Dental Nurse

Purpose of the job

Provide clinical support to dentists, hygienists and patients, assist with reception or any clerical duties as required and perform such other tasks as reasonably requested by the practice owner or practice manager.

Employment duties

• Perform high quality dental nursing whilst assisting each dentist, hygienist or therapist in all procedures in a safe and effective manner in accordance with the 'Code of Ethics' of the British Association of Dental Nurses, the GDC's 'Scope of Practice'
• Follow practice policies and procedures
• Maintain professional indemnity and registration with the GDC
• Undertake CPD in line with the GDC guidelines
• Establish, promote and maintain productive working relationships with all members of the dental team
• Liaise with the practice manager on all matters concerning administration, pay and service conditions
• Assist with the supervision of trainee dental nurses in the practice
• Assist with reception duties and perform other clerical duties if required
• Take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by your work

Key tasks

• Prepare and maintain the clinical environment, including the equipment
• Carry out infection prevention and control procedures to prevent physical, chemical and microbiological contamination in the surgery or laboratory
• Record dental charting and oral tissue assessment carried out by other registrants
• Keep full, accurate and contemporaneous patient records and ensure that they are stored securely
• Prepare equipment materials and patients for dental radiography
• Process dental radiographs
• Monitor, support and reassure patients
• Give appropriate patient advice
• Support the patient and your colleagues if there is an emergency
• Make appropriate referrals to other health professionals
• Perform the following additional procedures following appropriate training:
• Oral health education and oral health promotion
• Assist in the treatment of patients who are under conscious sedation
• Assist in treatment of patients with special needs
• Assist in the treatment of orthodontic patients
• Carry out intra and extra – oral photography
• Pour, cast and trim study models
• Carry out shade taking
• Perform the following additional procedures on prescription from or under the direction of, another registrant:
• Take radiographs
• Place rubber dam
• Measure and record plaque indices
• Remove sutures after the wound has been checked by a dentist
• Construct occlusal registration rims and special trays
• Repair the acrylic component of removable appliances
• Apply topical anaesthetic to the prescription of a dentist
• Segregate waste in accordance with the practice procedures and ensure its safe disposal
• Liaise with reception over appointments for each patient
• Escort patients from the waiting room to the surgery, confirm the patient's medical history is up to date and communicate to the dentist (hygienist/therapist) any change in medical history or problems that he/she has noted
• Monitor and maintain stock within the practice as necessary, informing the practice manager and liaising with the dentists {hygienists/therapists) over orders or any shortages of materials
• Follow all professional ethical guidelines including all rules on confidentiality
• Maintain and promote patient confidentiality in relation to patient medical history, details of treatment, financial transactions or any conversation overheard
• Complete laboratory request forms and keep records of all items sent, received and fitted
• Check that all necessary laboratory work is returned and ready for each session
• Assist in all clerical and administrative duties as required by the principal
• Report equipment failures or breakages to the practice manager
• Attend practice annual training for medical emergencies and CPR
• Perform other tasks in accordance with additional skills you have developed within the GDC 'Scope of Practice'
• Identify your training and development needs and undertake appropriate training to maintain and increase competence in nursing skills by following an agreed CPD programme to comply with the GDC requirements
• Provide feedback on the performance of trainee dental nurses
• Bring to the attention of the principal or practice manager any concerns about aspects of the practice, its performance or the performance of others in the practice
• Attend all practice meetings as requested

Full or Part-time hours available for qualified dental nurse.

Opportunities to complete Radiography and Sedation training as part of the job role.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: From £13.00 per hour

Work Location: In person