Senior Dental Nurse

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Senior Dental Nurse to join our Community Dental Service. This is a key leadership and clinical role, supporting the delivery of highquality, safe and compassionate dental care to adults and children with additional needs across a diverse range of community settings.

As a Senior Dental Nurse, the postholder will provide daytoday leadership and firstline management of the dental nursing workforce across multiple localities.

This is a handson senior post, combining clinical expertise, staff leadership and service coordination. The post holder will act as a vital link between the Dental Nurse Manager and dental nursing teams across South Tyneside, Sunderland and Gateshead.

The postholder will provide highlevel chairside support to clinicians working with patients who may have complex learning, physical, medical or behavioural needs. This includes supporting:

Conscious sedation clinics (IV and inhalation)

General anaesthetic and theatre-based sessions

Domiciliary dental visits

Radiographic procedures in line with IRMER requirements

Be responsible for ensuring equipment is prepared, maintained and used safely, and for supporting patient monitoring and recovery in accordance with national guidance and Trust policies.

Main duties of the job

Provide first-line management of dental nurses, including appraisals, supervision, recruitment, induction and performance management

Coordinate clinic allocation and dental nurse rotas across localities to ensure safe and effective service delivery

Provide high-level clinical dental nursing support for patients with special needs, including sedation and general anaesthesia sessions

Assist with conscious sedation, monitoring patients pre-, intra- and post-operatively

Support radiographic procedures in line with IRMER regulations

Maintain and monitor specialist dental, xray and medical equipment

Ensure compliance with Trust policies, infection prevention, health and safety and clinical governance requirements

Contribute to audits, service development and quality improvement activities

Communicate effectively with patients, carers, clinicians and external agencies

Although the post holder will be allocated a base location, flexibility is essential. The postholder will work across multiple clinics within South Tyneside, Sunderland, and Gateshead to support service delivery. This is a MondaytoFriday role, requiring adaptability and a commitment to providing excellent care across the region.

This post is subject to enhanced DSB disclosure.

Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.