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Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Dental Nurse

The closing date is 01 October 2025

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Job summary

Hours - 37.5 hrs per week working part time/full time with a minimum of 3 days and maximum of 5 days from 08.30 - 17.00 Monday - Friday

Salary - £27,485 - £30,162 pro-rata depending on experience.

Base - Whitley Dental Clinic

Berkshire Community Dental Service is looking to recruit a part-full time dental nurse based at our Whitley clinic. This will be for a minimum of 3 days and maximum of 5 days.

The nurse will join an enthusiastic and skilled workforce with a great team spirit. The service has 7 clinics ranging from Thatcham to Langley and over 40 members of staff. The service treats patients with additional needs including children, people with learning and physical disabilities and the elderly.

You will be based at Berkshire Community Dental Clinic in Whitley, but will also work at other clinics and in the domiciliary setting. It is therefore essential that you can drive, have a UK driving licence and a car for travel between clinics and hospitals.

There are excellent opportunities for gaining experience in treating patients under sedation and general anaesthetic. The service has hoists and a wheelchair tipper/bariatric bench. Professional development and training are encouraged. Annual leave is 5-6 weeks pro rata depending on experience.

Main duties of the job

The key duties are:

  • You will work in a multi-surgery clinic, having support from other colleagues.

  • You will assist in the provision of dental care for children with high levels of dental disease and children and adults with additional needs.

  • You will have the opportunity to provide care in the domiciliary setting.

  • You will assist in the provision of care for patients under inhalation sedation.

  • You will assist on general anesthetic sessions.

About us

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

  • Caring for and about you is our top priority
  • Committed to providing good quality, safe services
  • Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

  • Flexible working options to support work-life balance
  • 27 days' annual leave rising with service + 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

Details

Date posted

24 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

371-CHS1096

Job locations

Dental Staffing

Reading

RG2 7PJ


Job description

Job responsibilities

The must haves for you to be considered for this role:

  • GDC Registration.

  • National Certificate for Dental Nurses or NVQ Level 3 in Oral Healthcare.

  • Have a car and driving licence.

  • Good communication skills.

  • A team player.

  • Experience with dental software and general IT skills.

  • Ability to work outside normal working hours (8.30 17.00) given sufficient notice

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

Were 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.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible

Job description

Job responsibilities

The must haves for you to be considered for this role:

  • GDC Registration.

  • National Certificate for Dental Nurses or NVQ Level 3 in Oral Healthcare.

  • Have a car and driving licence.

  • Good communication skills.

  • A team player.

  • Experience with dental software and general IT skills.

  • Ability to work outside normal working hours (8.30 17.00) given sufficient notice

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

Were 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.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential

  • National Certificate for Dental Nurses or NVQ Level 3 in Oral Healthcare
  • Registered with the General Dental Council

Desirable

  • Additional qualification

Continuous Professional Development

Essential

  • Portfolio of evidence of CPD

Previous Experience

Essential

  • To have worked as part of a dental team, e.g. general practice, hospital, other PDS / CDS providing chair side duties

Desirable

  • Experience of managing a dental clinic including decontamination, health and safety, management of the clinic diary and ordering consumables
  • Other experiences relevant to CDS such as working with the elderly, children and patients with special needs
  • Experience in assisting clinicians when treating patients under sedation and/or general anaesthesia

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Communication and interpersonal skills
  • Understand principles of confidentiality
  • Organisational skills and initiative
  • Ability to work under pressure and on own initiative
  • Excellent computer skills including experience with dental software
  • Ability to deal with emotional and distressing situations

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • Current UK driving license
  • Use of car for travel between clinics
  • Ability to work outside normal working hours (8.30 - 17.00) given sufficient notice
Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential

  • National Certificate for Dental Nurses or NVQ Level 3 in Oral Healthcare
  • Registered with the General Dental Council

Desirable

  • Additional qualification

Continuous Professional Development

Essential

  • Portfolio of evidence of CPD

Previous Experience

Essential

  • To have worked as part of a dental team, e.g. general practice, hospital, other PDS / CDS providing chair side duties

Desirable

  • Experience of managing a dental clinic including decontamination, health and safety, management of the clinic diary and ordering consumables
  • Other experiences relevant to CDS such as working with the elderly, children and patients with special needs
  • Experience in assisting clinicians when treating patients under sedation and/or general anaesthesia

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Communication and interpersonal skills
  • Understand principles of confidentiality
  • Organisational skills and initiative
  • Ability to work under pressure and on own initiative
  • Excellent computer skills including experience with dental software
  • Ability to deal with emotional and distressing situations

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • Current UK driving license
  • Use of car for travel between clinics
  • Ability to work outside normal working hours (8.30 - 17.00) given sufficient notice

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

Dental Staffing

Reading

RG2 7PJ


Employer's website

https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

Dental Staffing

Reading

RG2 7PJ


Employer's website

https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Lead Dental Nurse

Meenu. Gopakumar

meenu.gopakumar@berkshire.nhs.uk

01189041525

Details

Date posted

24 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

371-CHS1096

Job locations

Dental Staffing

Reading

RG2 7PJ


Supporting documents

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