Developmental Dental Nurse

Job summary

30 hours per week. Are you a qualified dental nurse with significant post qualification experience wanting to develop your skills? If so come & be a part of our team, we are the leading provider of specialist NHS Dental Care in Plymouth. An exciting opportunity has arisen for a part-time developmental dental nurse position within Plymouth Community Dental Service (PCDS). This post will give the successful candidate fully funded & supported training to achieve the NEBDN Certificate in Dental Sedation Nursing. PCDS provides specialist lead NHS dental care to patients who are unable to receive care within a general practice setting. Not only are we a place where patients receive exceptional care, but we also pride ourselves in providing a supportive & development focused place to work. We are committed to nurturing our staff at every stage of their career. In acknowledgement of your commitment & achievement of advanced skills, within 24 months of commencement, this post will then convert to a substantive position on the Agenda for Change Band 5 scale.

Main duties of the job

• The post holder will initially mainly work with clinicians treating patients attending for unscheduled dental care and routine children. At times you may be required to support clinicians treating children under anaesthetic at University Hospitals Plymouth (full training given prior).
• The post holder will assist clinicians to undertake a full range of dental treatments whilst supporting and caring for patients. You will need to manage the surgery, completing all the relevant clinical and administrative tasks.
• This is a developmental position which will support the post holder to undertake full dental nurse sedation training at the earliest from March 2026.
• On successful completion of this training within the 24-month timeframe and fulfilling all probation requirements this post will then convert into a Band 5 Special Care Dental Nurse role.
• This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route; please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility.
• Please note that [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline if a high number of applications are submitted.
• All [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.

About us

We offer more than a just a job; the opportunity to make a meaningful impact every day. As one of the largest specialist NHS Dental Providers in the City, we care for patients who may not be able to access Dental treatment elsewhere. This includes children, those with special needs & requiring specialist oral surgery. Our staff: Make a difference, Work in a supportive team, Grow your career, Be part of innovation, Enjoy a healthy work life balance. We offer: Access to the NHS pension, Free uniform, 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays pro rata, Wellbeing support, Employee benefits such as Blue Light Card and salary sacrifice options.

Details

• Date posted: 13 April 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 4
• Salary: £28,392 to £31,157 a year pro rata
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Part-time, Job share, Flexible working
• Reference number: B9832-2026-D-31

Job locations

• 200 Mount Gould Road, Plymouth, PL4 7PY
• Scott Dental Access Centre, Scott Business Park, Beacon Park Rd, Plymouth, PL2 2PQ
• The Dental Access Centre, Baring Street, Plymouth, PL4 8NF

Job responsibilities

• Works with the dental operator providing emergency / routine child patient care including clinical procedures and chair side assisting.
• Supports the needs of patients, carers and clinicians.
• Works with all dental equipment including sharp and fine instruments.
• Provides advice for patients/carers/families about dental procedures including pre and post-operative advice, management of complications and pain control.
• Prepares the clinical environment prior to clinical sessions and closes down at the end of clinical sessions, following the service cross infection and decontamination protocols.
• Checks surgery equipment and reports any faults.
• Records clinical observations.
• Ensures routine and emergency equipment is checked and available i.e. oxygen cylinders and masks, defibrillator.
• Decontaminates equipment, instruments following cross infection procedures.
• Prepares the surgery for the patient using knowledge and experience to select the appropriate equipment, materials and instruments.
• Develops x-rays using digital equipment.
• After relevant training maybe required to take x-rays.
• Required to work at different locations to meet the needs of the Service, when required, including General Anaesthesia sessions at UHP.
• Continue with or commence full dental nurse sedation training.
• Triage of urgent care patients to assess the urgency of treatment and determine the correct booking and then book appointments including outlying clinics.
• Undertakes specific duties delegated by Dental Operators and [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] Managers.
• Follows policies determined by others, including NHS England, the British Dental Association (including the Cross Infection guidelines), the General Dental Council, COSHH, RIDDOR and HASAWA, DOM HTM 01 05.

Person Specification

Knowledge

• Essential: Knowledge of equipment and materials used in dental procedures, Health and Safety regulations, Cross Infection control measures, Carries out work without direct supervision, Promotes best practice, Competent in medical emergencies, Makes decisions, Carries out performance checks.
• Desirable: Evidence of CPD, Up to date Basic life support training.

Qualifications

• Essential: NEBDN Qualification/City & Guilds NVQ3 or equivalent, Registered as a Dental Nurse with the GDC, Commenced or willing to commence NEBDN conscious sedation training, GCSE English and maths A-C.
• Desirable: Additional Dental Nurse qualifications.

Skills

• Essential: Fluent in English, Good organisational skills, Good keyboard and ICT skills, Calm reassuring manner, Good interpersonal skills, Professional manner, Computer literate, Controls stock levels, Organises tasks, Works and communicates in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Desirable: Experience of using Dentally dental package.

Experience

• Essential: Relevant dental nursing experience, Assist with induction of new staff, Trains and supports new staff.
• Desirable: Experience in NHS salaried/community/personal dental services, Experience as a team member.

Employer details

• Employer name: [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]
• Address: 200 Mount Gould Road, Plymouth, PL4 7PY
• Employer's website: https://www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/

Contact

• For questions about the job, contact: Katie Nicholls, Dental Nurse Manager at [contact hidden] or [contact hidden].