Dental Nurse

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Dental Nurse to join our dynamic Community Dental team at Whittington Hospital NHS Trust. As a Dental Nurse - Community Care Specialist, you will play a vital role in providing high-quality care to our patients, working across Hounslow, Ealing, and Uxbridge, and possibly neighboring boroughs.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare surgeries for all dental procedures, ensuring a hygienic working environment.
• Assist clinicians in the provision of all dental treatment, including visits to patients' homes, residential care centers, and hospitals.
• Prepare, care, maintain, and sterilize dental instruments and equipment, adhering to the infection-control policy (HTM 01 05).
• Assist clinicians with preparation, monitoring, and patient care during IV & IS sedation and general anesthesia as required.
• Provide instruction to patients in oral hygiene under the direction of the clinician.
• Communicate effectively and sensitively with patients, families, and carers, taking into account differences in language, ability, and culture.
• Develop dental radiographs and maintain the dental x-ray processor. If qualified, take dental radiographs and assist in quality assurance under the clinician's direction.
• Assist with the fluoride varnish program, ensuring a hygienic working environment.
• Ensure safe handling and disposal of sharps, drugs, special, and clinical waste in accordance with Trust policy.
• Provide nursing cover when required in health centers other than the base clinic.

Person Specification

• NEBDN and/or an appropriate professional qualification or equivalent.
• Registered with the General Dental Council as a Dental Care Professional.
• Desirable: DNETC certificate or equivalent in fluoride varnish application, NEBDN certificate in conscious sedation, and NEBDN certificate in Dental Radiography.

Requirements

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (verbal and written).
• Competent in basic MS Office and IT applications.
• Possesses initiative, can be flexible.
• Ability to participate in and contribute to the dental team.
• Ability to deal with patients' needs in a caring and sensitive manner.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Efficient and accurate in record keeping.
• Ability to lead, including supervision and management of staff.
• Good organizational skills.

About Us

Whittington Health serves a richly diverse population and works hard to ensure that all our services are fair and equally accessible to everyone. We aim to employ a workforce that is as representative as possible of this population, so we are open to the value of differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief.