Job requirements
Requirements from the employer’s person specification. These describe the role, not your personal match.
Essential
6 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Skills
Excellent communication skills; calm, courteous and professional in a fast-paced environment.
- Skills
Excellent organisational skills and reliable, flexible, motivated and a strong team player.
- Experience
Substantial chairside experience (mixed procedures) with confident four-handed support.
- Experience
Comfortable using dental software; accurate with notes and day-list management.
- Qualifications
National Certificate for Dental Nurses or NVQ in Oral Health Care Dental Nursing Award Level 3.
- Qualifications
GDC registration with professional indemnity and up-to-date immunisations.
Desirable
2 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Experience
Supervisory experience gained recently in a dental environment.
- Qualifications
Certificate for the examination in the care of the service user by the awarding body, the National Examination Board for Dental Nurses (NEBDN) OR Certificate in Dental Radiography OR NEBDN Oral Health Certificate in Oral Health Education (or equivalent) OR Certificate in Extended duties Dental Nursing OR willing to work towards at least one of the above qualifications.
Job summary
The University of Suffolk Dental CIC in Ipswich is looking for an experienced Senior Dental Nurse to join our team on a full or part-time basis.
Advance your career and expand your skills in a supportive and progressive environment. Come and join our team in our state-of-the-art dental facility and truly make a difference to the local people.
Main duties of the job
Supporting the wider dental team, this key role will provide senior dental nurse support and work alongside dentists, dental therapists/hygienists, receptionists in the care of service users.
Duties will include:
- Welcoming and supporting patients sensitively; explaining procedures clearly, including where there are communication needs.
- Maintaining surgery readiness: set up/close down, preparing materials and instruments, and ensure timely turnaround of lab work.
- Accurate clinical records: completing baseline/periodontal charting and treatment entries to the clinicians instruction.
- Diary efficiency: monitoring day lists, back-filling cancellations appropriately, and liaising with reception to keep clinics running to time.
- Equipment care & IPC: maintaining handpieces/aspirators and uphold HTM 01-05 standards to ensure an aseptic environment.
- Escalating concerns promptly in line with local and national protocols.
- Supervising the dental nurse team and liaising and communicating effectively with clinicians, senior leaders and colleagues to keep the service running smoothly.
About us
We are an innovative Dental Social Enterprise and a unique partnership between the University of Suffolk and Suffolk and North-East Essex Integrated Care Board that really wants to make a different to people through the delivery of accessible NHS dental care. We are a purpose-led and values driven organisation. Our mission is clear, we are here to deliver ordinary dental care with extraordinary care. We care about the wellbeing of our staff and offer a flexible suite of benefits.
These include:
- Competitive salary
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Workplace pension
- Continuous professional development and training opportunities
- Uniform
- Flu vaccinations
- State-of-the-art dental facilities
- Fully funded DBS check
Details
- Date posted: 04 September 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 5
- Salary: Depending on experience
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Flexible working
- Reference number: P0024-26-0014
- Job locations: Floor 2, James Hehir Building, University Avenue, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 0FS, United Kingdom
Job responsibilities
The job description for Senior Dental Nurse can be found in the 'Supporting Information' section.
We recommend that you apply as soon as possible, even if the closing date is in the future.
Applications received may be reviewed before the closing date and should we receive a high number of applications for this post, or high-quality applications which demonstrate suitability, we reserve the right to close the vacancy early.
We may hold interviews as and when applications are received, and we reserve the right to offer to a candidate prior to the closing date.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Senior Dental Nurse with University of Suffolk Dental CIC in Ipswich, United Kingdom. It is listed as a Band 5 Dental nurse role. The advertised salary is Negotiable. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 20 Sep 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 (04 Sep 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHSjob search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
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