About this role
Job summary
This is a clinically focused Specialist Paediatric Dentistry role within an NHS commissioned Community Dental Service, providing care for children and young people whose dental needs cannot be met within general dental services. Patients are referred by general dental practitioners and other health, social care and acute services, often presenting with complex needs that require specialist assessment and management. While many patients will be supported to return to general dental services, others will require ongoing specialist care within the Paediatric and Special Care Dental Service.
This post offers an excellent opportunity for an experienced Specialist in Paediatric Dentistry to play a key role in shaping and delivering highquality paediatric dental care across the service. The role combines advanced clinical practice with clinical leadership, supporting the delivery of comprehensive care pathways including dental trauma management, treatment under general anaesthetic, and close multidisciplinary working.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide expert clinical leadership in paediatric dentistry, with specific responsibility for the oversight and management of paediatric general anaesthetic (GA) lists for children requiring comprehensive dental care in Somerset and Dorset. Using their specialist knowledge and skills, they will ensure safe, effective and high quality clinical care for paediatric patients across community and primary care settings.
The role includes a strong focus on the management of paediatric dental trauma, offering an opportunity to significantly influence and develop the service's approach in this area. Working closely with senior colleagues, the wider dental team and partner services, the post holder will support service development, promote best clinical practice, and provide professional leadership within a multidisciplinary team, contributing to a high quality, patient centred paediatric dental service.
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
We're always happy to welcome informal enquiries before submitting an application. This could be a conversation about what the role might look like for you, or a visit to one of our clinics to meet some of the team. If you'd like to do either, please feel free to contact [email protected].
In the meantime, the job description provides further detail about the role, and our recruitment video (link below) offers a real insight into what it feels like to work within our Community Dental Service, as shared by our colleagues.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q62-Vf0osQ
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Full registration with the United Kingdom General Dental Council (GDC) . Inclusion as a Specialist in Paediatric Dentistry on the GDC register. NHS performer number for England. Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) Relevant Paediatric Dentistry Postgraduate qualification.
Experience Essential
Experience of: Working within primary and secondary care settings Providing oral healthcare/dental treatment under conscious sedation and general anaesthesia. Managing patients with high treatment needs. Experience of managing patients with dental trauma injuries Treating patients with additional care needs including disabilities, autistic spectrum disorder, and mental health illness. Broad clinical experience. Assessing and treatment planning for children undergoing general anaesthesia.
Additional Criteria Essential
Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the Trust, to meet the needs of the service.
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
Employer's website https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)