection Prevention, Health and Safety, and clinical governance
procedures.
For
further information, please see the attached trust job description and person
specification for a full list of duties and responsibilities.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience and knowledge of chairside assisting, including materials and equipment used.
- Substantial experience as a Dental Nurse.
- Experience of managing clinical resources and patient flow effectively.
Desirable
- Management or supervisory experience, including supporting and training team members.
- Experience working across dental specialties (e.g. Oral Surgery, Restorative & Paediatric Dentistry).
- Experience in stock control and ordering.
- Experience in budget management.
- Knowledge or involvement in clinical audits.
- Computer literacy and use of clinical systems.
- Understanding of Clinical Governance.
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Awareness of infection prevention and control procedures
- Awareness of decontamination procedures
- Awareness of information governance procedures
- Awareness of Health & Safety procedures
- Please provide any additional information you feel is relevant to your application for this Senior Dental Nurse role
Qualifications
Essential
- Applicants must hold a recognised dental nurse qualification (e.g., National Certificate for Dental Nurses, NVQ Level 3 in Dental Nursing, or Hospital Certificate).
- Current Dental Nurse registration with the General Dental Council.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
- Maths and English GCSE (A-C / 4-9) or equivalent.
Desirable
- Post qualification certificate (e.g. Dental Radiography, Oral Health)
Skills & Behaviours
Essential
- Experience supporting team training and development.
- Ability to work flexibly to meet service demands.
Skills & behaviours
Essential
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
- Strong problem-solving skills, able to respond quickly and efficiently to challenges.
- Demonstrable leadership skills.
- Ability to work under pressure and adapt to the needs of the service.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise competing demands.
- Commitment to delivering high standards of care and professionalism.
- Skills in patient advocacy
- IT skills relevant to clinical and administrative duties.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience and knowledge of chairside assisting, including materials and equipment used.
- Substantial experience as a Dental Nurse.
- Experience of managing clinical resources and patient flow effectively.
Desirable
- Management or supervisory experience, including supporting and training team members.
- Experience working across dental specialties (e.g. Oral Surgery, Restorative & Paediatric Dentistry).
- Experience in stock control and ordering.
- Experience in budget management.
- Knowledge or involvement in clinical audits.
- Computer literacy and use of clinical systems.
- Understanding of Clinical Governance.
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Awareness of infection prevention and control procedures
- Awareness of decontamination procedures
- Awareness of information governance procedures
- Awareness of Health & Safety procedures
- Please provide any additional information you feel is relevant to your application for this Senior Dental Nurse role
Qualifications
Essential
- Applicants must hold a recognised dental nurse qualification (e.g., National Certificate for Dental Nurses, NVQ Level 3 in Dental Nursing, or Hospital Certificate).
- Current Dental Nurse registration with the General Dental Council.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
- Maths and English GCSE (A-C / 4-9) or equivalent.
Desirable
- Post qualification certificate (e.g. Dental Radiography, Oral Health)
Skills & Behaviours
Essential
- Experience supporting team training and development.
- Ability to work flexibly to meet service demands.
Skills & behaviours
Essential
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
- Strong problem-solving skills, able to respond quickly and efficiently to challenges.
- Demonstrable leadership skills.
- Ability to work under pressure and adapt to the needs of the service.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise competing demands.
- Commitment to delivering high standards of care and professionalism.
- Skills in patient advocacy
- IT skills relevant to clinical and administrative duties.
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.
