Job summary
Expected Shortlisting
Date
02/02/2026
Planned Interview
Date
11/02/2026
An
exciting opportunity has arisen for motivated and experienced Senior Dental
Nurses (Band 5) with demonstrable leadership skills to join the Leeds Dental
Institute leadership team. Posts are available across the Restorative
Dentistry, Paediatric Dentistry and Dental Outreach service at Chapel
Allerton Hospital.
The
Leeds Dental Institute is a highly regarded, forward-thinking and
well-established service within the Trust and we are looking for innovative
individuals who are committed to delivering high-quality patient-centred
care.
As
the Senior Dental Nurse, you will provide leadership within the clinic and be
responsible for continuing to deliver exceptional standards of safe,
effective care to ensure that it consistently meets Trust and Leeds
University School of Dentistry standards.
You
must have commitment to putting patients' needs first within a friendly,
supportive, efficient, clean and safe environment, providing a high standard
of care whilst always ensuring patients are treated with the utmost respect.
In
return we will offer:
Development opportunities, including both professional and leadership
development
Support through every step of the way from recruitment to when you join our
team and beyond
Friendly, supportive and caring colleagues
Main duties of the job
The
Senior Dental Nurse is responsible for day to day management of Qualified and
Apprentice Dental Nurses within the clinical departments ensuring that
staffing ratios are maintained.
The
post holder is expected to have excellent communication, organisational and
interpersonal skills and must be able to work as part of a team or
independently.
The
post involves supporting and providing chair side assistance to the
multidisciplinary dental team, including dental undergraduate and
postgraduate students in busy clinical areas within various departments of
the Leeds Dental Institute and outreach sites.
Assists
with recruitment and selection of new staff taking part in interviews with
Head of Dental Nursing.
Liaises
with Tutors regarding Apprentice Dental Nurses and manages the clinical
teaching of apprentices within the department.
Responsible
for rotas to ensure that dental nurse, staff and apprentice ratios are
maintained.
Handles
complaints from patients/members of the public initially (both direct or
phone) and reports back to management regarding written complaints received
by Trust.
Assists
in the implementing of new working practices and policies as they arise.
Supports
the education and induction of the whole dental team.
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 provides 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 as a
Dental Nurse in one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK will bring.
Rewards
and benefits:
Generous annual leave entitlement
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 scheme
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
Reports to: Lead Dental Nurse/Head of Dental Nursing
Available Posts:
Chapel Allerton Hospital Dental Outreach Facility
Part-time 22.5 hours per week (Monday, Tuesday & Friday) to job-share with the current Senior Dental Nurse.
The unit comprises 13 dental chairs with a combination of dental surgeries and teaching clinic.
Restorative Dentistry Department
Part-time 22.5 hours per week (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday). Working alongside the current team of Senior Dental Nurses.
The department comprises 78 dental chairs with a combination of dental surgeries and teaching clinics.
Paediatric Dentistry Department
Full-time 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday)
Part-time 15 hours per week (TBC)
The department comprises 16 dental chairs with a combination of dental surgeries and teaching clinic.
The post holder will be responsible for the direct management, supervision of Qualified and Apprentice Dental Nurses across the department and outreach sites, ensuring the effective provision of dental nursing support to all practising clinical staff.
Key duties include:
Day to day management of the dental nursing team including rotas, attendance monitoring, appraisals and recruitment.
Participation in the clinical care of patients, assisting the dental team in clinics and surgeries as required and managing the patients care and wellbeing through to discharge, including arrangements for out of hours transport when necessary.
Managing patient flow and dental chair utilisation in line with workload demands, ensuring patient comfort and efficient use of staff and equipment resources.
Ensuring clinical areas are prepared to a high standard of cleanliness and maintained in accordance with hospital and national Infection Control policies.
Preparing for and providing close support to clinicians, undergraduate dental students and postgraduate students in the care and management of patients undergoing both general and complex dental treatments.
Communicating effectively with members of the multidisciplinary team to promote continuity of care and effective team working.
Assisting with the teaching, training and supervision of learners and staff.
Respecting patient dignity and confidentiality at all times and maintaining a high standard of professionalism.
Taking responsibility for personal development and ensuring completion of all mandatory training requirements.
Working collaboratively with colleagues to maintain and improve the quality of services, including compliance with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust policies and participation in relevant audits.
Demonstrating sound knowledge of Infection Prevention, Health & Safety procedures and applying these in daily practice.
