Therapist in Special Care Dentistry

Job description

Job summary

Bristol Dental Hospital (BDH) is looking for a motivated and compassionate Dental Therapist to join our Special Care Dentistry team.

This is a great opportunity to work in a specialist service supporting patients with complex medical, physical, psychological and social needs. You'll play a key role in delivering high-quality, patient-centred care, while helping to improve access for some of our most vulnerable patient groups.

You'll be responsible for providing a wide range of dental treatments in line with your scope of practice, including restorative care, periodontal treatment, preventative work and (where trained) inhalation sedation.

Main duties of the job

You'll be involved in a varied and rewarding caseload, including:

• Providing a full range of dental therapy treatments within GDC scope of practice
• Assessing, diagnosing and treatment planning within your competence
• Delivering periodontal care, restorations, extractions of deciduous teeth and preventative treatments
• Supporting patients with additional needs through clear communication and tailored care
• Working closely with Consultants, Specialty Dentists and the wider MDT to support patient pathways
• Supporting students and trainees as a mentor or educational supervisor where required

About us

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as 'Good' overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward- thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Youll be involved in a varied and rewarding caseload, including:

• Providing a full range of dental therapy treatments within GDC scope of practice
• Assessing, diagnosing and treatment planning within your competence
• Delivering periodontal care, restorations, extractions of deciduous teeth and preventative treatments
• Supporting patients with additional needs through clear communication and tailored care
• Working closely with Consultants, Specialty Dentists and the wider MDT to support patient pathways
• Supporting students and trainees as a mentor or educational supervisor where required

Job description
Job responsibilities

Youll be involved in a varied and rewarding caseload, including:

• Providing a full range of dental therapy treatments within GDC scope of practice
• Assessing, diagnosing and treatment planning within your competence
• Delivering periodontal care, restorations, extractions of deciduous teeth and preventative treatments
• Supporting patients with additional needs through clear communication and tailored care
• Working closely with Consultants, Specialty Dentists and the wider MDT to support patient pathways
• Supporting students and trainees as a mentor or educational supervisor where required

Person Specification

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Broad experience within General Dental Practice and/or Community/Hospital Dental Services
• Up-to-date knowledge of preventative dentistry and evidence-based oral health promotion
• Understanding of IR(ME)R regulations relating to radiography

Desirable

• Experience managing anxious patients, patients with special needs and those presenting with challenging behaviour
• Experience supervising or mentoring students/trainee Dental Hygienist/Therapists
• Understanding of clinical governance, audit and quality improvement processes

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including advanced communication skills beyond routine dental care
• Ability to obtain consent and explain treatment plans clearly to patients, carers and agencies
• Competence in IT systems and clinical documentation
• Ability to plan, deliver and evaluate oral health education programmes

Desirable

• Effective team working and leadership skills, including supervision of dental nurses and students
• Ability to manage time and resources effectively within a clinical setting
• Manual handling awareness and safe patient management skills

Qualifications and Training

Essential

• BSc in Oral Health Science or Diploma in Dental Hygiene/Therapy
• Full registration with the General Dental Council
• CPR trained and up to date with resuscitation training
• Evidence of continuing professional development in line with GDC requirements

Desirable

• Certificate in Oral Health Education
• Training in inhalation sedation
• Manual Handling training

Aptitudes

Essential

• Ability to work independently and use own initiative (
• High level of manual dexterity and attention to detail
• Commitment to delivering compassionate, patient-centred care
• Professional integrity aligned with the values of University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust Respecting Everyone, Embracing Change, Recognising Success and Working Together
• Adaptability and openness to service development and change
• Resilience when working with vulnerable or complex patient groups

Desirable

• Reflective approach to personal and professional development

Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Broad experience within General Dental Practice and/or Community/Hospital Dental Services
• Up-to-date knowledge of preventative dentistry and evidence-based oral health promotion
• Understanding of IR(ME)R regulations relating to radiography

Desirable

• Experience managing anxious patients, patients with special needs and those presenting with challenging behaviour
• Experience supervising or mentoring students/trainee Dental Hygienist/Therapists
• Understanding of clinical governance, audit and quality improvement processes

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including advanced communication skills beyond routine dental care
• Ability to obtain consent and explain treatment plans clearly to patients, carers and agencies
• Competence in IT systems and clinical documentation
• Ability to plan, deliver and evaluate oral health education programmes

Desirable

• Effective team working and leadership skills, including supervision of dental nurses and students
• Ability to manage time and resources effectively within a clinical setting
• Manual handling awareness and safe patient management skills

Qualifications and Training

Essential

• BSc in Oral Health Science or Diploma in Dental Hygiene/Therapy
• Full registration with the General Dental Council
• CPR trained and up to date with resuscitation training
• Evidence of continuing professional development in line with GDC requirements

Desirable

• Certificate in Oral Health Education
• Training in inhalation sedation
• Manual Handling training

Aptitudes

Essential

• Ability to work independently and use own initiative (
• High level of manual dexterity and attention to detail
• Commitment to delivering compassionate, patient-centred care
• Professional integrity aligned with the values of University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust Respecting Everyone, Embracing Change, Recognising Success and Working Together
• Adaptability and openness to service development and change
• Resilience when working with vulnerable or complex patient groups

Desirable

• Reflective approach to personal and professional development

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.
Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the .

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. .
UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

Additional information
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the .

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. .
UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)
Address

Bristol Dental Hospital

Lower Maudlin Street

Bristol

BS1 2LY

United Kingdom

Employer's website