Dental Officer

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and motivated Dentist to join our team. The post holder will deliver comprehensive dental care and advice to adult and paediatric patients accessing the Specialist Dental Service.
Experience working in Special Care Dentistry would be an advantage, however applicants with an interest in this area will be considered.
All applicants must be GDC registered and have an English NHS performer number.
Working days/hours of work would be 37.5 hours across the week - days are negotiable
**Interview Date**: TBC
This role will involve delivery of clinical dental care for patients who are unable to access General Dental Services for a variety of reasons.
The Special Care arm of our service delivers care for patients who have a significant medical condition (physical or mental) or a disability which:
Prevents the communication of pain and /or giving consent for treatment +/OR
Prevents acceptance of dental care or treatment to achieve dental health +/OR
Prevents access to the dental surgery and transfer into the dental chair for treatment +/OR
Presents a high risk of bleeding, infection, impaired healing, adverse reaction or a medical emergency following the delivery of dental care
The Paediatric arm of the service also provides dental care for patients under the age of 16 requiring treatment under conscious sedation or general anaesthetic due to anxiety or high caries rate.
The service delivers care across 3 towns; Northampton, Wellingborough and Corby. We also offer domiciliary care across Northamptonshire with services supported by Senior Dental Nurses, Qualified Dental Nurses and Extended Duties Dental Nurses, Oral Health Promotion Specialist, Senior Leadership, Service PA's and countywide administrative team.
NHFT is an integrated primary care and mental health Trust, providing physical, mental health and specialty services in both hospital settings and out in the community. Because we put the person at the centre of all we do, we focus on delivering care that is as easy to access as possible. This means many of our services can be provided at home, work or in schools.
NHFT promotes a culture of learning to improve the care and safety of our patients and staff, which focuses on people who enable our Trust to be ‘outstanding’ by supporting opportunity, innovation, development and growth.
Our Dental Officers provide a wide range of primary dental care for patients including children, people with disabilities, older people and those referred to the Service. This may be from healthcare professionals, education, self-referral or from families and patient support networks.
You need to formulate and provide person centred and comprehensive dental care in primary care and under NHS rules and regulations. Skilled communication with a range of patients and their families or carers will be required, as this role is primarily working with patients who have additional needs, some of whom will have communication barriers.
You will be able to explain risks, benefits and alternatives of clinical care and treatment modalities to patients and their families or carers.
Communication of sometimes complex clinical information to patients of the service, in difficult circumstances and delivering difficult news may be required.
Excellent communication with clinical peers and leaders in a professional manner is essential to inspire confidence, motivation, and teamwork, and in the best interests of patients.
Communicating with other health and social care professionals on a range of issues relating to oral health is required.
Ability to provide conscious sedation would be of benefit. To be second dentist for treatment in hospital under general anaesthesia for patients who cannot have their treatment provided in the clinic would be ideal.
To provide dental care in the domiciliary setting for patients who are housebound, supported by qualified nursing support and dedicated domiciliary equipment. Ability to move between clinics and domiciliary settings according to Service and patient needs would therefore be a great benefit.
The postholder will be responsible for maintaining the clinical and or corporate records that fall within the remit of this role to the standards in the Trust records management policies, and data quality processes and standards. Postholders with elevated access to IT systems are held accountable to the highest standards of use.
To adhere to department and professional standards/protocols without direct supervision. Comment on department policies and propose changes to departmental working practices or procedures as necessary. Access communication from the Trust and from the department. Help maintain health and safety and security within departments, reporting risks and taking appropriate action as required.
To supervise and support dental care professionals, engage in clinical supervision and respond to day-to-day queries and concerns. To assist with and participate in training an