Job overview
CNWL Buckinghamshire Priority Dental Service (CDS) is looking for a Specialist in Special Care or Paediatric Dentistry to become the next Dental Clinical Director.
The Dental Clinical Director will be an experienced dentist on the specialist register for Special Care Dentistry or Paediatric Dentistry. They will combine their role as a clinician with the clinical director role incorporating strategic, operational, advisory and clinical responsibilities. They will have the leadership skills to manage the strategic provision of oral and dental healthcare for the Trust, and to champion the improvement of health inequalities of the population.
Interviews will be held week commencing 27-Jun-2026
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be the Clinical Lead for Buckinghamshire Priority Dental Service (BPDS) and will ensure a comprehensive range of oral health care services is provided for priority groups that may include people with disabilities, severe anxiety or phobias. Services include sedation and general anaesthesia, domiciliary care, provision of oral health care to those in local secure settings, screening and epidemiology and oral health promotion.
The Clinical Dental Director is a combined service and clinical director role incorporating strategic, operational, advisory and clinical responsibilities. They will have the leadership skills to manage the strategic provision of oral and dental healthcare for the Trust, and to champion the improvement of health inequalities of the population.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
(see JD & PS for a detailed Job Description)
The post holder will contribute to directorate, corporate and wider system strategy and planning in conjunction with other Clinical and Service Directors in the Trust. They will also provide professional and clinical advice to Boards and other relevant committees.
The Clinical Dental Director will be responsible for managing all the clinical dental performers in CNWL BPDS while they are working in both primary and secondary care.
The post holder will contribute to and influence the development of clinical pathways in conjunction with local Managed Clinical Networks, Local Dental Networks, ICB POD leads and other relevant stakeholders.
The Clinical Dental Director will be responsible for the management of contracts and service level agreements, including those with secondary care providers e.g. general anaesthetics and medical physics.
The Clinical Dental Director will maintain an effective senior clinical role and responsibility appropriate to the post. They will be required to provide clinical sessions for special care and paediatric patients as appropriate.
Provide professional leadership of BPDS across Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire. This will involve working with colleagues from other areas, secondary care, Local Dental Committee, Consultant in Dental Public Health.
Responsible for devising and leading a strategy to develop integrated primary care dental services
Provide professional dental advice to the complaints and PALs teams regarding the service
Liaise with others relevant groups, including other healthcare colleagues, social, education and voluntary groups in order to promote an understanding of the work of BPDS and improve the delivery of dental care to the groups eligible to be seen by BPDS
Work effectively within the host organisation (CNWL) to ensure organisational targets are achieved
Person specification
Experience
Essential
- NHS management experience including role in the primary care setting
- Experience of working in salaried and specialised services
- Experience of working in a variety of dental settings
- Experience of managing budgets & procurement
- Experience of managing and developing personnel including appraisal, performance and recruitment
- Record of success in the planning and management of significant change and innovation with demonstrable results
- Experience of conflict resolution & handling complaints
- Experience of working with clinicians and healthcare workers at a strategic level
- Experience of working with other agencies/groups/voluntary organisations
Desirable
- Experience of producing and analysing financial activity reports
Qualifications
Essential
- BDS or equivalent professional dental qualification
- Full registration with the GDC
- Additional registrable dental postgraduate qualification
- Evidence of commitment to continued professional and personal development
- Hold NHS Performer Number
Desirable
- On relevant GDC Specialist List e.g. Special Care Dentistry
- Management qualification
Disposition/ other
Essential
- Have NHS Performer number
- Commitment to high ethical standards
- Enthusiastic, resilient and able to work under pressure
- Hold a full UK driving licence and have use of a car
- Able to work as part of a team
- Professional conduct and appearance
- Willing to work flexible hours
Skills, knowledge, abilities
Essential
- Knowledge of wider dental agenda
- Knowledge of clinical governance agenda
- Excellent communication skills (including presentation and report writing)
- Political awareness
- Good IT skills and information management
- Ability to work in a team and build and sustain partnerships
- Ability to provide leadership and innovation
- Ability to problem solve and achieve sustainable solutions
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Clinical Dental Director, Buckinghamshire Priority Dental Service with Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust in London, London, England. It is listed as a Manager and corporate role. The advertised salary is £101,434 - £116,573 per annum, pro rata (plus R&R bonus). The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 12 Jul 2026.
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