Job summary
We are seeking one Trust Grade Dental Core Trainee (DCT) in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. This role is for DCT 1 or DCT 2 level and is fixed term for 8 months. The role is available until October 2025 and is aimed at someone who wants to pursue a career in surgery or who wants to improve their knowledge and skills in Oral & Maxillofacial surgery.
We encourage applications from:
- dental graduates with a dental qualification (BDS or equivalent) and / or
- medical graduates with a medical qualification (MBBS or equivalent) and /or
- candidates who are dual qualified in medicine and dentistry.
Dental candidates should ideally have experience in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at DCT level and have active GDC registration at time of applying. Applicants eligible for temporary registration with the GDC may also be considered.
Medical Candidates should have hospital experience within a surgical speciality at FY2 or CT level and have active GMC registration with a licence to practice at time of applying.
The base site location for this role is Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton. The Blake Ward is the dedicated head and neck specialist ward in the Duchess Building at Musgrove Park and is shared by OMFS, ENT and Ophthalmology.
The General outpatient clinics are held in the main OMFS Departments in Musgrove Park and Yeovil District Hospitals. Minor oral surgery procedures are performed under local anaesthetic in these departments. The OMFS Departments have excellent facilities and modern equipment.
Main duties of the job
These are varied and interesting jobs in which you will be part of a very supportive and approachable team and provided with great educational support and hands-on training. You will get good exposure to a wide range of oral and maxillofacial surgery with opportunities to enhance your skills.
The on-call shifts are on a rotational basis with a 1:5 weekday on-call shifts (24 hour), and 1:6 weekends on-call (48 hour) . The out of hours on call is non-resident but an on call room will be available on site free of charge during all on call shifts.
The workload of the department includes dentoalveolar surgery, oral medicine, maxillofacial trauma, orofacial malignancy, Orthognathic surgery, TMJ surgery.
You will have exposure to patients in outpatient clinics, local anaesthetic clinics, theatres and on-call.
You will be expected to assist in the day to day care of ward patients. This will entail clerking, preparation of operating lists and attendance on the daily ward round.
Teaching is actively encouraged and clinical audit is well developed in the Trust.
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 life
- NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
- Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
- A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, 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
Clinical
These full shift posts offer wide experience in all aspects of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Individuals will:
Be part of a large Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Team delivering the highest standards of care to our patients in Somerset.
Take part in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery clinics, Minor Oral Surgery under local anaesthetic and Trauma and Emergency clinics, both supervised and solo, as appropriate to experience.
Be involved with admission and clerking patients for operating lists and emergency cases in theatres
Attend and assist inpatient and day case general anaesthetic theatre lists with senior staff, where hands on training takes place.
Carry out On call duties including dealing with inpatient care of Maxillofacial patients and emergency referrals.
May travel to other sites where the Team treats patients (principally Yeovil District Hospital). Travel expenses to alternative locations (other than Taunton) will be paid.
Education:
Teaching is actively encouraged at all levels in the Division and the Trust. Clinical Audit is well developed in the Trust. It has the largest clinical audit computerised database in the South West, which provides regular data for clinical audit, research and resource management. Trainee logbooks, acceptable to the Royal Colleges, are a special feature of this service. The department has a well organised and co- ordinated audit programme with up to three departmental audits in place at any one time.
You will have....
Weekly departmental teaching session
Monthly Departmental Clinical Governance sessions
Regular tutorials/journal club meetings
Support for the MFDS membership and other post-graduate examinations
Trust Mandatory training program
Venepuncture and IV Cannulation training
The completion of at least one complete audit project is expected during the year
DCTs are encouraged to publish and present at local, regional and national meetings
Comprehensive departmental induction provided including information pack, teaching and shadowing period
There is a study leave allowance to aid undertaking postgraduate courses or examinations
Opportunities to provide teaching to medical students and colleagues
Access to a named Educational Supervisor
Access same as per a trainee.
Related Clinical Skills Opportunities
You will have opportunities in:
Orthodontic department
Restorative dentistry department
Dental laboratory
Multidisciplinary meetings including Head & Neck Oncology and Skin Cancer
Monthly Orthognathic Joint Clinic
Liaison with medical specialties for specific issues: a) Cardiology patients requiring dental assessment b) Haematology for patients with coagulopathies and anticoagulated patients c) Oncology for patients requiring dentoalveolar surgery who are receiving oncology treatment
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
These full shift posts offer wide experience in all aspects of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Individuals will:
Be part of a large Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Team delivering the highest standards of care to our patients in Somerset.
