The Community Dental Service is seeking a motivated and compassionate Senior Dental Nurse (Band5) to join our team on a fixed term, part‑time basis. The Oral Health Improvement Lead will combine clinical responsibilities with a strategic leadership role in oral health prevention. In addition to carrying out routine clinical duties, the post holder will dedicate one day per week to developing, implementing, and maintaining a comprehensive Oral Health Prevention Strategy for Berkshire Community Dental Service, working closely with the Senior Dental Team.
The Oral Health Improvement Lead will act as a key liaison, providing specialist advice and guidance to colleagues across Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BHFT), as well as to external health and social care professionals as required.
Appropriate additional training will be provided where required to support the post holder in fulfilling the role effectively.
This role is part‑time, 30 hours per week, worked over4 days,08:30 – 17:00, and is ideal for a Dental Nurse who enjoys working as part of a multidisciplinary team in a community setting. You will be professionally accountable to the Head of Service and line‑managed by the Community Dental Service Manager / Operations Manager. Opportunities for development and training are actively supported within the service
Main duties of the job
- To work with the Senior Dental Team in developing this strategy.
- To provide staff training and provision of oral health leaflets appropriate to the patient group.
- To provide comprehensive support to clinicians, throughout a wide range of different types of clinical treatments.
- To provide clinical support as described above within a wide range of settings – including fixed sites and clinics, mobile dental clinics, and other environments which include patients' homes, residential care and nursing homes, prisons, hospices and hospitals.
- To provide clinical support to sedation clinics – additional training will be provided if necessary
- To provide clinical support at general anaesthetic sessions – additional training will be provided if necessary.
- To provide support to dental trainees and students working within the service.
- To support all patients as they undergo dental treatment responding to individual patient's needs, understanding how they may be affected by dental experiences. www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk
- To set up and prepare the dental surgery, theatre or mobile dental unit for use at the beginning of the session and ensure that it is left as defined by the control of infection guidelines at the end of the day.
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
- 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
Job responsibilities
The must haves for this role:
National Certificate for Dental Nurses or NVQ Level 3 in Oral Healthcare
Current registration with the General Dental Council (GDC)
Evidence of ongoing Continuous Professional Development with a maintained CPD portfolio
Experience working as part of a dental team providing chairside support in a dental setting (general practice, hospital, CDS or PDS)
Ability to provide safe, high quality dental nursing care to patients of all ages, including those with additional needs
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work sensitively with anxious, distressed or vulnerable patients
Strong organisational skills and the ability to work under pressure, using own initiative
Understanding of confidentiality and commitment to maintaining patient privacy at all times
Good IT skills, including experience using dental computer systems and software
Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for travel between clinic sites
Flexibility to work outside standard hours (08:30 17:00) with appropriate notice
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications/Training
- National Certificate for Dental Nurses or NVQ Level 3 in Oral Healthcare
- Registered with the General Dental Council
Continuous Professional Development
- Portfolio of evidence of CPD
Previous Experience
- To have worked as part of a dental team, e.g. general practice, hospital, other PDS / CDS providing chair side duties
- 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 working in secure establishments
- Experience in assisting clinicians when treating patients under sedation and/or general anaesthesia
- Experience of delivering oral health improvement programs.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- 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
- 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.
£32,073 to £39,043 a year per annum, pro rata
#J-18808-Ljbffr”, “datePosted”: “2026-05-12”, “hiringOrganization”: { “@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust”, “sameAs”: “https://uk.whatjobs.com/pub_api__cpl__429304635__4861?utm_campaign=publisher&utm_medium=api&utm_source=4861&geoID=427” }, “jobLocation”: { “@type”: “Place”, “address”: { “@type”: “PostalAddress”, “addressLocality”: “Thatcham” } } }The Community Dental Service is seeking a motivated and compassionate Senior Dental Nurse (Band5) to join our team on a fixed term, part‑time basis. The Oral Health Improvement Lead will combine clinical responsibilities with a strategic leadership role in oral health prevention. In addition to carrying out routine clinical duties, the post holder will dedicate one day per week to developing, implementing, and maintaining a comprehensive Oral Health Prevention Strategy for Berkshire Community Dental Service, working closely with the Senior Dental Team.
The Oral Health Improvement Lead will act as a key liaison, providing specialist advice and guidance to colleagues across Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BHFT), as well as to external health and social care professionals as required.
Appropriate additional training will be provided where required to support the post holder in fulfilling the role effectively.
This role is part‑time, 30 hours per week, worked over4 days,08:30 – 17:00, and is ideal for a Dental Nurse who enjoys working as part of a multidisciplinary team in a community setting. You will be professionally accountable to the Head of Service and line‑managed by the Community Dental Service Manager / Operations Manager. Opportunities for development and training are actively supported within the service
Main duties of the job
- To work with the Senior Dental Team in developing this strategy.
- To provide staff training and provision of oral health leaflets appropriate to the patient group.
- To provide comprehensive support to clinicians, throughout a wide range of different types of clinical treatments.
- To provide clinical support as described above within a wide range of settings – including fixed sites and clinics, mobile dental clinics, and other environments which include patients’ homes, residential care and nursing homes, prisons, hospices and hospitals.
- To provide clinical support to sedation clinics – additional training will be provided if necessary
- To provide clinical support at general anaesthetic sessions – additional training will be provided if necessary.
- To provide support to dental trainees and students working within the service.
- To support all patients as they undergo dental treatment responding to individual patient’s needs, understanding how they may be affected by dental experiences. www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk
- To set up and prepare the dental surgery, theatre or mobile dental unit for use at the beginning of the session and ensure that it is left as defined by the control of infection guidelines at the end of the day.
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
- 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
Job responsibilities
The must haves for this role:
National Certificate for Dental Nurses or NVQ Level 3 in Oral Healthcare
Current registration with the General Dental Council (GDC)
Evidence of ongoing Continuous Professional Development with a maintained CPD portfolio
Experience working as part of a dental team providing chairside support in a dental setting (general practice, hospital, CDS or PDS)
Ability to provide safe, high quality dental nursing care to patients of all ages, including those with additional needs
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work sensitively with anxious, distressed or vulnerable patients
Strong organisational skills and the ability to work under pressure, using own initiative
Understanding of confidentiality and commitment to maintaining patient privacy at all times
Good IT skills, including experience using dental computer systems and software
Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for travel between clinic sites
Flexibility to work outside standard hours (08:30 17:00) with appropriate notice
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications/Training
- National Certificate for Dental Nurses or NVQ Level 3 in Oral Healthcare
- Registered with the General Dental Council
Continuous Professional Development
- Portfolio of evidence of CPD
Previous Experience
- To have worked as part of a dental team, e.g. general practice, hospital, other PDS / CDS providing chair side duties
- 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 working in secure establishments
- Experience in assisting clinicians when treating patients under sedation and/or general anaesthesia
- Experience of delivering oral health improvement programs.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- 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
- 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.
£32,073 to £39,043 a year per annum, pro rata
#J-18808-Ljbffr…