Job summaryWe are proud to offer an outstanding opportunity for a Consultant in Special Care Dentistry to join our newly established, forward-thinking multidisciplinary Community Dental Service team. This is a unique chance to play a key role in shaping a growing service within Hywel Dda University Health Board (HDUHB), making a meaningful impact on the oral health and wellbeing of vulnerable adults across West Wales.
In this role, you will deliver high-quality Special Care Dentistry, including conscious sedation and general anaesthesia, across a diverse and rewarding clinical environment. As part of an expanding and ambitious team, you will also contribute to service development, helping to strengthen and advance comprehensive oral care pathways throughout our three counties.
Whether you are newly qualified and eager to begin your consultant career, or an experienced clinician seeking a fresh, inspiring challenge, this role offers the chance to thrive in a supportive, collaborative, and progressive setting--while enjoying the exceptional lifestyle benefits that West Wales has to offer.
Main duties of the job- Provide and coordinate comprehensive Special Care Dentistry services for vulnerable adults, covering all aspects of clinical care, leadership, and associated management responsibilities.
- Lead and support research activity within the CDS directorate, ensuring alignment with the HDUHB Research and Development framework and informing future service delivery.
- Develop integrated oral care pathways through effective collaboration with other healthcare providers, external organisations, and agencies supporting vulnerable adult groups.
- Contribute to the development, implementation, and monitoring of the HDUHB Oral Health Plans and the wider Health Board Plan.
- Provide professional leadership for all Community Dental Service staff, fostering a positive and productive working environment.
- Work closely with clinical and professional colleagues to maintain the productivity and job satisfaction of CDS staff, which may include participating in staff appraisal processes.
- Represent HDUHB at regional and national groups related to Special Care Dentistry, such as Managed Clinical Networks, where appropriate.
About usHywel 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
Job responsibilitiesFor full details of the role requirements please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for this vacancy.
Discussions around working pattern will take place during initial job planning, where preferences, requirements and options can be discussed and explored in full.
Please see the below links for useful videos relating to this vacancy:
- Hywel Dda 3 Counties - Apply through our website
- Lifestyle in Wales - Apply through our website
- Medical Leadership in Hywel Dda - Apply through our website
Person SpecificationQualificationsEssential- Full GDC Registration
- On the GDC Specialist Register
- Membership in Special Care Dentistry or equivalent
- Valid Certified Intermediate Life Support Skills (or equivalent international qualification)
Desirable- Other postgraduate qualification in Special Care (e.g. MSc, Professional Doctorate)
- One or more of the following qualifications: MSc, FDS RCS, MFDS RCS, MSCD RCS (Ed), DSCD RCS (Eng)
Clinical ExperienceEssential- Broad based experience in Special Care Dentistry including experience of working within Community Dental Services
- Successful completion of SAC- approved 3-year minimum training programme in Special Care Dentistry with CCT
- Or: on the GDC Specialist Register in Special Care Dentistry
- Competence in sedation, general anaesthesia and management of individuals and groups of vulnerable people requiring Special Care Dentistry
Desirable- Experience of working in the NHS
Clinical GovernanceEssential- Evidence of participation in quality improvement programmes and their role in improving dental practice
Desirable- Evidence of training in quality improvement
ResearchEssential- Experience and knowledge of critical appraisal of evidence
- Publication/posters of relevant review articles or case reports
Desirable- Evidence of initiating, progressing and concluding research projects with publication
- Research degree
TeachingEssential- Evidence of organising programmes and teaching undergraduates and postgraduates
Desirable- Organisation of further teaching programmes in dental education
- Further training or qualifications in education
ManagementEssential- Knowledge of the management and structure of the NHS
- Experience in day-to-day organisation of Special Care Dentistry within the Community Dental Services
Desirable- Evidence of leadership attributes
- Evidence of management training
OtherDesirable- Ability to speak Welsh or willingness to learn
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 SponsorshipApplications 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 UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Hywel Dda University Health Board is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all sections of the community. 
