Dental Nurse

Go back Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 24 July 2026

To work flexibly within the dental team providing high quality dental care for a wide range of patients including adults and children with additional needs and the medically compromised.

To provide comprehensive support to clinicians in the performance of a range of work activities which are appropriate to a trained and qualified dental nurse. In areas such as the dental department, schools and nurseries, residential homes, patient homes and hospitals.

To carry out clerical and administrative duties to ensure the efficient operation of the service.

• Works with clinical operators providing patient care.
• Constantly interprets the needs of the patient, carers / support and clinicians.
• Works with dental equipment including sharp and fine instruments within the confines of the oral cavity.
• Provides advice for patients /carers/support/families about dental procedures including pre and post operative advice, management of complications and pain control.
• Prepares the surgeries and other clinical areas prior to clinical sessions and closes down at the end of sessions.
• Carries out performance checks and daily maintenance of dental equipment including assembly and dismantling. Ensure operational readiness and report faulty equipment.
• Ensure that routine and emergency equipment is checked and available.
• Cleans, disinfects and sterilises contaminated equipment, instruments and treatment areas between each patient following cross infection procedures.
• Prepares the clinical area for the patient using knowledge and experience to select the appropriate equipment, materials and instruments.
• Process digital radiographs.
• Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team providing dental treatment.
• Work in the decontamination rooms processing instruments.

The Community Dental Team are a small but progressive team who value the workforce. Our primary role is to help people with additional needs overcome barriers so they may access dental care. Patients are referred to us from other social and healthcare professionals to obtain urgent or ongoing dental provision. We have clinics in Torquay, Newton Abbot, Day Surgery Unit at Torbay Hospital and domiciliary care.

• Treat everyone with respect and dignity.
• Maintain privacy and secure confidential information.
• Keep calm and professional in all circumstances.
• Seek out, recognise and value the contributions of your work colleagues.
• Be open, honest and do what you say you will do.
• Act with professional integrity at all times.
  
  Take personal responsibility and be accountable for one's actions.
• Be familiar with the departmental processes.
• Ensure high quality of care is delivered.
• Work in partnership with colleagues/departments to provide seamless care.
• Help and support colleagues so that we work well together to achieve our team goals.
• Putting the needs of the patients and service users first.
• Show empathy, sensitivity, compassion and understanding at all times, the role at times can be challenging. We encourage and pride ourselves on having an open culture in order to create a better outcome for our service users and staff alike.
• Listen attentively and respect others in conversation.
• Committed to working together with colleagues to improve the patient experience.
• Endeavour to continuously improve and implement change positively.
• Continually review our processes and deal with complaints in order to improve the patient experience.

• NEBDN or NVQ level 3 level qualification in Dental Nursing
• Experience working in a community or hospital setting

• Ability to manage own workload and prioritise tasks
• Good literacy and numeracy skills

• Experience of dental software packages
• Experience of working with patients with additional needs and/or challenging behaviour

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.

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust