Suffolk University

Permanent contract
37.5 hours per week
Salary starting from £25k

The University of Suffolk Dental Community Interest Company (CIC)
is an exciting Dental Social Enterprise and innovative collaboration
between the University of Suffolk and the Suffolk and North East
Essex Integrated Care Board, seeking to provide high-quality NHS
dental services to the population of Suffolk through the brand new,
state of the art clinical facilities situated on the scenic Ipswich
Waterfront.


Embracing the latest technology and innovation, the facility will offer
fully equipped surgeries, intraoral cameras, digital radiography, and
access to CBCT diagnostics.


As a new provider of NHS dental care in the region the Dental Social
Enterprise is well-placed to offer ordinary dental care delivered with
extraordinary care.

Our ethos is all about enabling dental care,
improving oral health by increasing access to dental services and at
the same time providing opportunities for those starting or continuing
a dental career in the East of England.


In line with current good practice and optimum care delivery, an
opportunity to deliver person-centered care with a focus on
prevention, stabilisation, and disease management.


Purpose of the job:
To be part of a wider dental team providing dental nurse support and
work alongside dentists, dental therapists/hygienists, receptionists in
the care of service users.


This will include assisting in the full range of dental care provided to
service users of the dental service from supporting with routine
examinations to advanced specialist treatments

Main Duties and Responsibilities
Communication:
 Welcoming and receiving service users into the dental service
 Reassure service users and explain dental procedures especially when there may be communication difficulties.


 Monitor, support and reassure service users through relevant behavioural techniques.


 Monitor service users, identify any complications and take the necessary actions consistent with agreed local
and national protocols.


 Record treatment, for example, baseline charting, clinical treatments and periodontal charting from the dental
operator’s instructions.



 Undertake reception duties when required e.g., greeting service users, answering the telephone, making
appointments, explaining service user charges and collecting service user charges
 Liaise with the dental team, senior leaders and wider colleagues to maintain the effective running of the dental
service.


Clinical:
 In collaboration with the wider dental team decide when service users need to be seen urgently.


 Anticipate the operator’s requirements across a broad range of clinical procedures; practising four-handed
dentistry to improve speed, efficiency and comfort for the service user
 Assist the operator in organising the days activities.


 Monitor day lists and appointment diary and update as necessary.


 Prepare the surgery for use at the beginning of the session and clear up at the end of the session.


 Arrange for the timely supply of materials and laboratory work.


 Prepare filling and impression materials, instruments, equipment, dressings and syringes as requested by the
dental operator.


 Use equipment such as hand instruments, aspiration equipment, etc, in a manner which minimises the risk of
cross infection or soft tissue injury.


 Maintain hand pieces, aspirators and other equipment.


 Utilise keyboard skills for data entry on dental software programme.


 Give oral health and diet advice in line with evidence based national guidelines i.e., DH Delivering Better Oral
Health.


 Assist the dental operator in the provision of dental treatment and to supervise the service user until they are fit
to leave the dental service
 Provide pre-operative and post-operative instructions for service users in agreement with the operator.


 Accompany dental team members on outreach visits, as required and assist them throughout treatment.


 Undertake general clerical duties including dealing with petty cash, the collection/banking of service users’
payments, selling dental aids to the public and to balance all monies received at the end of the day.


 Assist with the ordering of general and pharmaceutical supplies and processing documentation for payment.


 Demonstrate own activities or workplace routines to new or less experienced staff in own work area
 Record treatment i.e., includes baseline charting, clinical treatments and periodontal charting from the operator’s
instructions.


 Decontaminate and handle instruments often contaminated with blood, saliva and debris in line with infection
control guidance.


 Maintain an aseptic working environment throughout and clear up at the end of the session ensuring that high
standards are maintained.


Professionalism, Leadership and Management:
 To be responsible for promoting the Organisation’s values and high-performance standards both individually and
as a team, in the achievement of our strategic objectives and priorities
 Act within the General Dental Council’s (GDC) ethical guidance and standards commensurate to that of a dental
professional.


 To build a strong external image of clinical excellence for the organisation and create opportunities to enhance the
profile of the social enterprise and its services, ensuring high social responsibility.


 Act within other professional laws and systems including Health and Safety, Freedom of Information Act and
Data Protection Legislation.


 Observe all policies and procedures and maintain the Staff Confidentiality Code of Conduct at all times.


 Follow and implement clinical policies and procedures to comply with legislation.


 Apply safe working practices and take responsibility for own actions.


 Support other members of the dental and wider healthcare team in the interest of service users.



 Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning through education, training and practice against agreed
occupational standards and in accordance with GDC guidance.


 Apply an evidence-based approach to learning, practice, clinical judgement and decision making and utilise
critical thinking and problem-solving skills.


 Take responsibility for personal development planning and reflective practice.


 Maintain professional behaviour and appearance, including being punctual and polite.


 Effectively manage own time and resources