Job summary
37.5 hours per week.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Dental Nurse to join the specialist led, multidisciplinary team of Plymouth Community Dental Services, part of Livewell Southwest.
Applications are welcomed from experienced and suitably qualified registered dental nurses.
This post will primarily be involved with the telephone triage of urgent care patients to assess the urgency of treatment. This post will also include clinical work mainly with urgent care and routine paediatrics.
PCDS provides a high level of general and specialised dental services to Plymouth and the surrounding district and are looking for candidates who are caring, passionate and enthusiastic in providing high quality care.
If you have the necessary qualifications, experience and enthusiasm to join our dedicated team, we would like to hear from you.
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 Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline if a high number of applications are submitted. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application at the earliest opportunity.
All Livewell Southwest staff are expected to able and willing to work across a 7 day service.
Job Share(s) Considered
Main duties of the job
The post holder works with Dental Operators, working mainly with patients in pain who require emergency care and routine children. Will frequently undertake the triage of urgent care patients to assess urgency of treatment and book them accordingly this includes outlying clinics.
At times, the post holder may be required to work with dental operators undertaking assessments or non-sedation treatment for special care or oral surgery patients.
On occasion this post holder may be required to provide nurse cover at UHP GA clinics in Freedom Theatres.
The postholder will assist all dental operators in all chair side assisting and clinical procedures, to support and care for patients and manage a surgery and complete all the relevant clinical and administrative tasks.
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- providing care to patients with complex needs & contribute to improving oral health.
Work in a supportive team-join a friendly, multidisciplinary work force that values teamwork,respect & compassion.
Grow your career- benefit from ongoing training & development opportunities
Be part of innovation-contribute to teaching, service development & continuous improvement
Enjoy a healthy work life balance- we offer NHS terms & conditions, flexible working & a role with real purpose in a coastal city with an outstanding quality of life
We offer:
Access to the Scottish Widows pension scheme with generous employer contributions
Provision of free uniform
Start with access to 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays pro rata (which increases after 5 years service)
Access various provision to support your own wellbeing such as employer assistance programme (EAP) & range of online resources
Access to a host of employee benefits, such as a Blue Light Card & salary sacrifice options for home electronics, lease cars & the cycle to work scheme
Details
- Date posted: 16 June 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 4
- Salary: £28,392 to £31,157 a year pa, pro-rata
- Contract: Fixed term
- Duration: 1 years
- Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working
- Reference number: B9832-2026-D32
- Job locations: 200 Mount Gould Road, Mount Gould, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 7PY, United Kingdom, The Dental Access Centre, 1A Baring Street, PLYMOUTH, PL4 8NF, United Kingdom
Job responsibilities
Works with a dental operator providing emergency / routine child patient care including clinical procedures and chair side assisting.
Frequently undertake triage of urgent care patients to assess the urgency of treatment and determine the correct booking and then book appointments including outlying clinics.
Supports the needs of patients, carers and clinicians and be able to deal with them promptly and efficiently.
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 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.
De-contaminates 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
Undertakes specific duties delegated by Dental Operators and Plymouth Community Dental Services Ltd 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
Experience
Essential
- Relevant dental nursing experience.
- Assists with the induction of new staff.
- Trains and supports new and less qualified staff.
Desirable
- Experience of working in the salaried, community or personal dental services within the NHS.
- Experience of working as a member of a team.
- Assists with the induction of new staff.
- Trains and supports new and less qualified staff.
Qualifications
Essential
- NEBDN Qualification/City & Guilds NVQ3 or equivalent in Dental Nursing Registered as a Dental Nurse with the GDC with no restrictions GCSE Grade A-C (or equivalent) English and maths
Desirable
- Any additional Dental Nurse Qualifications
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- Knowledge of the equipment and materials used in dental and surgical procedures
- Knowledge of Health and Safety regulations
- Knowledge of Cross Infection control measures
- Carries out clinical and administrative work without direct supervision Promotes best practice and a high level of patient care
- Competent in recognizing and dealing with medical emergencies Make decisions as to best practice Carries out performance checks and daily maintenance on dental equipment
- Fluent in spoken and written English language
- Good organisational skills
- Good keyboard and ICT skills
- Calm reassuring manner Good interpersonal skills to ensure effective communication with staff at all grades and ability to support patients of all social backgrounds and all outside agencies
- To always act in a professional manner Controls stock levels of dental consumables and materials
- Organizes tasks and activities to make optimum use of clinical time Works and communicates with all members of a multi-disciplinary team
Desirable
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development Up to date Basic life support training Experience of using Dentally dental package
WhatsApp job alerts
Get instant WhatsApp alerts for Band 4 Dental Nurse roles in Plymouth
Create your Job Clerk account first. We'll collect your alert preferences during onboarding and help you turn on WhatsApp notifications for matching healthcare roles.
Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Dental Nurse with Livewell Southwest in Plymouth, South West, England. It is listed as a Band 4 Dental nurse role. The advertised salary is £28,392 to £31,157 a year. The contract type is Fixed-Term. The application deadline is 12 Jul 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (16 Jun 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
For more context, review related Job Clerk pages for the same profession, band or location where they exist, then use the application-support guides to tailor your statement and prepare for interview.