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Job overview
Due to the retirement of a long-standing member of staff, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a forward-thinking Senior Dental Technician to work with our Orthodontic/OMF Laboratory team at Bristol Dental Hospital.
The post holder will be responsible for the design, planning and construction of an extensive range of highly complex, custom-made functional, fixed and removeable dental/oro-facial appliances. The post holder will be expected to take on a leading role in the expansion of digital workflows, develop new skills in line with experience, new practices, qualifications and will also have a commitment to continuing professional development.
Applications are invited from Dental Technicians who are fully registered with the General Dental Council and hold a recognised academic qualification in dental technology. We encourage applications from dental technicians whether your experience and background is based in a commercial dental laboratory or NHS hospital setting.
This is an exciting time to join the team at Bristol Dental Hospital, as we embark on a journey of modernisation, which has seen recent investment in digital orthognathic planning software, CNC milling and 3D printing technology.
Main duties of the job
- To construct an extensive range of highly complex, specialised custom-made dental/oro-facial appliances.
- To utilise CAD/CAM technology to design and manufacture highly complex fixed and removeable appliances
- Collaborate directly with clinicians and patients to provide technical advice, discuss case requirements and develop innovative appliances and custom solutions to ensure effective service delivery.
- Provide cover and assist the Chief Dental Technician (Laboratory Manager) in all areas that may be required, including prioritisation and organisation of workload.
- To be responsible for the supervision of any Technicians that may be recruited and any students that may be allocated to the department.
- To assist with rostering, off duty periods and holiday cover to ensure smooth running of the Laboratory.
- Participate in the development and implementation of laboratory policies.
- Carry out basic maintenance of laboratory equipment.
- Order stock on the Trust system.
- Maintain accurate laboratory records for audit purposes and compliance with UK Medical Devices Regulation.
- Assist with research projects, surveys & audits of the service as required.
- Regularly required to maintain prolonged concentration throughout the fabrication of appliances and models.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and person specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.
Person specification
Aptitudes
Essential
- Willingness to work within a team.
- Self-motivated.
- Good interpersonal skills.
- To have excellent communication skills both orally and written.
- Able to develop or suggest improvements within the team.
- Willingness to learn and develop new skills / appliance types and designs and to follow suitable pathways of continuous professional development.
- Values and respects others, treats everyone as an individual, non-judgemental.
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Ability to analyse complex treatment plans, interpret detailed laboratory prescriptions and devise appropriate solutions, including the design and fabrication of new dental appliances.
- Prolonged computer use requiring keyboard skills for word processing.
- Ability to communicate effectively with clinicians to manage non-routine aspects of appliance fabrication.
- Ability to deal with distressing or emotional circumstances when occasionally dealing with patients with oro-facial abnormalities or terminal illness
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Experience in the design and production of highly complex, specialised custom-made dental/oro-facial appliances
- A broad theoretical and practical knowledge of a range of specialised technical procedures within appropriate discipline
- Thorough knowledge of the application of computer aided design & computer aided manufacture (CAD/CAM) techniques relevant to associated dental technology.
- Understanding the varied nature of the materials, various acrylics, silicone materials and metals and how they work together.
- Experience of training/assisting junior staff/students.
- Knowledge and awareness of UK Medical Devices Regulation.
Desirable
- Experience of presenting cases to other dental professionals
- Experience in a hospital environment, treating a range of challenging cases to a very high standard
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- BSc (Hons)/BTEC Diploma/HNC in Dental Technology or equivalent.
- Post-graduate qualification or equivalent experience in relevant dental specialty e.g. fixed prosthodontics, maxillofacial technology
- Registration with the General Dental Council as Dental Technician.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Senior Dental Technician (Orthodontics) with University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust in Bristol, South West, England. It is listed as a Band 6 Dentist role. The advertised salary is £39,959 - £48,117 per annum, pro rata for part time roles. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 30 Jul 2026.
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