Go back South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
Senior Dental Nurse
The closing date is 25 June 2026
We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Senior Dental Nurse to join our Community Dental Service. This is a key leadership and clinical role, supporting the delivery of high‑quality, safe and compassionate dental care to adults and children with additional needs across a diverse range of community settings.
As a Senior Dental Nurse, the postholder will provide day‑to‑day leadership and first‑line management of the dental nursing workforce across multiple localities. This hands‑on senior post combines clinical expertise, staff leadership and service coordination. The post holder will act as a vital link between the Dental Nurse Manager and dental nursing teams across South Tyneside, Sunderland and Gateshead.
The postholder will provide high‑level chairside support to clinicians working with patients who may have complex learning, physical, medical or behavioural needs. This includes supporting:
- Conscious sedation clinics (IV and inhalation)
- General anaesthetic and theatre‑based sessions
- Domiciliary dental visits
- Radiographic procedures in line with IRMER requirements
Be responsible for ensuring equipment is prepared, maintained and used safely, and for supporting patient monitoring and recovery in accordance with national guidance and Trust policies.
Main duties of the job
- Provide first‑line management of dental nurses, including appraisals, supervision, recruitment, induction and performance management
- Coordinate clinic allocation and dental nurse rotas across localities to ensure safe and effective service delivery
- Provide high‑level clinical dental nursing support for patients with special needs, including sedation and general anaesthesia sessions
- Assist with conscious sedation, monitoring patients pre‑, intra‑ and post‑operatively
- Support radiographic procedures in line with IRMER regulations
- Maintain and monitor specialist dental, X‑ray and medical equipment
- Ensure compliance with Trust policies, infection prevention, health and safety and clinical governance requirements
- Contribute to audits, service development and quality improvement activities
- Communicate effectively with patients, carers, clinicians and external agencies
- Be flexible to work across multiple clinics within South Tyneside, Sunderland and Gateshead, Monday to Friday
- Subject to enhanced DSB disclosure
Person Specification
Experience
- Experience of managing and supervising staff
Skills and Knowledge
- Up‑to‑date knowledge in all areas of dental nursing
- Up‑to‑date knowledge of prevention & control infection procedures
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Analytical/judgemental skills
- Flexible approach to day‑to‑day working
- Reliable evidence of CPD and strong commitment to development of dental nursing
- Knowledge of Kodak R4 Computer system
- Knowledge of special needs conditions and experience of assisting with challenging behaviours, children, medically compromised and phobic adults
Qualifications
- National Certificate for Dental Nurses or NVQ level 3 in dental nursing
- Registration with the General Dental Council
Physical skills
- Car driver and access to own car
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.
Benefits
- Outstanding benefits including Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co‑ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements
We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under‑represented groups.
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
#J-18808-Ljbffr…