Dental Nurse - Public Dental Service

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is one of the largest healthcare systems in the United Kingdom, employing approximately 40,000 staff across a wide range of clinical and non‑clinical professions and roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health services to a population of over 1.15 million people, and to a wider population of 2.2 million when regional and national services are included.

The Role

We are currently seeking motivated and compassionate individuals to join our team as Dental Nurses within the Public Dental Service, Oral Health Directorate. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to high‑quality patient care within a dynamic and supportive environment. The post holder will work as part of a team within the Oral Health Directorate in providing an efficient, effective service to patients by generating a high standard of dental nursing assistance; ensuring agreed quality standards of dental nursing care are achieved.

Duration, Location, and Working Pattern

• The location for this post is Townhead Health Centre
• The post holder’s shift pattern will be Monday to Friday, 08:30 – 16:30

Key Responsibilities

• To provide chair side support for dentists, therapists and student on outreach, including attendance at residential accommodation and domiciliary care. This involves emotional and physical support to the patient, assisting the clinician during treatment and with pre and post treatment care including the reinforcing of instructions to patients
• Provide oral health instruction, under the direction of the clinician, giving the patient encouragement, knowledge and skills to improve their dental health
• Collection of patient charges if appropriate
• Deal appropriately with enquiries or complaints from patients and/or their carers and other health care professionals
• Participate in the local system/protocol for reporting faults with dental equipment or estates
• Participate in a system ensuring emergency equipment is regularly checked and maintained to be able to deal with the management of any medical emergency
• Participate in the efficient use of all clinic appointment/ recall systems
• Participate in the completion of statistical data and returns
• Maintenance of patient records and any associated paperwork
• Participate in maintaining systems for the efficient storage, filing and retrieval of patients’ records
• Participate in maintenance of x‑ray developing systems and completion of information in the x‑ray log book
• Flexibility to cover other clinics Directorate‑wide as required
• Taking part in continuing education and personal development, through PDP process, keeping up to date with developments
• Take part in peer group meetings and activates
• Participate in the training and development of the dental nurse team
• Contribute to the maintenance of effective communication systems within the Directorate
• Participate in clinical audit and quality assurance to ensure effective systems of Clinical Governance

Knowledge, training, qualifications and/or experience required to do the job

• National Certificate of the National Examining Board for Dental Nurses (or hospital equivalent)
• Knowledge of Control of Infection Standard policies and procedures
• Knowledge of Health and Safety policies
• Become registered member of Dental Nurse Body
• Keep up to date in all new materials/techniques used
• CPR, emergency drug use
• Substantial completion of forms
• Recording of patient needs and treatment completed

What We Offer

We offer a wide range of supportive policies designed to enhance your employee journey, including a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, bursary scheme and extensive learning and development opportunities.

As an NHS Scotland employee, you will be entitled to:

• A minimum of 27 days annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus public holidays
• Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme, including life insurance benefits
• Salary Sacrifice Car Benefit Scheme
• Development opportunities including study bursaries, e-learning and classroom‑based courses
• Enhanced pay for working public holidays
• NHS discounts on a wide range of goods and services
• Confidential employee support and assistance, including counselling and psychological therapies

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, we would love to hear from you.

For An Informal Discussion, Please Contact

Dental Manager, Melanie Cook, , 07790 

Details on how to contact the Recruitment Service and the Recruitment Process: This post may close early to the volume of response. Please submit your application form as soon as possible. Due to the volume of applications that we receive, we will not be able to provide shortlisting feedback.

From 1 April 2026, the Agenda for Change full‑time working week will reduce from 37 hours to 36 hours. Part‑time working hours will be reduced on a pro‑rata basis. A corresponding increase in the hourly rate will apply, ensuring that overall pay remains unchanged.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) recognises the importance of work‑life balance and is committed to offering a range of flexible working options where service needs allow. For roles where less than full‑time hours can be accommodated, and where the tenure is listed as “various” , we encourage applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements. Flexible working will be included as a topic for discussion during the recruitment process.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and are proud of the diverse workforce we employ.

By signing the Armed Forces Covenant , NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We welcome applications from across the Armed Forces Community and recognise military skills, experience and qualifications throughout the recruitment and selection process.

Candidates must provide original and authentic responses to all questions within the application form. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) , automated tools or other third‑party assistance to generate, draft or significantly modify responses is strongly discouraged. By submitting your application, you confirm that all answers are your own work, reflect your personal knowledge, skills and experience, and have not been solely produced or altered by AI or similar technologies. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in your application being withdrawn from the recruitment process.

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