Dental Nurse

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a qualified dental nurse to join our team within The Paediatric Dental Department at Chelsea & Westminster Foundation Trust.

We are seeking an enthusiastic, motivated individual, who has the ability to work within a team and also on one's own initiative. Working solely with children and special needs so children interest and experience in this specialty would be desirable. GDC registration as a DCP is an essential requirement for this post.

The post will involve assisting in New patient consultations, General Anaesthetic dental treatment, Orthodontics and treatment clinics. Experience in all or some of these would be desirable but again not essential.

Main duties of the job

The Dental Nurse role at Chelsea and Westminster involves working as part of the Paediatric multidisciplinary team to deliver a high standard of dental care to our patients, many of whom have complex needs. They will ensure the effective day to day running of the department and will assist the clinicians in all aspects of patient care including General Anaesthesia.

Job responsibilities

• Assist the Consultants/clinicians and their team with a full range of dental treatment, oral surgery procedures and orthodontic treatments.
• Maintain a clean, hygienic and safe environment within the department.
• Assist clinicians with dental treatment under inhalation sedation.
• Assist clinicians with dental treatment under general anaesthesia.
• Ensure a child friendly and child appropriate environment is maintained within the department.
• Maintain adequate stock levels at all times.
• Assist with taking intra-oral radiographs, complying with national guidelines (GDC) to ensure safe practice and completing necessary evaluation and documentation.
• Develop radiographs and ensure developer is operational at all times.
• Train and supervise junior / agency dental nurses.
• Maintain all equipment in compliance with the infection control policy.
• Maintain a clean, hygienic clinical environment. This involves daily cleaning and compliance with the trusts infection control policy.
• Maintain a fully prepared surgery at all times stocked, clean and functional.
• Operate in a sterile environment where appropriate.
• Ensure theatres trolleys are adequately stocked at all times.
• Ensure clinical equipment is operational at all times.
• Understand how the clinical equipment works and be able to repair basic faults.
• Comply with all relevant policies, procedures and training on infection prevention and control.
• Take radiographs and impressions if completed a verifiable course.
• Adhere with dental nursing scope of practice that is defined by the GDC professional body.
• Be familiar with and up-to-date with current safeguarding and child protection policies.
• Ensure own education is up to date and current with best practice.
• Ensure continuing professional development in compliance with General Dental.
• Attend mandatory training and updates provided by the trust.
• Attend relevant courses.
• Assist with research or audit within the department.
• Educate patients with dietary advice, on oral health and appliance care.
• Provide health promotion and patient education.
• Filing radiographs and clinical photographs.
• Checking treatment plans prior to clinics and general anaesthetic lists.
• Organising packing / dispatch of lab work and pathology samples.
• Stock control, storage and ordering.
• Organising and maintaining the orthodontic study model box system.
• Preparing take home packs for patients.
• Recording mail documenting patient details and monitoring referral types.
• Completing the necessary paperwork for placing patients on the waiting list.
• Organise the laundry for the department.

Benefits

The salary for this post is £28,392 to £31,157 a year.

Person Specification

Education & Qualifications

• Registered, Qualified Dental Nurse

Experience

• Experience in paediatric dental nursing
• Evidence of continuous professional development.
• Experience of working with children with special needs.
• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team
• Experience of working within a multi-cultural and diverse community
• Experience in orthodontic nursing

Skills and knowledge

• In-depth knowledge infection control procedures
• Safe knowledge of dental procedures
• In depth knowledge of oral health and dietary advice
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Effective interpersonal skills
• Good IT Knowledge and skills.