Job summary
We are looking for enthusiastic dental professionals to join our dynamic community dental team at Whittington Health. We are a large organisation providing paediatric and special care dentistry across ten boroughs in north London. You will work alongside our dedicated team including specialists, therapists, and oral health promoters, in fully equipped clinics and be well-supported by an experienced nursing and management team. You will have opportunities to develop your skills and interests in the areas of paediatric and special care dentistry.
Main duties of the job
The Community Dental Officer has the primary care role in the provision of high-quality oral health care to children and adults with complex needs who cannot be treated in general dental services.
In addition to clinical care, the post-holder may be required to participate in screening and epidemiology programmes for children and adults. The post holder would be expected to actively participate in clinical governance, audit and training programmes to improve the quality of service provision.
About us
Whittington Health serves a richly diverse population and works hard to ensure that all our services are fair and equally accessible to everyone. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the way we look after our staff. We aim to employ a workforce which is as representative as possible of this population, so we are open to the value of differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief. The Trustbelieves that as a public sector organisation we have an obligation to have recruitment, training, promotion and other formal employment policies and procedures that are sensitive to these differences. We think that by doing so, we are better able to treat our patients as well as being a better place to work.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. To provide high quality dental care to referred children who may be dentally anxious with high treatment needs or require special care
2. To provide dental care to adults with disabilities and special needs
3. To participate in epidemiology and screening programmes in schools, nurseries and for special care groups where indicated.
4. To contribute to oral health promotion programmes and dental public health activities
5. To manage the dental surgery to ensure that high quality dental services are provided safely, effectively and efficiently.
6. To comply with relevant standards and evidence-based guidelines and participate in its Clinical Governance, audit and training programmes.
7. To provide clinical cover, when required, in health centres other than their base clinic.
8. To communicate appropriately and sensitively with patients, families and carers taking into consideration differences in language, ability and culture.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
9. BDS
10. Full GDC registration
11. Eligible for Performers List
12. Evidence of CPD related to CDS care
Desirable
13. VT / FT or equivalent
Skills and abilities
Essential
14. Expertise in paediatric treatment planning and clinical management including inhalation sedation
15. Broad range of clinical skills in the management of adults and children with complex needs
16. Ability to manage difficult or challenging behaviours in patients
17. Ability to liaise with others in providing care for patients
18. Good interpersonal skills and liaison skills
19. Knowledge of good practice, clinical developments and evidence-based dentistry
20. An understanding of clinical governance issues in community dentistry
21. Ability to deal with patients' needs in a caring and sensitive manner
Experience
Essential
22. Clinical experience in the Community Dental Service, General Dental Service or Hospital Dental Service; or equivalent
23. Experience in treatment planning and clinical management of young children with anxiety and high treatment needs, including inhalation sedation
24. Broad experience of providing care to children and adults with special care needs.
Desirable
25. Experience of participating in dental epidemiology programmes
Personal Qualities
Essential
26. Enthusiasm, drive and commitment
27. Ability to maintain good relationships with colleagues within the various teams.
28. Ability to take on any type of work in perhaps far from traditional or ideal conditions and prioritise workload.
29. Ability to meet the demands of the post and to work under pressure