Senior Dental Officer

We are seeking an enthusiastic and conscientious dentist with good clinical and interpersonal skills to join the Community Special Care Dental Service. We have a 4 day post based in our community dental clinics in South West London.

Candidates will preferably have current or previous experience of working in a UK-based salaried primary care dental service established clinical skills in the provision of oral health care for children and adults with special needs. Understanding and knowledge of dental outreach dentistry would be desirable ie: domiciliary dentistry, mobile dentistry, dental screening and dental epidemiological fieldwork.

Working as part of a clinical team, these posts will be suitable for dentists who are committed to providing a high standard of oral healthcare and taking on leadership and management responsibilities.

Good clinical and patient management skills will enable the post-holders to achieve a high level of personal job satisfaction.

Full registration with the GDC and completed vocational training or equivalence are essential for these posts as is eligibility for a NHS performer number. A driving licence and daily access to a vehicle is also highly desirable.

Main duties of the job

• Responsible for the provision of high quality oral health care to patients, both adults and children, in need of special dental care including the provision of domiciliary dental services.
• The location of the clinical duties will be within the South West London, but may be varied according to the needs of the service.
• To keep accurate and clear contemporaneous written records on each patient outlining the clinical treatment performed and any advice given.
• To work in collaboration with the oral health promotion team when required and to advise educational, health and social care staff within the locality on Community Special Care Dentistry and oral health issues.
• To supervise, instruct and support administrative team, junior dentists and dental care professionals in their clinical duties whilst providing clinical care.
• To be responsible for supervising the dental nurse and to ensure that they perform the necessary duties in the dental surgery with regard to infection control and decontamination following the Infection Control Policy of the Department of Community Special Care Dentistry.
• This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder.

About us

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of £1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Job description
Job responsibilities

The appointee will be required to maintain registration with the General Dental Council and membership of an approved medical defence organisation at all times.

The appointee will be required to undertake Continuous Professional Development as outlined by the General Dental Council for the purposes of recertification.

The appointee will be allocated a base for administrative purposes which may be subject to change to meet the needs of the service.

Appointments will be subject to the completion of a satisfactory occupational health clearance.

Terms and Conditions of Service are those laid down for by the new contract for salaried primary care dental practitioners (2008).

Upon appointment, the appointee will be required to complete a form to join the national Performers List. NHS treatment to patients cannot be provided unless approval has been received from NHS England (London Dental Team).

The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and well-being and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.

To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.

To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff.

To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.

General

• The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and wellbeing and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.
• To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.
• We want to be an organisation where everyone shares a commitment to delivering the very best care and feels like their contribution is valuable and valued.
• At Kings we are a kind, respectful team:

Kind. We show compassion and understanding and bring a positive attitude to our work

Respectful. We promote equality, are inclusive and honest, speaking up when needed

Team. We support each other, communicate openly, and are reassuringly professional

• To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff.
• To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.
• This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder.
• All employees must hold an 'nhs.net' email account which will be the Trust's formal route for email communication.

Person Specification
Application form and interview
Essential

• Registerable dental qualification
• Full registration with the General Dental Council
• Registered postgraduate qualification

Desirable

• Registration on specialist list for Special Care Dentistry/ Paediatric Dentistry or equivalent experience.
• Experience in treating patients under general anaesthesia or intravenous sedation.