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Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Dental Nurse

The closing date is 19 March 2026

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Job summary

As a staff member in the integrated teams within the Orthodontic and Maxillo Facial Unit Service, the Dental Nurse will participate in the development of both units as directed by the Outpatient Sisters, ensuring a quality service.

The post holder will take an active part in the delivery of care and always ensure the safety of the patient. They will work alongside the Orthodontist chairside supporting treatments for IOTN 5 for the local population and will carry out Dental Nurse led Oral Health Education clinics for Orthodontic patients.

The Oral and Maxillo Facial Department treat a range of oral and dental conditions and undertakes outpatient procedures under local anaesthesia. It provides a nurse-led impression taking clinic for bite splints.

The post holder will also support Maxillo Facial clinics and function across the range of clinical and administrative activities within the department.

Main duties of the job

Dental Nurse Duties Summary:

  • Chairside Support: Assist and chaperone the dentist during procedures, including those involving general anaesthesia and sedation.
  • Clinical Preparation: Prepare materials, instruments, and equipment for treatments.
  • Radiography: Safely process and store x-ray films in compliance with health and safety standards.
  • Professional Standards: Maintain dental nursing registration, complete CPD, and attend relevant courses.
  • Inventory Management: Monitor and manage stock of dental materials and consumables.
  • Equipment Care: Perform routine maintenance on dental units and tools.
  • Infection Control: Sterilise instruments, clean clinical areas, and dispose of waste per guidelines.
  • Safety Checks: Conduct daily autoclave tests and monthly emergency kit inspections.
  • Ethical Practice: Follow GDC Code of Ethics and respond to child protection concerns per Trust policy.
  • Health Promotion: Support dental health initiatives and education.
  • Professional Development: Engage in appraisals and personal development planning.
  • Clinical Audit: Participate in audits through data collection and action plan implementation.

About us

We're inviting dedicated dental nurses to join our dental service, where you'll play a vital role in delivering high-quality care to patients with complex needs. This is a unique opportunity to gain experience in procedures carried out under sedation and general anaesthetic, within a supportive and clinically stimulating environment. We're committed to your professional growth and offer excellent opportunities for development and training.

Details

Date posted

05 March 2026

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

Reference number

382-CS28-26

Job locations

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals

Whinney Heys Road

Blackpool

FY3 8NR


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Assist and chaperone the dentist at the chairside during operative procedures including general anaesthesia and sedation situations.

Preparation of filling materials, impression materials, instruments, equipment and dressings etc.

Ensure safe, careful processing of x-ray films and their storage with patient records, in line with health and safety regulations.

Maintain all requirements related to the profession of dental nursing including CPD, registration and attendance at appropriate courses whether mandatory or elective.

Stock control of dental materials and other consumables.

Care and minor maintenance of dental unit, chair, handpieces and other equipment.

Decontamination / sterilisation of instruments, cleaning of work surfaces in the clinical area and safe disposal of clinical waste in accordance with departmental cross infection control guidelines.

Daily testing of bench top autoclave. Monthly checks of resuscitation drug kit and emergency oxygen.

Adhere to the General Dental Councils Code of Ethics for all professions complimentary to dentistry.

Be aware of and respond accordingly to the Trust policy where child protection issues are suspected.

Contribute to health promotion around dental issues and support initiatives in health promotion.

Participate in the annual appraisal process and the development and implementation of activities identified on the personal development plan.

Contribute to the clinical audit activities within the department through data collection and the implementation of action plans.

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Assist and chaperone the dentist at the chairside during operative procedures including general anaesthesia and sedation situations.

Preparation of filling materials, impression materials, instruments, equipment and dressings etc.

Ensure safe, careful processing of x-ray films and their storage with patient records, in line with health and safety regulations.

Maintain all requirements related to the profession of dental nursing including CPD, registration and attendance at appropriate courses whether mandatory or elective.

Stock control of dental materials and other consumables.

Care and minor maintenance of dental unit, chair, handpieces and other equipment.

Decontamination / sterilisation of instruments, cleaning of work surfaces in the clinical area and safe disposal of clinical waste in accordance with departmental cross infection control guidelines.

