Dental Nurse

Job overview

As a staff member in the integrated teams within the Orthodontic and Maxillo Facial Unit Service, the Dental Nurse will participate in the development of both units as directed by the Outpatient Sisters, ensuring a quality service.

The post holder will take an active part in the delivery of care and always ensure the safety of the patient. They will work alongside the Orthodontist chairside supporting treatments for IOTN 5 for the local population and will carry out Dental Nurse led Oral Health Education clinics for Orthodontic patients.

The Oral and Maxillo Facial Department treat a range of oral and dental conditions and undertakes outpatient procedures under local anaesthesia. It provides a nurse-led impression taking clinic for bite splints.

The post holder will also support Maxillo Facial clinics and function across the range of clinical and administrative activities within the department.

Main duties of the job

Dental Nurse Duties Summary:

• Chairside Support: Assist and chaperone the dentist during procedures, including those involving general anaesthesia and sedation.
• Clinical Preparation: Prepare materials, instruments, and equipment for treatments.
• Radiography: Safely process and store x-ray films in compliance with health and safety standards.
• Professional Standards: Maintain dental nursing registration, complete CPD, and attend relevant courses.
• Inventory Management: Monitor and manage stock of dental materials and consumables.
• Equipment Care: Perform routine maintenance on dental units and tools.
• Infection Control: Sterilise instruments, clean clinical areas, and dispose of waste per guidelines.
• Safety Checks: Conduct daily autoclave tests and monthly emergency kit inspections.
• Ethical Practice: Follow GDC Code of Ethics and respond to child protection concerns per Trust policy.
• Health Promotion: Support dental health initiatives and education.
• Professional Development: Engage in appraisals and personal development planning.
• Clinical Audit: Participate in audits through data collection and action plan implementation.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Assist and chaperone the dentist at the chairside during operative procedures including general anaesthesia and sedation situations.

• Preparation of filling materials, impression materials, instruments, equipment and dressings etc.
• Ensure safe, careful processing of x-ray films and their storage with patient records, in line with health and safety regulations.
• Maintain all requirements related to the profession of dental nursing including CPD, registration and attendance at appropriate courses whether mandatory or elective.
• Stock control of dental materials and other consumables.
• Care and minor maintenance of dental unit, chair, handpieces and other equipment.
• Decontamination / sterilisation of instruments, cleaning of work surfaces in the clinical area and safe disposal of clinical waste in accordance with departmental cross infection control guidelines.
• Daily testing of bench top autoclave. Monthly checks of resuscitation drug kit and emergency oxygen.
• Adhere to the General Dental Councils Code of Ethics for all professions complimentary to dentistry.
• Be aware of and respond accordingly to the Trust policy where child protection issues are suspected.
• Contribute to health promotion around dental issues and support initiatives in health promotion.
• Participate in the annual appraisal process and the development and implementation of activities identified on the personal development plan.
• Contribute to the clinical audit activities within the department through data collection and the implementation of action plans.