About this role
Job summary
Are you ready to make a genuine difference to the lives of patients who need it most? This is a rewarding opportunity to join the Dorset and Somerset Primary Care Dental Service, delivering high-quality, compassionate care to adults and children with special care, paediatric additional needs, or disabilities. Based primarily within the Special Care Dentistry team at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester, this role also offers the opportunity to contribute to services at our modern, purpose-built six-chair clinic in Poole, providing valuable variety and clinical breadth. We have permanent and fixed term roles available up to full time hours.
As a Dental Officer within our supportive and specialist team, you will play a vital role in improving access to dental services for some of the most vulnerable and medically complex patients in the community. You will work in a collaborative, forward-thinking environment that values professional development, clinical excellence, and patient-centred care. Whether treating patients within a clinical setting or reaching them in their own homes or care environments, this role offers meaningful impact, professional fulfilment, and the chance to shape a truly rewarding career in community dentistry.
We very much welcome informal approaches prior to application; should you wish to visit a clinic, meet the team and find out more about the role please get in touch.
Main duties of the job
In this role, you will deliver a full range of NHS dental care tailored to patients with additional needs, including those who have complex medical needs or experience significant dental anxiety. Your work will involve providing high-quality clinical care using local anaesthesia and behaviour management techniques, with opportunities to utilise sedation or general anaesthesia where appropriate to your competencies. You will be responsible for ensuring that all care is delivered safely, effectively, and with compassion, recognising the complexities and sensitivities involved in treating this patient group.
You will work closely with colleagues across primary and secondary care, as well as wider health and social care services, to ensure a coordinated and patient-centred approach. The role also includes contributing to domiciliary care, requiring visits to patients in their own homes, nursing homes, and care settings. Alongside clinical duties, you will support the wider team through sharing clinical advice, maintaining up-to-date professional knowledge, and ensuring high standards of safeguarding, consent, and emergency preparedness are consistently upheld.
To find out more about the experiences of colleagues working within our community service, please view our recruitment video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q62-Vf0osQ
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.
Job description Job responsibilities
This clinical post sits within the Dorset and Somerset Primary Care Dental Service and is focused on providing comprehensive oral healthcare for adults and children with special care and paediatric additional needs, including individuals with disabilities and those who are medically compromised. The role involves delivering the full spectrum of NHS dental services, adapting approaches to meet the complex and varied needs of the patient population in both clinical and community settings.
The postholder will take responsibility for assessing, planning, and delivering high-quality dental treatment under local anaesthesia, applying skilled behavioural management techniques to support patients who may be anxious or unable to tolerate conventional care. Where appropriately trained and competent, the role may extend to providing treatment using sedation and general anaesthesia. A thorough understanding of pain and anxiety management is essential, particularly in relation to patients with additional needs.
Working as part of a multidisciplinary framework, the postholder will collaborate with dental colleagues across primary and secondary care, as well as maintain strong links with wider health and social care professionals to ensure integrated and holistic care delivery. The role includes providing professional advice to colleagues on dental matters and contributing to the ongoing development of team knowledge and service quality.
Flexibility is required as the role will involve working across different locations within Dorset, including the base at Dorset County Hospital, clinical sessions at the Poole site, and domiciliary visits to patients in their own homes or care settings. The postholder will be expected to respond effectively to medical emergencies within both clinical and outreach environments, maintaining full competence in emergency protocols and the use of Trust-approved emergency medications.
The role also requires adherence to all relevant legal and professional frameworks, including obtaining valid informed consent in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005, and operating in accordance with Trust safeguarding policies to ensure the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable patients. Continuous professional development is expected, with a commitment to maintaining and enhancing clinical skills and knowledge in line with evolving best practice.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
BDS or equivalent. Full registration with the GDC. To be on NHS England's National Primary Care Performers List. Vocational training or equivalent.
Desirable
Postgraduate Clinical Qualifications
Experience Essential
Experience of working within Primary Dental Care and/or Primary Care Dental Service and/or General Dental Services.
Desirable
Experience of sedation. Experience of general anaesthesia. Experience of working in Secondary Care Broad clinical experience
Additional Criteria Essential
Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance
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 Special Care Dentistry Dept
Dorset County Hospital
Dorchester
Dorset
DT1 2JY
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)