Senior Dental Nurse – Oral Health Improvement Lead | Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Posting date:	23 April 2026
Salary:	Not specified
Additional salary information:	£32,073 - £39,043 per annum, pro rata
Hours:	Part time
Closing date:	23 May 2026
Location:	Thatcham, RG18 3AS
Company:	Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Job type:	Contract
Job reference:	7962045/371-CHS1222

Summary

The Community Dental Service is seeking a motivated and compassionate Senior Dental Nurse (Band 5) to join our team on a fixed term, part‑time basis. The Oral Health Improvement Lead will combine clinical responsibilities with a strategic leadership role in oral health prevention. In addition to carrying out routine clinical duties, the post holder will dedicate one day per week to developing, implementing, and maintaining a comprehensive Oral Health Prevention Strategy for Berkshire Community Dental Service, working closely with the Senior Dental Team.


The Oral HealthImprovement Lead will act as a key liaison, providing specialist advice and guidance to colleagues across Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BHFT), as well as to external health and social care professionals as required.


Appropriate additional training will be provided where requiredto support the post holder in fulfilling the role effectively.


This role ispart‑time, 30 hours per week, worked over 4 days, 08:30 – 17:00, and is ideal for a Dental Nurse who enjoys working as part of a multidisciplinary team in a community setting. You will be professionally accountable to the Head of Service and line‑managed by the Community Dental Service Manager / Operations Manager. Opportunities for development and training are actively supported within the service

• To work with the Senior Dental Team in developing this strategy.

• To provide staff training and provision of oral health leaflets appropriate to the patient group.

• To provide comprehensive support to clinicians, throughout a wide range ofdifferent types of clinical treatments.

• To provide clinical support as described above within a wide range of settings - including fixed sites and clinics, mobile dental clinics, and other environments which include patients’ homes, residential care and nursing homes, prisons,hospices and hospitals.

• To provide clinical support to sedation clinics -additional training will be provided if necessary

• To provide clinical support at general anaesthetic sessions -additional training will be provided if necessary.

• To provide support to dental trainees and students working within the service.

• To support all patients as they undergo dental treatment responding to individual patient’s needs, understanding how they may be affected by dental experiences.www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk

• To set up and prepare the dental surgery,theatre or mobile dental unit for use at the beginning of the session and ensure that it is left as defined by the control of infection guidelines at the end of the day.






Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:
• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:
• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• ‘Cycle to Work’ and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites



The “must haves” for this role:


National Certificate for Dental Nurses or NVQ Level 3 in Oral Healthcare


Current registration with the General Dental Council (GDC)


Evidence of ongoing Continuous Professional Development with a maintained CPD portfolio


Experience working as part of a dental team providing chairside support in a dental setting (general practice, hospital, CDS or PDS)


NEBDN post qualification in OHE /OHP


Ability to provide safe, high‑quality dental nursing care to patients of all ages, including those with additional needs


Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work sensitively with anxious, distressed or vulnerable patients


Strong organisational skills and the ability to work under pressure, using own initiative


Understanding of confidentiality and commitment to maintaining patient privacy at all times


Good IT skills, including experience using dental computer systems and software


Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team


Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for travel between clinic sites


Flexibility to work outside standard hours (08:30–17:00) with appropriate notice

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

We’re committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.



This advert closes on Thursday 30 Apr 2026

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