Dental Therapist

Job summary
A dental Therapist is part of a specialist team within the Oral Maxillo-facial and Orthodontic Department. It is an autonomous, demanding role where the post holder is responsible for managing and maintaining their own clinical case load of patients, referred by various clinicians within the Department for assessment of their oral health.

The post holder will provide dental hygiene treatment, oral health education and any other appropriate clinical procedure as determined by the referring clinician. They treat a diverse client group, including patients with:

• Orthodontic treatment needs (pre and post treatment)
• Special needs
• Medical problems
• Psychological problems
• Severe anxiety
• Complex restorative pts

Main duties of the job
Provides high-quality dental therapy under the prescription of a registered dentist in accordance with GDC regulations. Assesses, plans, delivers and evaluates patient care, undertaking comprehensive oral health assessments and managing patients with complex medical conditions, including head and neck cancer, radiotherapy, implant therapy, cardiac conditions, HIV, transplants and complex drug therapies.

Delivers prescribed treatments including periodontal therapy, scaling and polishing, fluoride varnish, local anaesthetic administration, oral hygiene instruction, dietary advice, radiography (where trained) and CPITN assessments. Maintains accurate clinical records, obtains informed consent and refers patients appropriately.

Communicates effectively with patients, carers and the multidisciplinary team, supporting anxious and non-compliant patients through education and motivation. Participates in audit, quality improvement, research and service development while maintaining GDC registration, indemnity and CPD.

Ensures compliance with Trust policies, infection prevention, health and safety, medical emergency procedures, equipment maintenance and patient confidentiality. Supervises dental nurses and undertakes administrative duties to support efficient service delivery.

About us
Standards of Conduct
Conduct duties with regard to values underpinning the Trust's Vision "to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care":-

Values: -

• Respecting the individual
• Putting patients and customers first
• Promoting positive change
• Acting with integrity
• Serving the community

Underpinning the Trust's vision and values are the following key operating principles that influence the way in which the Trust does business: -

Understand the world we live in and deal with it. We are clinically led and management supported. Support departments support the front line. Everything is delivered by and through Divisions. Compliance with standards and targets are a given. They are the things we do to help secure our independence and influence. Quality is our organising principle - driving quality up and cost down is not mutually exclusive. We deliver what we say we need to.

Post holders are expected to work flexibly within their pay band. They should only be expected to carry our activities for which they are competent. Alternatively, they may carry out the additional duties if they are receiving support or training in order to obtain the recognised level of competence.

The Trust operates a Tobacco Control Policy.

Details
Date posted: 04 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year, per annum, pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 435-S121-26
Job locations: Royal Blackburn Hospital, Haslingden road, Blackburn, BB2 3HH, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
A dental Therapist is part of a specialist team within the Oral Maxillo-facial and Orthodontic Department. It is an autonomous, demanding role where the post holder is responsible for managing and maintaining their own clinical case load of patients, referred by various clinicians within the Department for assessment of their oral health.

The post holder will provide dental hygiene treatment, oral health education and any other appropriate clinical procedure as determined by the referring clinician. They treat a diverse client group, including patients with:

• Orthodontic treatment needs (pre and post treatment)
• Special needs
• Medical problems
• Psychological problems
• Severe anxiety
• Complex restorative pts

Person Specification
Essential

• Degree/ diploma in Dental hygiene Current GDC registration Competence in permitted extended duties
• Current GDC registration
• Experience in Problem solving skills Prioritising and planning skills working/ dealing with special needs groups including the elderly and young patient, medically compromised patients, implants, head and neck cancer and those patients with differing abilities and behaviour
• Computer literate
• Knowledge of the needs of medically compromised patients to enable safe practice i.e. HIV, transplant, radiotherapy, heart problems
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (both written and verbal)
• To facilitate service delivery Flexible and responsive to change

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.

Employer details
Employer name: East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
Address: Royal Blackburn Hospital, Haslingden road, Blackburn, BB2 3HH, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: ENT & OMFS OPD Manager, Rochelle Greenwood
Email: rochelle.newton@elht.nhs.uk
Phone: 01254732874

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