Job Description

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Community Dental Officer

The closing date is 28 October 2025

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Community Dental Service covering South of Tyne and Wear. This post will suit a dentist who is committed to providing a high standard oral health care in a friendly, supportive environment.

We are seeking a dentist who is enthusiastic, caring and with good interpersonal, and clinical skills, to treat patients of a diverse population. The role involves the provision of general dental care to individuals who would otherwise find access to traditional services challenging. Emphasis on anxiety management, paediatric and special care dentistry and the requirement to travel across sites is required.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work 8 sessions per week full time equivalent and be expected to meet the competencies for a Band A dentist.

You must be fully registered with the UK General Dental Council and be eligible for the National Dental Performers List without conditions or restrictions.

You will be able to demonstrate relevant clinical experience and have evidence in a portfolio of continuing professional development. You must also have excellent communication skills, and be sensitive to the needs of relevant patient groups.

This post is subject to enhanced DSB disclosure.

About us

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 workforce 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 8,600 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.

Job responsibilities

THIS POST IS OPEN TO SOUTH TYNESIDE & SUNDERLAND NHS FOUNDATION TRUST EMPLOYEES ONLY.

This is a clinical post providing dental care to patients in the Community Dental service within Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland. The post holder will work 4 days per week and be expected to meet the competencies for a Band A dentist. The service provides dental care for adults and children with varied Special Care / Paediatric Additional Needs or disabilities, including medically compromised patients who require treatment in specialised setting. The post will be based in one of the dental clinics but travel between other areas with the service is required. You must be fully registered with the UK General Dental Council and be eligible for the National Dental Performers List without conditions or restrictions. You will be able to demonstrate relevant clinical experience and have evidence in a portfolio of continuing professional development. You must also have excellent communication skills, and be sensitive to the needs of relevant patient groups. This post is subject to enhanced DSB disclosure.

Person Specification

Physical skills

• Must be a car driver with valid driving licence and have access to transport with appropriate business insurance to travel throughout the trust, to meet the needs of the service
• Ability to carry out the full range of dental skills
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods whilst undertaking dental assessment and treatment
• Ability to manoeuvre patients using mechanical aids.

Skills and Knowledge

• Familiar with GDC guidelines
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• An understanding of clinical governance
• Compassionate with the ability to communicate effectively with staff, patients carers and relatives (as appropriate) remaining sensitive and respecting and valuing individual needs
• Professional and patient focused approach, with inspirational skills and acting as a role model to colleagues.
• Evidence of a good standard of literacy/ English language skills
• High standards of written communication with the ability to use email and the internet
• Able to maintain confidentiality and deal with difficult and sensitive circumstances
• Ability to recognize and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner
• Ability to take instruction and direction and work effectively as part of the team
• Ability to record and retrieve paper / electronic records as appropriate
• Be able to work alone on own initiative
• Willingness to use technology to improve standards of care and support to our patients
• An understanding of the aims of the community dental service
• Experience of using an EPR
• Experience in audit/ peer review and Quality Improvement.

Experience

• Experience of working within General Dental Services or Community Dental Services
• Broad Clinical Experience in routine oral health care
• Experience in working with special needs groups
• Experience of General Anaesthesia
• Experience of secondary working in Secondary Care
• Experience of working in inhalational sedation techniques

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Dental Surgery or equivalent
• Full registration with the General Dental Council
• To be on NHS England's National primary Care Performers List with conditions or restrictions
• Foundation training or equivalent
• Postgraduate Diploma in Sedation, Special Care or Paediatric Dentistry

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 to Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£52,532 to £78,798 a year PRO RATA AS PART TIME