Dental Therapist

University of Suffolk Dental CIC

Dental Therapist/Hygienist Job Description and Person Specification Directorate University of Suffolk About the University of Suffolk Dental Community Interest Dental Community Company (CIC) Interest Company (CIC) The University of Suffolk Dental Community Interest Company (CIC) Location James Hehir Building, is an exciting and innovative collaboration between the University of Ipswich Suffolk and the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, Salary Starting from £35,500 seeking to provide high-quality NHS dental services to the population of Suffolk through the brand new, state of the art clinical Contract status Permanent facilities situated on the scenic Ipswich Waterfront. Probation period 6 months Hours of work 37.5 per week Embracing the latest technology and innovation, the facility will offer fully equipped surgeries, intraoral cameras, digital radiography, and Annual leave 25 days per annum, pro access to CBCT diagnostics. entitlement rata plus bank holidays Criminal This post is subject to a As a new provider of NHS dental care in the region the CIC is well- convictions DBS check. (Enhanced placed to offer ordinary dental care delivered with extraordinary care. / Children’s Barred List Our ethos is all about enabling dental care, improving oral health by / Adults Barred List) increasing access to dental services and at the same time providing Responsible to Dental Officer opportunities for those starting or continuing a dental career in the Accountable to Chief Executive Officer East of England.

In line with current good practice and optimum care delivery, an opportunity to deliver patient-centered care with a focus on prevention, stabilisation, and disease management.

Purpose of the job: The post holder will work as a dental team member in a periodontal team providing specialist periodontal care or strengthening the existing dental therapy input. This may also develop into working with other teams providing therapy and hygiene care to a wide range of patients.

To be part of a wider dental team providing dental therapy/hygiene support and work alongside dentists, dental nurses, receptionists in the care of patients. This will include assisting in the full range of dental care (within the scope of practice) provided to patients of the dental service from supporting with routine examinations to specialist treatments.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

◼ To develop ‘team dentistry’ by applying appropriate skills to a wide range of cases. ◼ To provide a wide range of dental treatment, appropriate to a registered dental therapist and hygienist at the request of dentists ◼ The additional duties of a dental therapist will include the following: - obtain a detailed dental history from patients and evaluate their medical history

jobs.dental.cic@uos.ac.uk - carry out a clinical examination within their competence - complete periodontal examination and charting and use indices to screen and monitor periodontal disease - diagnose and treatment plan within their competence - prescribe radiographs - take, process and interpret various film views used in general dental practice - plan the delivery of care for patients - give appropriate patient advice

• provide preventive oral care to patients and liaise with dentists over the treatment of caries, periodontal disease and tooth wear - undertake supragingival and subgingival scaling and root surface debridement using manual and powered instruments - use appropriate anti-microbial therapy to manage plaque related diseases - adjust restored surfaces in relation to periodontal treatment - apply topical treatments and fissure sealants - give patients advice on how to stop smoking - take intra and extra-oral photographs - give infiltration and inferior dental block analgesia - place temporary dressings and re-cement crowns with temporary cement - place rubber dam - take impressions - care of implants and treatment of peri-implant tissues - carry out direct restorations on primary and secondary teeth - carry out pulpotomies on primary teeth - extract primary teeth - place pre-formed crowns on primary teeth - identify anatomical features, recognise abnormalities and interpret common pathology - carry out oral cancer screening - if necessary, refer patients to other healthcare professionals - keep full, accurate and contemporaneous patient records - if working on prescription, vary the detail but not the direction of the prescription according to patient needs. For example the number of surfaces to be restored or the material to be used. ◼ To develop good communication with all members of the dental teams and referring practitioners. Ensure information reaches all team members and relevant professionals in cases where treatment is “shared“. ◼ Produce and maintain accurate records of dental care, using computer systems where used within the service, complete appropriate NHS forms (eg FP17s forms) and assist with the data collection for service monitoring. ◼ To assist in the management and maintenance of stock and equipment to ensure dental therapy services are maintained. ◼ To develop information for patients on relevant subjects. ◼ To assist in organisational duties to ensure the smooth running of the dental services, including: - to ensure that the appointment diary is used efficiently in planning a session’s clinical activity - collect and receipt patients’ charges in accordance with NHS Regulations and ensure safe keeping of monies through banking in accordance with SDC Standing Financial Instructions. ◼ The post is clinic based. The post holder may be asked to undertake duties in other settings when required for holiday or sickness relief or temporary redeployment.

Professionalism, Leadership and Management:

◼ To be responsible for promoting the Organisation’s values and high-performance standards both individually and as a team, in the achievement of our strategic objectives and priorities

jobs.dental.cic@uos.ac.uk ◼ To build a strong external image of clinical excellence for the organisation and create opportunities to enhance the profile of the social enterprise and its services, ensuring high social responsibility. ◼ Act within other professional laws and systems including Health and Safety, Freedom of Information Act and Data Protection Legislation. ◼ Observe all policies and procedures and maintain the Staff Confidentiality Code of Conduct at all times. ◼ Follow and implement operational and clinical policies and procedures to comply with legislation. ◼ Apply safe working practices and take responsibility for own actions. ◼ Support other members of the dental and wider healthcare team in the interest of patients. ◼ Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning through education, training, and practice against agreed occupational standards. ◼ Apply an evidence-based approach to learning, practice and decision making and utilise critical thinking and problem-solving skills. ◼ Active participation in clinical audit programmes, peer review and clinical governance initiatives. ◼ Provide training for dental nurses / staff as required by the service. ◼ Take responsibility for personal development planning and reflective practice. ◼ Maintain professional behaviour and appearance, including being punctual and polite. ◼ Effectively manage own time and resources.

