Band C Dental Officer in Special Care Dentistry

Job overview

An opportunity has arisen within the Dental Division to develop a specialist post within Community Dental Services. The two main job roles are to provide specialist dental care for patients accepted under the Special Care Dentistry pathway, and to undertake leadership and management roles delegated by the Head of Service. The post holder will be fulfilling clinical commitments whilst also providing Clinical Leadership. They will be an experienced clinician, working independently to providing specialist services to local population and clinical supervision. They will be expected to attend service led committee meetings and participate in service development improvement plans as determined via team job planning.

Main duties of the job

Clinical responsibilities will include provision of specialist level dental care for adults referred to the SCD service with additional needs due to disability, medical or mental health problems.

Management responsibilities will include line management and appraisal of several dental officer(s) and delegated leadership roles as above.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• The Specialist will undertake clinical and leadership duties as part of the clinical team necessary for the proper fulfilment of the current service contract(s) into which the Service has entered with commissioners. Clinical sessions will involve the provision of specialist level dental care for adults as defined by the Commissioning Guide in SCD due to severe disability, medical or mental health problems. This includes provision of treatment under inhalation and intravenous sedation and general anaesthesia. It also includes any related domiciliary care under NHS regulations. Clinical sessions will take place in Community Clinics across Birmingham and the Black Country, secure mental health units, the Dental Hospital and other hospitals. The Specialist will plan and manage care where there are complex disability, medical, mental health or behavioural issues liaising closely as necessary with senior clinical colleagues and medical, mental health and other professionals and/or carers. The Specialist will provide supervision and training of DCTs and StRs as one of the clinical trainer team. They will also train and supervise dentists to enable them to attain their portfolio of competence for provision of tier 2 care and/or to provide conscious sedation independently in accordance with BCHC guidelines.  There may be opportunities to participate on outreach supervision in teaching of undergraduate dental students. The Specialist will actively contribute to the work of the specialist team in developing the service, providing specialist advice for other clinicians and covering for absent colleagues. The Specialist will actively contribute to the meetings and work of the Managed Clinical Network in SCD to achieve effective joint working with other SCD providers and GDPs. The Specialist will supervise dental therapists and/or dental hygienists in accordance with the Ancillary Dental Workers Regulations (1968) and subsequent amendments. They will also supervise and direct the work of any dental nurses providing chairside and/or clerical assistance. The Specialist will actively participate in the corporate functioning of the clinical service including the processes of:
• service and business planning
• resource management including workforce development;
• compliance with agreed service specifications or contracts;
• line management of dental and dental therapy staff including appraisal and performance monitoring. The Specialist will maintain oversight of the day-to-day organisation and management of the dental premises at which they work, with particular reference to:
• the management of the clinics to ensure that workload is scheduled and completed on time;
• the maintenance of proper standards appropriate to a clinical area, including control of infection procedures;
• the efficient and effective use of resources and equipment including routine checks and maintenance
• the operation of office systems related to anxious adults including waiting lists, the booking of appointments and the management of DNAs
• the maintenance of confidentiality of personal health data, including patient records, in accordance with established procedures; The Specialist will participate in such continuing education or training as may be considered necessary for personal development or organisational needs.

The Specialist will undertake other duties appropriate to the grade, and including special projects, as determined by the Clinical Lead or Head of Service in SCD.

• To undertake other duties commensurate with this grade of post in agreement with the relevant line manager. To minimise the Trust’s environmental impact wherever possible, including recycling, switching off lights, computers, monitors and equipment when not in use. Helping to reduce paper waste by minimising printing/copying and reducing water usage, reporting faults and heating/cooling concerns promptly and minimising travel. Where the role includes the ordering and use of supplies or equipment the post holder will consider the environmental impact of purchases.