Band Community​/Access Dental Officer

Band A Community/Urgent Access Dental Officer

A Community Dental officer in the Urgent Access Service plays a vital role in ensuring that people who are unable to access routine dental care still receive timely, compassionate and effective treatment when they need it most. This position is ideal for a clinician who thrives in a fast-paces, patient focused environment and is passionate about reducing oral health inequalities in the community.

The purpose of a Band A dentist working across both the Community Dental Service (CDS) and Urgent Access Service is to provide high-quality, patient-centred care to individuals who may have complex medical, social, or behavioural needs, as well as those requiring immediate dental intervention.

In the CDS, the Band A dentist focuses on delivering routine and preventive treatments to vulnerable groups, including patients with disabilities, special care requirements or limited access to mainstream dental services.

Within the Urgent Access Service, their role is to manage acute dental problems, alleviate pain and prevent escalation of oral health issues through timely interventions. By operating across these two services, the Band A dentist ensures continuity of care, promotes oral health equity, and supports the wider commitment to accessible and responsive dental care provision.

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.

We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.

We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.

Our services are provided in:

• Four main hospitals:
  Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth;
  Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen;
  Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
• Five community hospitals:
  Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire;
  Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
• Two integrated care centres:
  Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
• 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
• Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

• Full GDC Registration
• Other Postgraduate qualification in Special Care (e.g. MSc, Professional Doctorate)
• One or more of the following qualifications: MSc, FDS RCS, MFDS RCS, DSCD RCS (Eng), D Spec Care Dent RCSEd
• On the GDC Specialist Register

• Experience as a General Dental Practitioner
• Competence in diagnosing and performing urgent dental procedures, including extractions, temporary and permanent restorations, prescribing medications, in accordance with guidelines
• Experience of working in the NHS in Community Dental Service or Salaried Dental Service
• Experience of Dental Foundation/Vocational Training

• Evidence of participation in quality improvement programmes and their role in improving dental practice
• Understanding of Standards for Health and Social Care
• Knowledge of risk management
• Evidence of training in quality improvement

• A good understanding of the structure of General Dental Services and Regulations
• Ability to speak Welsh or willingness to learn

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.