Take part in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery clinics, Minor Oral Surgery under local anaesthetic and Trauma and Emergency clinics, both supervised and solo, as appropriate to experience.
Be involved with admission and clerking patients for operating lists and emergency cases in theatres
Attend and assist inpatient and day case general anaesthetic theatre lists with senior staff, where hands on training takes place.
Carry out On call duties including dealing with inpatient care of Maxillofacial patients and emergency referrals.
May travel to other sites where the Team treats patients (principally Yeovil District Hospital). Travel expenses to alternative locations (other than Taunton) will be paid.
Education:
Teaching is actively encouraged at all levels in the Division and the Trust. Clinical Audit is well developed in the Trust. It has the largest clinical audit computerised database in the South West, which provides regular data for clinical audit, research and resource management. Trainee logbooks, acceptable to the Royal Colleges, are a special feature of this service. The department has a well organised and co- ordinated audit programme with up to three departmental audits in place at any one time.
You will have....
Weekly departmental teaching session
Monthly Departmental Clinical Governance sessions
Regular tutorials/journal club meetings
Support for the MFDS membership and other post-graduate examinations
Trust Mandatory training program
Venepuncture and IV Cannulation training
The completion of at least one complete audit project is expected during the year
DCTs are encouraged to publish and present at local, regional and national meetings
Comprehensive departmental induction provided including information pack, teaching and shadowing period
There is a study leave allowance to aid undertaking postgraduate courses or examinations
Opportunities to provide teaching to medical students and colleagues
Access to a named Educational Supervisor
Access same as per a trainee.
Related Clinical Skills Opportunities
You will have opportunities in:
Orthodontic department
Restorative dentistry department
Dental laboratory
Multidisciplinary meetings including Head & Neck Oncology and Skin Cancer
Monthly Orthognathic Joint Clinic
Liaison with medical specialties for specific issues: a) Cardiology patients requiring dental assessment b) Haematology for patients with coagulopathies and anticoagulated patients c) Oncology for patients requiring dentoalveolar surgery who are receiving oncology treatment
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Primary Dental Qualification: BDS or equivalent and GDC registration or eligible for temporary registration with GDC at time of applying
- or
- Primary Medical Qualification: MBBS or equivalent and Full GMC registration with a license to practice at time of applying.
- Evidence of commitment to continuing professional development and willingness to undertake relevant courses.
Desirable
- MFDS, MJDF or equivalent
- Or
- MRCS
Experience
Essential
- At least 12 months experience in clinical dentistry in an NHS hospitalOrExperience in surgical specialty at FY2 or CT level.
- The ability to operate and work independently whilst being aware of own limitations and know when to consult senior colleagues.
Desirable
- Previous experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery at DCT/SHO level.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- High commitment to clinical work.
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with patients, carers, GPs, nurses and other colleagues.
- Evidence of maintaining clinical knowledge and skills.
- Ability to work as part of a team.
- Commitment to personal & professional Development.
- Enthusiasm.
- Approachability.
- Show initiative, take responsibility and make decisions.
- Management and leadership skills.
- Mature approach.
- Knowledge and experience of clinical audit and quality improvement.
- Is up to date and fit to practise safely (fitness to practice).
- Punctual, trustworthy and reliable.
Desirable
- Full driving licence and ability to travel across sites in Somerset if needed.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Primary Dental Qualification: BDS or equivalent and GDC registration or eligible for temporary registration with GDC at time of applying
- or
- Primary Medical Qualification: MBBS or equivalent and Full GMC registration with a license to practice at time of applying.
- Evidence of commitment to continuing professional development and willingness to undertake relevant courses.
Desirable
- MFDS, MJDF or equivalent
- Or
- MRCS
Experience
Essential
- At least 12 months experience in clinical dentistry in an NHS hospitalOrExperience in surgical specialty at FY2 or CT level.
- The ability to operate and work independently whilst being aware of own limitations and know when to consult senior colleagues.
Desirable
- Previous experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery at DCT/SHO level.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- High commitment to clinical work.
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with patients, carers, GPs, nurses and other colleagues.
- Evidence of maintaining clinical knowledge and skills.
- Ability to work as part of a team.
- Commitment to personal & professional Development.
- Enthusiasm.
- Approachability.
- Show initiative, take responsibility and make decisions.
- Management and leadership skills.
- Mature approach.
- Knowledge and experience of clinical audit and quality improvement.
- Is up to date and fit to practise safely (fitness to practice).
- Punctual, trustworthy and reliable.
Desirable
- Full driving licence and ability to travel across sites in Somerset if needed.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
