Dental Therapist

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced dental therapist to join the Service on a 12 month fixed term maternity cover basis, with excellent people and organisational skills and a keen interest in treating special needs children. A positive attitude, good communication skills coupled with a commitment to best practice in clinical care is vital. The ability to work in a busy environment whilst remaining calm and to lead projects to completion in challenging circumstances is essential.

The capacity to work independently, proactively and under pressure is also important.

Wolverhampton Special Care Dental Service provides dental care for individuals with a variety of disabilities and complex medical conditions. The post involves treating special care adults and children on the mobile dental unit and at our static dental clinics. You will be supported by an able and enthusiastic team and work in excellent facilities.

The post holder will have full registration with the General Dental Council, be able to demonstrate proven clinical care skills to a high standard, have excellent patient management skills and should have experience of treating a wide spectrum of patients.

Applicants must be flexible as deployment across multiple sites will be required with travel around Wolverhampton to reach the communities we serve.

Job Summary

To work flexibly within a dental team providing high quality dental care, as prescribed by a registered dentist, for a wide spectrum of patients including adults, children, patients with special needs medically compromised patients and hard to reach groups.

To undertake clinical duties within their scope of practice to support the on‑going development of the service, to meet the needs of the local population and provide a true Special Care Dentistry.

Communicate with a range of patients and their families on individual clinical issues and communicate with all members of the clinical team and peers in an appropriate way and also with other health and social care professionals involved in the care of patients.

The post holder will ensure his or her own Continuing Professional Development is maintained.

The post holder will be required to work in the specialist clinical disciplines of Special Care Dental.

To supervise trainee and unqualified staff, as required, in the department.

To work within codes of practice and professional guidelines.

To be accountable for own professional actions under General Dental Council guidelines.

To ensure effective contribution to the delivery of the organisational and departmental objectives.

Clinical Duties and Responsibilities :

• With regards to clinical duties the post holder will work to the prescription of a dentist.
• To provide highly specialist quality dental care for adult and child patients who are eligible for treatment in the Special Care Dental Service with a wide range of treatment needs including those who:
  • Have high levels of untreated decay
  • Have complex medical conditions
  • Have physical disabilities
  • Have learning disabilities
  • Experience mental ill‑health or live with mental health conditions
  • Are socially excluded and unable to access dental care in the General Dental Service (eg sex workers, substance misuse, homeless etc)
• Clinical sessions may be undertaken at fixed or mobile clinics, or on a domiciliary basis in patients' homes, hospitals or other institutions as determined by the needs of the service.
• To provide dental hygiene care to a wide range of patients.
• To plan, develop, implement and evaluate appropriate interventions to prevent disease and promote health for individual patients.
• To obtain a detailed dental history from patients and evaluate their medical history.
• To screen, record and monitor the incidence of periodontal disease.
• To provide preventive oral care to patients and liaise with dentists over the treatment of caries, periodontal disease and tooth wear.
• To undertake supragingival and subgingival scaling and root debridement using manual and powered instruments.
• To use appropriate anti‑microbial therapy to manage plaque related diseases.
• To adjust restored surfaces in relation to…