About this role
Job summary
We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Out of Hours Dental Officer to join our Bank team within the Primary Care Dental Service. Based at Bridgwater Dental Access Centre, this clinical role focuses on delivering urgent dental care to adults and children during weekends and bank holidays across Somerset.
As a Bank Dentist, you will play a vital role in providing responsive and high-quality dental treatment to patients with urgent needs. You will be part of a multidisciplinary team to ensure seamless care delivery. The role demands a high level of clinical competence, professionalism, and the ability to remain calm and decisive in emergency situations.
You will be expected to maintain up-to-date clinical knowledge, comply with all relevant policies and legislation, and contribute to clinical governance activities, whilst maintaining accurate electronic patient records and supporting NHS dental claims processing.
This role is ideal for a qualified dentist registered with the General Dental Council, with experience in primary, community, or general dental services. You should be confident in managing challenging situations, committed to safeguarding and infection control, and capable of delivering care with empathy and respect.
Main duties of the job
The Out of Hours Dental Officer plays a vital role in delivering urgent dental care across Somerset, ensuring patients receive timely and effective treatment during evenings, weekends, and bank holidays.
The post holder is expected to maintain current clinical knowledge and skills, whilst adhering to the principles of antimicrobial stewardship. Demanding a high level of clinical responsibility, the role requires emotional resilience, and a commitment to delivering compassionate care.
Compliance with all relevant policies including IRMER, Health & Safety, Data Protection, is essential to ensure safe practice for both patients and staff. Ongoing training is required to meet Trust standards and maintain clinical excellence.
Strong interdisciplinary collaboration is key, with the dentist expected to maintain close working relationships with colleagues and link with other health and social care agencies to support patient-centred services.
A thorough understanding of medical emergency protocols is essential, including competence in the use of emergency drugs and the ability to remain calm, decisive, and purposeful in challenging situations.
Membership in a registered Professional Protection Society is recommended to support professional practice.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
Flexible working options to help you balance work and lifeNHS pension scheme for long-term financial securityGenerous annual leave allowance to recharge and relaxA strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potentialAdditionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description Job responsibilities
Please refer to our job description to find out more details on this role, and take a look at our community dentistry video (link below) to see the service you would be part of:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q62-Vf0osQ
We welcome informal discussion or visits prior to application; should you wish to get in touch please contact Donna Chillingworth 07585 101817 - [email protected]
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Registration with General Dental Council (GDC) BDS or equivalent Full registration with the GDC Vocational training or equivalent To be on NHS England's National Primary Care Performers List
Experience Essential
Experience of working within Primary Dental Care and/or Community Dental Service and/or General Dental Services, with broad clinical experience
Additional Criteria Essential
Ability to recognise and manage medical emergencies, and challenging situations in a calm and professional manner. Compassionate - Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with staff, patients, carers and relatives (as appropriate), remaining sensitive and empathetic.
Desirable
Experience of R4 dental software Experience of audit and peer review.
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 Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address Community Dental Bridgwater
2-4 Taunton Road
Bridgwater
Somerset
TA6 3LS
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)