Job summary
We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Senior Dental Nurse to join our Community Dental Service. This is a key leadership and clinical role, supporting the delivery of highquality, safe and compassionate dental care to adults and children with additional needs across a diverse range of community settings.
This is a handson senior post, combining clinical expertise, staff leadership and service coordination. The post holder will act as a vital link between the Dental Nurse Manager and dental nursing teams across South Tyneside, Sunderland and Gateshead.
The postholder will provide highlevel chairside support to clinicians working with patients who may have complex learning, physical, medical or behavioural needs. This includes supporting:
Conscious sedation clinics (IV and inhalation)
General anaesthetic and theatre-based sessions
Domiciliary dental visits
Radiographic procedures in line with IRMER requirements
Be responsible for ensuring equipment is prepared, maintained and used safely, and for supporting patient monitoring and recovery in accordance with national guidance and Trust policies.
Main duties of the job
As a Senior Dental Nurse, the postholder will provide daytoday leadership and firstline management of the dental nursing workforce across multiple localities. You will play a central role in ensuring services run safely and efficiently by:
Coordinating and overseeing dental nurse rotas and clinic allocation
Supporting recruitment, induction and ongoing training of staff
Leading appraisals and personal development reviews, supporting performance and career development
Providing clear clinical leadership, supervision and mentorship to the dental nursing team
Details
- Date posted: 27 October 2026
- Closing date: 10 November 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 5
- Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year PRO RATA
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Part-time
- Reference number: C9155-CMNM-1026-44
- Job locations: Houghton Health Centre, Church Street, Houghton le Spring, DH4 4DN, United Kingdom
Job description
Job responsibilities
Senior Dental Nurse 30 Hours Per Week
Responsible for work and clinic allocation to ensure the smooth facilitation of all dental clinics across South Tyneside, Gateshead and Sunderland. To provide the day to day first line management to dental nurses and oversee the administration team.
FOR FULL JOB DESCRIPTION SEE ATTACHMENT
Person Specification
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Up to date knowledge in all areas of dental nursing
- Up to date knowledge of prevention & control
- infection procedures
- Able to demonstrate excellent communication and
- interpersonal skills
- Able to demonstrate analytical/judgemental skills
- Flexible approach to day to day working
- Reliable evidence of CPD and strong commitment to
- development of dental nursing
Desirable
- Knowledge of Kodak R4 Computer system
- Knowledge of special needs conditions and experience of assisting with challenging behaviours, children, medically compromised and phobic adults
Experience
Essential
- General dental nursing experience
- Experience of managing and supervising staff
Desirable
- Management/leadership qualification
Qualifications
Essential
- National Certificate for Dental Nurses or NVQ level 3 in dental
- nursing
- National Dental Nursing post qualification NVQ level 4
- Registration with the General Dental Council
Physical skills
Essential
- Car driver and access to own car
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
About us
Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.
One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.
We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.
The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.
Employer details
- Employer name: South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
- Address: Houghton Health Centre, Church Street, Houghton le Spring, DH4 4DN, United Kingdom
- Employer's website: https://www.stsft.nhs.uk