About this role
Job summary
We are seeking a qualified Dental Nurse to join our friendly and supportive dental team. The successful candidate will assist the dentist during a wide range of clinical procedures, helping to deliver high-quality dental care to patients.
The role involves preparing and maintaining clinical areas, supporting patient care, and working closely with colleagues to ensure excellent standards of infection prevention, control, and organisation are maintained at all times. The post holder will play a key role in ensuring the smooth and efficient running of the dental service while providing a positive experience for patients.
This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated and caring individual who is committed to delivering safe, effective, and patient-centred care.
Working Pattern
Monday: 8:45am to 6:40pmTuesday: 8:45am to 5:15pmFlexibility required to cover annual leave and service needsThe Urgent Dental Access Centre operates from our newly established dental facility at Cumbria Health Headquarters, at Rosehill Industrial Estate in Carlisle.
Candidates are required to have a Dental Nursing qualification & a General Dental Council (GDC) registration.
CLOSING DATE: 13 August 2026
Important Notice: Please include a mobile number on your application and check your spam/junk folders regularly, as emails from us may be filtered there.
We encourage early applications, as this vacancy may close early if sufficient applications are received.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will support the dentist in all procedures, to assist in a full range of dental care and to work within the dental team to ensure a high standard of infection control and organisation is maintained.
This position involves a range of both administrative and clinical tasks, requiring a blend of technical skill, patient care, and organisational ability.
All staff are expected to work to Cumbria Healths Values:
Clinically focused - Everything every one of us does is for the patient. Responsive - We listen, and we respond quickly in a patient focussed way. One Team - We work together to provide a high-quality service which is organised and consistent, and in partnership with both the local Acute and Community Trusts. Growth & Sustainability -With our strong roots we will continue to thrive and grow. Communities - Connecting with communities to meet local needs. High Standards - We provide skilled professionals working to the highest standards who are passionate about improving patient care.
About us
Cumbria Health places the patient, their family and their community at the heart of everything we do. We are an award-winning organisation, the first out-of-hours organisation in the country to be rated as outstanding by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
We provide primary health care services, both in and out of hours, across Cumbria. We are values-driven and place great emphasis on inclusivity and the wellbeing and development of our staff, while striving to provide a consistently high-quality service. Our service is designed to improve health and wellbeing.
Working for Cumbria Health can offer flexible opportunities in terms of location, hours and working patterns so you can enjoy a great work life balance. In order to provide the best patient care we understand the importance of ensuring staff satisfaction and are consistently trying to ensure we offer our staff a positive working environment whether that be though training or social events.
Listen to your heart. Have the work life balance you'd love.
Job description Job responsibilities
This list of duties and responsibilities, which follows, represents the broad range of tasks which may be required to be undertaken either routinely or periodically. This list is not exhaustive, and the role may include additional duties which are not listed here.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
Clinical:
Assist the dentist or hygienist in organising the days activities. Monitor the day lists and appointment diary and update, as necessary. Prepare the surgery for use at the beginning of each session and clear up at the end of the session consistent with the Practices Health and Safety Protocol. Anticipate the dental operators requirements across a broad range of clinical procedures. Assist the dental operator in the provision of a broad range of dental treatment and to supervise the patient until they are fit to leave the Practice. Prepare filling and impression materials, instruments, equipment, dressings, and syringes. Use equipment such as hand instruments, aspiration equipment in a manner which minimises the risk of cross infection or soft tissue injury. Provide pre- and post-operative instructions for patients in agreement with the dental operator. Assist the dental operator in planning for appropriate follow up care. Maintain hand pieces, aspirators, and other equipment. Process radiographs. Arrange for the timely supply of materials and laboratory work. Utilise keyboard skills for data entry on dental software programmes. Accompany the dental operator on domiciliary visits (infrequently).
Communication:
Communicate clearly, appropriately and effectively using appropriate terminology by spoken, written and electronic methods and maintain and develop these skills. Receive the patient into the surgery and prepare them for treatment. Reassure patients and explain dental procedures especially when there may be communication difficulties. Monitor, support, and reassure patients through relevant behavioural techniques. Monitor patients, 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 operators instructions. Undertake reception duties when required, for example; answering the telephone, making appointments, explaining and where appropriate collecting patient charges. Take immediate advice from a senior colleague if a patient needs to be seen urgently.
Professionalism, Leadership and Management:
Act within the General Dental Councils (GDC) ethical guidance and standards commensurate to that of a dental professional. Act within other professionally laws and systems including Health and Safety, Freedom of Information Act and Data Protection Legislation. Follow and implement clinical policies and procedures to comply with legislation. Treat patients and colleagues with dignity and respect. Protect the confidentiality of patient information. Apply safe working practices and take responsibility for own actions. Co-operate with other members of the dental and wider healthcare team in the interest of patients. Respect the role of the dental and healthcare professionals in the context of learning and working in a wider healthcare team. Act without discrimination and show respect for patients, staff, peers, and the public. Understand own capabilities and limitations in the interest of high-quality patient care and always act within these boundaries. 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 when attending assessor led meetings and in the workplace. Reflect on the impact of personal behaviour and manage this accordingly.
Effectively manage own time and resources.
Person Specification
Other Requirements Essential
Flexibility
Knowledge Essential
To have worked as part of a dental team, e.g. general practice, hospital, other PDS / CDS providing chair side duties. Experience of managing a dental clinic including decontamination, health and safety, management of the clinic diary and ordering consumables. Other experiences relevant to CDS such as working with the elderly, children and patients with special needs. Experience in working in secure establishments. Commitment to personal and professional development. Knowledge of data protection. Knowledge of information governance.
Desirable
Familiar with dental anatomy and physiology. Familiar with the process of infection control. First aid certificate.
Skills and Aptitudes Essential
Effective communication skills both oral and written. Good organisation. Ability to empathise and reassure. Basic computer skills. Ability to work autonomously with manager, clinician, and assessor for reference. Ability to work flexible hours
Desirable
Experience working in a health care setting. Experience in customer services.
Personal Circumstances Essential
Team player Enthusiastic, flexible Good timekeeper Smart appearance Friendly, approachable, and calm manner
Qualifications Essential
Good standard of education to GCSE level or equivalent, including English and Maths Dental Nurse Qualification GDC registration
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Cumbria Health
Address Cumbria Health
4 Wavell Drive, Rosehill Industrial Estate
Carlisle
CA1 2SE
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://cumbriahealth.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)