Job Description

Job title:

Lead Dental Nurse

Responsible to

The practice owner, and practice manager.

Responsible for

Dental nurses

Purpose of the job

Oversee and assist with all dental nurse support to dentists, hygienists and patients. Assist with reception or any clerical duties as required and perform such other tasks as reasonably requested by the Practice Owner or Practice Manager.

Employment duties

Perform high quality dental nursing whilst assisting each dentist, hygienist or therapist in all procedures in a safe and effective manner in accordance with the 'Code of Ethics' of the British Association of Dental Nurses, the GDC's 'Scope of Practice' Follow practice policies and procedures Maintain professional indemnity and registration with the GDC Undertake CPD in line with the GDC guidelines Establish, promote and maintain productive working relationships with all members of the team Liaise with the practice manager on all matters concerning administration, pay and service conditions Assist with the supervision of all dental nurses in the practice Assist with reception duties and perform other clerical duties if required Take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by your work

Key tasks

Clinically induct and supervise all new nurses in the practice Assist the Practice Manager with dental nurse rotas Control clinical inventory and stock ordering, liaising with reps to negotiate best prices for dental materials Perform the duties of the Infection Control Lead and ensure that all staff are aware of and adhere to the infection prevention procedures Perform Infection Prevention and Control Audits in line with requirements Supervise and support all dental nurses (including trainee dental nurses) Oversee the completion of autoclave, [washer disinfector, ultrasonic,] emergency drugs and equipment checklists Attend all practice meetings and assist the practice manager with content preparation as requested Prepare and maintain the clinical environment, including the equipment Carry out infection prevention and control procedures to prevent physical, chemical and microbiological contamination in the surgery or laboratory Record dental charting and oral tissue assessment carried out by other registrants Keep full, accurate and contemporaneous patient records and ensure that they are stored securely Prepare equipment materials and patients for dental radiography Process dental radiographs Monitor, support and reassure patients Give appropriate patient advice Support the patient and your colleagues if there is an emergency Make appropriate referrals to other health professionals
Perform the following additional procedures following appropriate training:

Oral health education and oral health promotion Assist in the treatment of patients who are under conscious sedation Assist in treatment of patients with special needs Assist in the treatment of orthodontic patients Carry out intra and extra - oral photography Pour, cast and trim study models Carry out shade taking Trace cephalometric radiographs
Perform the following additional procedures on prescription from or under the direction of another registrant:

Take radiographs Place rubber dam Measure and record plaque indices Remove sutures after the wound has been checked by a dentist Construct occlusal registration rims and special trays Repair the acrylic component of removable appliances Apply topical anaesthetic to the prescription of a dentist Construct mouthguards and bleaching trays to the prescription of a dentist Construct vacuum formed retainers to the prescription of a dentist Take impressions to the prescription of a dentist or a CDT (where appropriate) Apply fluoride varnish either on prescription from a dentist or direct as part of a structured dental health programme Segregate waste in accordance with the practice procedures and ensure its safe disposal Liaise with reception over appointments for each patient Escort patients from the waiting room to the surgery, confirm the patient's medical history is up to date and communicate to the dentist (hygienist/therapist) any change in medical history or problems that he/she has noted Follow all professional ethical guidelines including all rules on confidentiality Maintain and promote patient confidentiality in relation to patient medical history, details of treatment, financial transactions or any conversation overheard Complete laboratory request forms and keep records of all items sent, received and fitted Check that all necessary laboratory work is returned and ready for each session Assist in all clerical and administrative duties as required by the principal Report equipment failures or breakages to the practice manager Attend practice annual training for medical emergencies and CPR Perform other tasks in accordance with additional skills you have developed within the GDC 'Scope of Practice' Identify your training and development needs and undertake appropriate training to maintain and increase competence in nursing skills by following an agreed CPD programme to comply with the GDC requirements Provide feedback on the performance of all dental nurse Bring to the attention of the principal or practice manager any concerns about aspects of the practice, its performance or the performance of others in the practice Perform any other tasks that are reasonably requested by the principal
Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 24,500.00-26,500.00 per year

Schedule:

8 hour shift Day shift Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person

Reference ID: Lead Nurse July 2025