Dental Therapist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical Duties and Responsibilities :

With regards to clinical duties the post holder will work to the prescription of a dentist.

To provide highly specialist quality dental care for adult and child patients who are eligible for treatment in the Special Care Dental Service with a wide range of treatment needs including those who:

• • Have high levels of untreated decay
  • Are dentally anxious
  • Are medically compromised
  • Are physically disabled
  • Have learning disabilities
  • Have mental health problems
  • Are socially excluded and unable to access dental care in the General Dental Service (eg sex workers, substance misuse, homeless etc)

Clinical sessions may be undertaken at fixed or mobile clinics, or on a domiciliary basis in patients homes, hospitals or other institutions as determined by the needs of the service.

The provision of clinical care and dental hygiene for a range of patients for whom the service has responsibility. This would include the medically compromised, those with special needs and individuals with head and neck cancer. Specifically;

To provide dental hygiene care to a wide range of patients

To plan, develop, implement and evaluate appropriate interventions to prevent disease and promote health for individual patients.

To obtain a detailed dental history from patients and evaluate their medical history

To screen, record and monitor the incidence of periodontal disease.

To provide preventive oral care to patients and liaise with dentists over the treatment of caries, periodontal disease and tooth wear

To undertake supragingival and subgingival scaling and root debridement using manual and powered instruments

To use appropriate anti-microbial therapy to manage plaque related diseases

To adjust restored surfaces in relation to periodontal treatment

To apply materials to teeth such as fluoride and fissure sealants.

To give smoking cessation advice.

The prescription, taking, development and interpretation of dental radiographs

The administration of infiltration and inferior dental block anaesthesia.

The emergency placement of temporary dressings and crowns (with temporary

cement)

The taking of impressions

To identify anatomical features, recognise abnormalities, interpret common

pathology and carry out oral cancer screening

When necessary, refer patients to other healthcare professionals

The placement of rubber dam

The placement of direct restorations on permanent and deciduous teeth.

Pulp therapy (pulpotomies) on deciduous teeth.

The extraction of primary teeth.

The placement of pre-formed crowns on deciduous teeth.

To plan the delivery of a patients care

The administration of inhalational sedation.

Selection of the correct instruments, medicaments and materials to complete treatment for patients

With suitable training in sedation and additional Life Support training (in line with national guidelines), to administer inhalation sedation

To refer patients if necessary to other healthcare professionals, both within the service and outside of the service.

Oral Health Advice

Provide evidence based oral health education on a one to one basis or in a group situation as outlined in current guidelines (Delivering Better oral Health an evidence based toolkit for prevention)

Give specific preventive advice including:

Diet advice

Oral Hygiene instruction

Advice and use of fluoride agents

The benefits of smoking cessation

Advice on alcohol consumption

To ensure that patient records are completed accurately in line with Special Care Dental Service records policy

To check with patients or their parents/carers that the medical history and consent forms have been completed correctly

Other duties

Take responsibility for the management of the immediate clinical environment and immediate dental team.

To maintain accurate clinical and statistical records through the use of the Soel Health dental management programme and other systems.

Identify commonly occurring medical emergencies and lead the dental team in the appropriate first line management of such an emergency, using appropriate techniques, equipment and drugs.

Understand the responsibility for health and safety issues.

Demonstrate the application of the principles of ethical behaviour relevant to dentistry including honesty, confidentiality, integrity and compliance with the standards for dental professionals laid down by the GDC.

When required, to play a role in the annual BASCD Epidemiological Surveys run by Public Health England.

Taking appropriate responsibility, where necessary, to ensure the trusts corporate strategies and objectives are achieved and contribute to the smooth running of the dental services

Completion of data for contract, quality and ethnic monitoring

To direct the work of any dental nurse providing chairside assistance.

To give practical instruction to trainee dental nurses while undertaking clinical work.

To undertake other duties to meet the changing needs and priorities of the Special Care Dental Service, as determined by your manager and in accordance with the grade of the post.

To monitor and maintain stock and adequate supplies necessary for the service

Clinical Governance

Have an active role in the dental departments clinical governance activity and clinical audit.

Understand the legislative framework governing the delivery of oral health care in England.

Demonstrate a professional clinical approach including participation in appraisal, peer review, clinical audit and continuing professional development activities.

To undertake relevant postgraduate activity as agreed with the Clinical Lead.

To minimise the risks by following and developing systems of safe working within the dental service following Health and Safety instructions in accordance with Trust procedures within the place of work and to be responsible for your own Health and Safety within the work place.

Individual Responsibilities

The post holder is expected to adhere to Trust policies and procedures and relevant legislation including the requirements of the any professional bodies

attend mandatory training as identified by the Trust

adhere to Trust infection prevention policies, procedures, audits in line with the Health Act 2006, to actively reduce Health Care Associated Infections

Person Specification

Essential

Essential

• Registration with GDC
• Dental Therapist Qualification

Desirable

• Previous experience with Community Dental or Hospital Dental Services
• Three years post Qualification experience as a Dental Therapist
• Previous experience of providing care for children with additional needs
• Experience of delivering Oral Health Promotion or training sessions to other health professionalsr
• Experience of working as a lone clinician

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust

Address

Pennfields Health Centre

Upper Zoar Street

Wolverhampton

WV3 0JH

Employer's website

https://www.royalwolverhampton.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)