For further details regarding the responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Role: Senior Dental Nurse Grade Band 5
Reports to: Lead Dental Nurse/Head of Dental Nursing
Available Posts:
Chapel Allerton Hospital Dental Outreach Facility
Part-time 22.5 hours per week (Monday, Tuesday & Friday) to job-share with the current Senior Dental Nurse.
The unit comprises 13 dental chairs with a combination of dental surgeries and teaching clinic.
Restorative Dentistry Department
Part-time 22.5 hours per week (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday). Working alongside the current team of Senior Dental Nurses.
The department comprises 78 dental chairs with a combination of dental surgeries and teaching clinics.
Paediatric Dentistry Department
Full-time 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday)
Part-time 15 hours per week (TBC)
The department comprises 16 dental chairs with a combination of dental surgeries and teaching clinic.
The post holder will be responsible for the direct management, supervision of Qualified and Apprentice Dental Nurses across the department and outreach sites, ensuring the effective provision of dental nursing support to all practising clinical staff.
Key duties include:
Day to day management of the dental nursing team including rotas, attendance monitoring, appraisals and recruitment.
Participation in the clinical care of patients, assisting the dental team in clinics and surgeries as required and managing the patients care and wellbeing through to discharge, including arrangements for out of hours transport when necessary.
Managing patient flow and dental chair utilisation in line with workload demands, ensuring patient comfort and efficient use of staff and equipment resources.
Ensuring clinical areas are prepared to a high standard of cleanliness and maintained in accordance with hospital and national Infection Control policies.
Preparing for and providing close support to clinicians, undergraduate dental students and postgraduate students in the care and management of patients undergoing both general and complex dental treatments.
Communicating effectively with members of the multidisciplinary team to promote continuity of care and effective team working.
Assisting with the teaching, training and supervision of learners and staff.
Respecting patient dignity and confidentiality at all times and maintaining a high standard of professionalism.
Taking responsibility for personal development and ensuring completion of all mandatory training requirements.
Working collaboratively with colleagues to maintain and improve the quality of services, including compliance with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust policies and participation in relevant audits.
Demonstrating sound knowledge of Infection Prevention, Health & Safety procedures and applying these in daily practice.
For further details regarding the responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience as a Dental Nurse
- Knowledge of dental procedures
- Experience managing clinical resources, patient flow, and supporting a team
Desirable
- Management and supervisory experience
- Experience working within a dental specialty (e.g., Implants, Sedation, Paediatrics, Restorative Dentistry)
- Experience in ordering, stock control, and budget management
- Knowledge of clinical audit processes
- Proficiency in computer systems and software
- Understanding of Clinical Governance principles
- Awareness of Infection Prevention, decontamination, and Health & Safety procedures
Qualifications
Essential
- Must possess a Certificate in Dental Nursing
- Dental Nurse registration with the General Dental Council
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Maths and English GCSE A-C or 4-9 or equivalent
Desirable
- Post qualification certificate
- Additional competencies
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Awareness of Infection Prevention and Control, Decontamination, Information Governance, Health & Safety procedures
Skills & behaviours
Essential
- Evidence of leadership skills and ability to support team members
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
- Ability to work under pressure and adapt to service needs
- Excellent organisational, interpersonal, and communication skills (written and verbal)
- Professionalism and commitment to delivering high standards of patient care
- Skills in patient advocacy
- IT literacy
Desirable
- Ability to support staff training and development
- Able to work flexibly
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience as a Dental Nurse
- Knowledge of dental procedures
- Experience managing clinical resources, patient flow, and supporting a team
Desirable
- Management and supervisory experience
- Experience working within a dental specialty (e.g., Implants, Sedation, Paediatrics, Restorative Dentistry)
- Experience in ordering, stock control, and budget management
- Knowledge of clinical audit processes
- Proficiency in computer systems and software
- Understanding of Clinical Governance principles
- Awareness of Infection Prevention, decontamination, and Health & Safety procedures
Qualifications
Essential
- Must possess a Certificate in Dental Nursing
- Dental Nurse registration with the General Dental Council
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Maths and English GCSE A-C or 4-9 or equivalent
Desirable
- Post qualification certificate
- Additional competencies
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Awareness of Infection Prevention and Control, Decontamination, Information Governance, Health & Safety procedures
Skills & behaviours
Essential
- Evidence of leadership skills and ability to support team members
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
- Ability to work under pressure and adapt to service needs
- Excellent organisational, interpersonal, and communication skills (written and verbal)
- Professionalism and commitment to delivering high standards of patient care
- Skills in patient advocacy
- IT literacy
Desirable
- Ability to support staff training and development
- Able to work flexibly
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.
