Qualified Dental Nurse
BHSCT_Qualified Dental Nurse - Dental Services_Band 4
Location: ROYAL DENTAL HOSPITAL
Salary: Band 4 (£27,485 - £30,162)
Contract Type: Permanent
Closes: Fri, 20 November 2026 @ 4:30 PM

We accept online applications only. Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards.

Flexible Working
We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role.

Job Summary / Main Purpose
To work within the dental team providing high quality care to a wide spectrum of patients, specialties and services across localities within BHSCT Dental Services. Dental Nurses will be located with a base clinic/department but will be expected to work flexibly across different sites where dental treatment is provided and can be assigned to any clinical, theatre or community area and may be rotated through departments when required. There will be variation in starting and finishing times to meet the clinical needs of the service.

To provide chairside assistance to students and clinicians within the dental service and arranging/supporting the clinician with any necessary screening/domiciliary visits.

To carry out clerical and administrative duties to ensure efficient operation of the clinic/department.

Main Duties / Responsibilities

• Ensure chairside support to the clinician within the various departments, clinics, theatre and dental settings whilst ensuring high standards of care for all patients, including those with special needs.
• Prepare and monitor patients for and during dental treatment providing pre and post-operative instructions as required.
• Ensure medical emergency drugs and equipment are available and up to date.
• Give appropriate care for patients undergoing GA, sedation or relative analgesia.
• Recognise and assist with dental and medical emergencies.
• Provide chairside assistance and post-operative instructions during exodontia sessions as required within the oral surgery, paediatric and community.
• Assist in the smooth running of the dental clinic/department.
• Ensure general care and cleanliness of the clinical area including dental equipment/instruments and arrange any necessary repairs as required.
• Lay out instruments and equipment using aseptic techniques.
• Maintain appropriate sterile techniques and provide chairside assistance during all dental procedures. Anticipate operators and patient needs, maintain a clear field of vision, pass and transfer instruments to the operator, prepare and mix materials and medicaments for the particular treatment undertaken.
• Clear and reset dental units between patients ensuring adherence to cross infection control procedures.
• Ensure that all requisite materials are available in the clinical area, for e.g. impression materials, filling materials and dressings.
• Participate in stock management and identify areas of concern to the Senior Dental Nurse.
• Prepare dental instruments and hand pieces for decontamination, ensure traceability, adhering to laid down procedures.
• Receive patients into the clinical area and escort patients to other departments as required for e.g. Dental Radiography Department and treatment room within dental services.
• Ensure the patient's dental charts are available prior to commencement of clinic. Undertake duties associated with patient attendances including accessing computer system for appointments, recalls, letters and statistics.
• Answer and respond to telephone queries relating to patient treatment.
• Ensure that appropriate clinical/laboratory request forms are available and assist to complete forms, for e.g. patient name, address and dental number.
• Record patient's dental condition and treatment under direction of dentist as required; undertake clinical dictation/note taking and charting.
• Maintain and prepare equipment and materials for dental radiography. Prepare patients for radiographs within the Clinic. Process radiographs.
• Monitor and maintain stock levels and inform the Senior DN levels are low.
• Assist if required in stocktaking to meet statutory financial requirements.
• Dispose of hazardous and non-hazardous waste to minimise cross-infection, according to BHSCT Policy.
• Liaise with dental Laboratories, other Clinics and disciplines in connection with models, appliances, specimens and results in relation to patient treatment and care.
• Accompany the clinician to other hospital units, Nursing home or school screening and domiciliary visits, to assist with the treatment of dental patients as and when required.
• Explain recommended oral hygiene techniques/aids; provide pre and post-operative advice under the direction and responsibility of the Dentist as required.
• Assist at chair side in Post Graduate courses and other dental courses, participate in research and audit projects as and when required.
• Assist with the supervision of Student Dental Nurses.
• Participate in the clinical induction and support of new staff/students in the Clinical area under the direction of the Senior DN and Dental Nurse Manager.
• Any other duties assigned to the Qualified DN by the Senior DN or Dental Nurse Manager as required.

Education, Research and Practice Development

• Support and assist the undergraduate dental students.
• Participate in audits, Involving People and Quality Improvement projects.
• Maintain mandatory training as specified by BHSCT.
• Maintain CPD training in line with GDC requirements.

Health & Safety Requirements

• Wear the appropriate PPE clothing and safety equipment provided as appropriate.
• Maintain high standards of work practices; adhere to BHSCT policies relation to Health & Safety and C.O.S.H.H. regulations.

General Responsibilities

• At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner.
• The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency. The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with Belfast Trust's Whistleblowing Policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.
• Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them.
• Comply with the Trust's Smoke Free Policy.
• Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with the Health and Safety Policies and Statutory Regulations.
• Adhere to Equality and Good Relations duties throughout the course of their employment.
• Ensure the on-going confidence of the public in-service provision.
• Maintain high standards of personal accountability.
• Comply with the HPSS Code of Conduct.

Essential Criteria

• National Certificate for Dental Nurses, or Recognised Dental Hospital Certificate in Dental Nursing, or NVQ Level 3 in Oral Health Care
• GDC Registered Dental Nurse
• 2 Years relevant clinical experience
• Effective communication skills, basic computer skills, good team working and organisational skills
• Full driving licence and access to a car (waived where a disability prohibits driving, with reasonable financial assistance for alternative transport)

Desirable Criteria

• Evidence of ongoing CPD requirements as laid down by GDC
• Previous experience in a dental hospital setting or community dental setting

Records Management: All employees of Belfast Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, Data Protection Act 1998 and GDPR (2018). Applicants must have the legal right to live and work in the United Kingdom; failure to produce evidence will result in a non-appointment.