Direct Access Dental Therapist

Westmount Dental, a group of established private membership practices committed to providing high-quality dental care across the North East of England, is seeking a dedicated, self-employed Direct Access Dental Therapist.

We are opening a new, bespoke practice in Wynyard in November 2025 and require a therapist to join the team two days per week.

You will be working in a state-of-the-art environment and will provide essential clinical support to our existing clinicians.

You will be fully supported by our experienced dental team and a strong senior management structure.

At Westmount Dental, patient-centered care and exemplary customer service are our top priorities. We are a forward-thinking business, and for the right candidate, there is significant potential for professional growth, development, and private treatment generation within the practice.

Job Summary

To provide the highest quality treatments for patients. To help prevent dental decay by cleaning patients' teeth and providing them with education on how to care effectively for their teeth and gums and the effects of diet on oral health. The dental therapist will be expected to work with minimum supervision, using their own initiative, and carry out duties in such a way as to make a direct and positive contribution to the practice and so aid the dental staff to maximise the use of their time.

Clinical Duties

· Providing dental examinations, radiographs and oral health education

· Record indices, recognise and monitor disease

· Monitor periodontal disease by using current indices

· Monitor plaque scores and provide oral hygiene advice

· Carry out treatment according to the dentists written prescription

· Treat patients according to the practice appointment scheduling system

· Keep the clinical areas and all equipment and instruments clean, tidy and sterile as appropriate according to the practice's health and safety and infection control procedures and manufacturers' instructions

· Use all equipment and machinery in accordance with manufacturers' recommendations and ensure that they are maintained regularly and in good working order

· Accurately complete patient clinical records as directed

· Ensure the welfare of all patients

· Be familiar and comply with all health and safety rules and guidance, including PPE, COSHH, mercury handling, infection control, waste disposal etc

· Develop a home care plan for individual patients to maintain oral health

· Perform non-surgical periodontal therapy including supra and sub gingival scaling, comprehensive root surface debridement which may involve the use of local infiltration analgesia together with the placing of antimicrobial agents when necessary

· Give specific preventative advice including: nutritional guidance, smoking cessation etc

· Replace crowns dislodged during treatment with a temporary cement

· Take impressions

· Administer local anaesthetic.

· Removing plaque and calculus by scaling and polishing teeth;

· Applying prophylactic/antibacterial materials, fissure sealants and topical fluorides to help prevent tooth decay;

· Carrying out screening and monitoring procedures;

· Treating and helping to prevent gum disease;

· Ensuring that sterile conditions are maintained;

· Offering advice and encouragement to patients;

· Working closely with and under the instruction of dentists;

· Using a range of dental instruments;

· Keeping up-to-date with new developments within the profession maintaining patient dental records.

Key Tasks

· Create a good impression of the practice by being professional in manner.

· Be responsible for the aseptic state of the surgery

· Smart appearance

· Maintain patient confidentiality at all times

· Offer clinical advice.

· Maintain their GDC registration.

· Record accurate computer records

· Having a mature, friendly, confident and caring manner is important,

· Possess appropriate personal characteristics such as effective interpersonal, communication, teamwork and listening skills.

Equality and Diversity

It is the responsibility of every member of staff to understand the practice equality and diversity commitments and statutory obligations under current equality legislation including the Disability Discrimination Act 2005, the equality Act 2006 and the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 and to:

• Act in ways that support equality and diversity and recognise the importance of people's rights in accordance with legislation, policies, procedures and good practice.
• Valuing people as individuals and treating every one with dignity and respect, consideration without prejudice, respecting diversity and recognising peoples expressed beliefs, preferences and choices in working with others and delivering appropriate services.
• Recognise and report behaviour that undermines equality under practice policy.
• Be consciously aware of own behaviour and encourage the same behaviour in colleagues.
• Acknowledge others different perspectives and recognise the diverse needs and experiences of everyone they come into contact with.

Infection Control

All staff will adhere to infection control policies and procedures at all times and carry out role specific duties as per roles and responsibilities.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality/data protection regarding all personal information must be maintained at all times (both inside and outside working hours). All staff should ensure that they are familiar with and adhere to all practice privacy, confidentiality and security policies and procedures. Any breach of confidentiality will be taken seriously, and appropriate disciplinary action taken.

Freedom of Information

In accordance with the Freedom of information and other associated legislation, the practice may be required to make public recorded information available on request or do this as part of a publication scheme. Please note that your public role, your name or job role may be contained in a document that is published in accordance with such legislation.

Health & Safety

All employees have a duty to take reasonable care to avoid injury to themselves or to others and to cooperate with the practice in meeting its statutory requirements.

Safeguarding children and Vulnerable Adults

All employees are required to act in such a way that at all times safeguards the health and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults. Familiarisation with the adherence to practice safeguarding policies is an essential requirement of all employees, as is participating in related mandatory/statutory training.

I.T. Skills

All staff are expected to have or to have gained minimum basic level I.T skills to enable them to use the practice I.T systems. All staff should be familiar with relevant I.T systems and security policies and procedures.

Record Management

All Staff are personally responsible for record keeping. A record is anything that contains information in any medium e.g. paper, tapes, computer information, which has been created or gathered as a result of any practice activity. All individuals within the practice are responsible for any records they create or use. Please ensure that all records are retained in accordance with the Record Management policy and are stored in a manner that allows them to be easily located in the event of a freedom of information request.

Information Quality

All staff must ensure that complete and accurate data is collected to the highest standard at all times. Data collection should be supported by adequate documentation and processes should be regularly reviewed. Staff should ensure that processes conform to national standards and are fit for purpose. All staff should comply with the information quality policy.

Personal/Professional Development

The post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the Practice as part of this employment, such training to include:

• Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development
• Taking responsibility for their own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work.

Communication

The post-holder should recognize the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to:

• Communicate effectively with other team members.
• Communicate effectively with patients and carers.
• Recognize people's needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly.

Contribution to the Implementation of Services

The post-holder will:

• Apply Practice policies, standards and guidance.
• Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect their own work.
• Participate in audits where appropriate.

Please note we are not able to accept candidates who require a Visa Sponsorship

Work Remotely

• No

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: £30.00-£35.00 per hour

Benefits:

• On-site parking

Experience:

• Dental Therapist: 2 years (required)

Licence/Certification:

• GDC Registration (required)

Work Location: In person