Daily testing of bench top autoclave. Monthly checks of resuscitation drug kit and emergency oxygen.

Adhere to the General Dental Councils Code of Ethics for all professions complimentary to dentistry.

Be aware of and respond accordingly to the Trust policy where child protection issues are suspected.

Contribute to health promotion around dental issues and support initiatives in health promotion.

Participate in the annual appraisal process and the development and implementation of activities identified on the personal development plan.

Contribute to the clinical audit activities within the department through data collection and the implementation of action plans.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSEs with grade C and above in English and Maths, or equivalent qualification
  • National Certificate in Dental Nursing or NVQ Level 3 Dental Nursing qualification
  • Valid GDC registration

Desirable

  • Post Qualification in Sedation/Special Care/Oral Health/Paediatrics/Radiography

Knowledge and Understanding

Essential

  • Duties and responsibilities of a Registered Dental Nurse
  • Knowledge of legislation related to Infection Control and Decontamination.
  • Awareness of Risk Assessment and Health and Safety Policies
  • Awareness of safeguarding issues
  • Awareness of Data Protection and Information Governance
  • Knowledge of range of NHS Community dental services
  • Up to date with legislation and current procedures relating to dentistry/Clinical Governance

Experience

Essential

  • Recent experience of working as a dental nurse
  • Experience of working in a Community Dental Service and/or General Dental Practice

Skills and Qualities

Essential

  • Effective communication with patients, the Dental Team and other health professionals
  • Good organizational and planning skills to ensure effective provision of service
  • High degree of manual dexterity, co-ordination and awareness of the use and maintenance of specialized equipment
  • Commitment to a high standard of patient care
  • Acceptance of responsibility and accountability for own work
  • Recognises the limits of own authority within the role
  • Seeks and uses professional support appropriately
  • Ability to work as an effective member of a team
  • Excellent computer skills
  • Good time management
  • Willingness to engage in CPD and regular updating and extension of skills

Physical Factors

Essential

  • Ability to withstand stressful situations/environments
  • Ability to adjust to change
  • Ability to travel between dental sites in a timely manner
  • Flexibility to meet the needs of the service
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSEs with grade C and above in English and Maths, or equivalent qualification
  • National Certificate in Dental Nursing or NVQ Level 3 Dental Nursing qualification
  • Valid GDC registration

Desirable

  • Post Qualification in Sedation/Special Care/Oral Health/Paediatrics/Radiography

Knowledge and Understanding

Essential

  • Duties and responsibilities of a Registered Dental Nurse
  • Knowledge of legislation related to Infection Control and Decontamination.
  • Awareness of Risk Assessment and Health and Safety Policies
  • Awareness of safeguarding issues
  • Awareness of Data Protection and Information Governance
  • Knowledge of range of NHS Community dental services
  • Up to date with legislation and current procedures relating to dentistry/Clinical Governance

Experience

Essential

  • Recent experience of working as a dental nurse
  • Experience of working in a Community Dental Service and/or General Dental Practice

Skills and Qualities

Essential

  • Effective communication with patients, the Dental Team and other health professionals
  • Good organizational and planning skills to ensure effective provision of service
  • High degree of manual dexterity, co-ordination and awareness of the use and maintenance of specialized equipment
  • Commitment to a high standard of patient care
  • Acceptance of responsibility and accountability for own work
  • Recognises the limits of own authority within the role
  • Seeks and uses professional support appropriately
  • Ability to work as an effective member of a team
  • Excellent computer skills
  • Good time management
  • Willingness to engage in CPD and regular updating and extension of skills

Physical Factors

Essential

  • Ability to withstand stressful situations/environments
  • Ability to adjust to change
  • Ability to travel between dental sites in a timely manner
  • Flexibility to meet the needs of the service

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals

Whinney Heys Road

Blackpool

FY3 8NR


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals

Whinney Heys Road

Blackpool

FY3 8NR


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Outpatient Department Manager

Lisa Ogden

lisa.odgen@nhs.net

01253922244

Details

Date posted

05 March 2026

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

Reference number

382-CS28-26

Job locations

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals

Whinney Heys Road

Blackpool

FY3 8NR


Supporting documents

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