The duties of this post may vary from time to time as a result of new legislation, changes in technology or policy changes. In this case, appropriate training may be given to the post holder to undertake this new varied work.

jobs.dental.cic@uos.ac.uk Person Specification — Selection Criteria

How evidenced/assessed: A = Application Form I = Interview T = Test

How Evidenced Criteria Essential Desirable / Assessed

• Diploma in Dental Therapy A
• Certificate of Proficiency in Dental Education and Hygiene Qualifications
• Current full General Dental Council registration.

• Trained to undertake additional
• Knowledge of General Dental AI therapy duties Services
• Knowledge of current and future
• Experience of dental therapy/hygiene practice in changes within the dental profession different settings Knowledge and
• Experience of full remit of work as per
• Post qualification experience Experience GDC guidelines
• Experience of treating patients with special needs
• Experience of dealing with cash transactions
• Experience of ordering dental supplies

• Good communication skills, including
• Competency at treating AI clear and accurate written and oral patients with inhalation skills sedation
• Good patient management skills
• Modern skills of dental therapy and hygiene
• Willingness to learn new skills
• Intermediate computer skills
• Take responsibility for making appropriate safeguarding referrals via Skills/Other the Safeguarding Lead and provide guidance for others to do so
• Demonstrate understanding and commitment to equal opportunities, equity, and the promotion of cultural competency
• Full driving licence - with a car available

• Commitment to a high standard of patient care Attitude
• Ability to work as a member of a team
• Patient, calm and able to work under pressure

jobs.dental.cic@uos.ac.uk GENERAL TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Professional Registration If professional registration applies, the post holder should work in accordance with their professional body’s Code of Conduct. Evidence of continuous registration is a requirement of employment with University of Suffolk Dental CIC.

Probationary Period Dental CIC operates a 6 month probationary period in accordance with its policy and procedure on Probation Periods.

Personal Development The post holder will be expected to undertake ongoing personal and professional development commensurate with the responsibilities of the post. It is specifically expected that the post holder will avail him/herself of any opportunities of mentorship and development offered.

Role Development The duties and responsibilities contained within this job description are indicative but not exhaustive. The post holder may be required to undertake other work consistent with their grade. As Dental CIC develops the requirements of the post may change. The post holder will be fully involved and consulted as such changes occur.

Legal and statutory requirements The post holder must be aware of and adhere to Dental CIC policies and procedures that are relevant to their post

Confidentiality and the Data Protection Act 1998 – the post holder will be expected to maintain complete confidentiality as a condition of employment. Information relating to patients, other staff or which is acquired for the purposes of employment may only be disclosed with the express permission of the appropriate manager.

All staff must comply with the Equality Act 2010 and must not discriminate on the grounds of age, disability, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, gender, religion, beliefs, sexual orientation, domestic circumstances, social and employment status, gender reassignment, political affiliation or trade union membership or any other grounds.

Safeguarding Vulnerable Children and Adults and Promoting their Welfare All staff are expected to;

• Adhere to Dental CIC and Local Safeguarding Children Board policies/procedures and professional codes in relation to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
• Undertake the appropriate level of mandatory training in this area.
• Report any concerns to the appropriate authority.

Care Quality Commission (CQC) All staff of Dental CIC are required to participate in the collection of evidence to support the organisation’s CQC registration requirements.

Infection Control All staff have duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and Management of Health and Safety Regulations 1999, which have a bearing on the prevention and control of infection, in particular:

While at work, every Dental CIC staff must take care for the health and safety of themselves and of other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions.

jobs.dental.cic@uos.ac.uk All staff must comply with infection control policies and protocols and recognise their responsibility to their patients and colleagues in maintaining high standards of hygiene practice.

Staff have a duty not to intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided for in the interests of health, safety and welfare.

Staff are required to use correctly all work items provided by Dental CIC, such as machinery, equipment, dangerous substances and safety devices etc in accordance with the training and instructions they receive to enable them to use the work items safely.

Staff are required to bring to the attention of Dental CIC managers, without delay, any work situation which might present a serious and imminent danger to themselves or others. Staff should notify Dental CIC managers of any shortcomings in health and safety arrangements, even when no immediate danger exists, so that Dental CIC can take what remedial action is necessary.

Patient and Public Involvement As part of its ongoing commitment to improving patient experience and involving local community members in service development, all staff working for Dental CIC are expected to be proactive in identifying community priorities and issues, in line with the Dental CIC strategy for patient and public involvement.

Records Management Every staff is expected to keep accurate and well maintained records that meet the requirements of the Dental CIC records management strategy and in accordance with any relevant legislation, such as the Freedom of Information and Data Protection Acts.

jobs.dental.cic@uos.ac.uk