Community Dental Nurse with certificate of sponsorship to the UK
Job Summary
We currently have an exciting opportunity for a full-time Band 4 Dental Nurse in Community Dental Services based at St Leonards Hospital in Inner North East London (INEL). We are seeking to appoint someone who is passionate about delivering a high-quality standard of care to our patients across London borough of Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Newham. The range of services includes Sedation, Special Care Dentistry, Paediatric Dentistry, Domiciliary care, Bariatric and Dental Mobile service (Homeless/Medium secure unit). You will need to be able to work in a very busy environment whilst remaining calm and be able to demonstrate a good understanding of and commitment to delivering excellent standards of care.
Visa and Sponsorship Information
This position comes with a Certificate of Sponsorship, making it an excellent opportunity for qualified dental nurses from outside the UK who are seeking to relocate and work in the NHS. The employer, Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, is willing to sponsor overseas candidates who meet the required qualifications and have the necessary skills for this role. However, applicants must still confirm their visa/work permit eligibility directly with the employer, as sponsorship does not guarantee approval for a UK visa. Applicants must have current UK professional registration, and for further information, please see the NHS Careers website for overseas healthcare professionals.
Company Information
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust is a healthcare provider rated ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). We have a passion for delivering high standards of patient care and excellent services to improve the health of our communities. To achieve this, we need outstanding people who share our values: compassionate, aspirational, responsive, and excellent. We pride ourselves on being diverse and welcome applications from people with varied backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.
Job Details
This is a permanent, full-time position for a Community Dental Nurse at Band 4 level. The role is based at St Leonards Dental Service in Hackney, London, with work locations spanning across London boroughs of Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Newham. The post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required.
Salary and Benefits
The salary for this position is £27,485 to £30,162 per annum, plus a 20% Inner London High Cost Area Allowance payment, calculated pro-rata. The pay scheme is based on the Agenda for Change terms and conditions. As an employee of the NHS, you will also benefit from a generous annual leave allowance, NHS Pension Scheme, and access to various staff benefits and discounts.
Working Pattern
This is a full-time permanent position. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we are open to discussing working arrangements that suit both the employee and the service. We want you to be able to work in a way that is best for us, for our patients, and for you, without sacrificing time for personal interests or family commitments.
Qualifications and Requirements
The essential qualifications for this role include (QCF) Level 3 in Oral Health/Dental Nursing. This could be an NVQ Level 3 apprenticeship, BTEC, or equivalent international qualification in healthcare and maintenance of GDC registration. Additionally, Functional Skills at Level 2 in Literacy and Numeracy (equivalent to GCSE grade A-C/4-9 in English and Maths) is required. While we welcome applicants from individuals wishing to further their knowledge and skills, these qualifications are essential for carrying out the job effectively.
Essential Skills and Experience
You will need to have sound communication skills in order to understand and communicate both verbally and in writing. The ability to work together with colleagues and other teams across the Trust is essential. You will need to remain professional, work well under pressure, and organise your own work to prioritise care delivery in line with trust policies and procedures. Additionally, you will need hand and eye coordination to use your clinical skills to assemble equipment, mix dental materials, and hold instruments in position for the practitioner.
Desirable Qualifications
While not essential, experience of radiology and a qualification in RA/IV would be advantageous for this role. These additional skills would enhance your capabilities as a dental nurse within our community services and could open up further opportunities for professional development within the organisation.
Main Duties
As a Community Dental Nurse, you will be delivering high-quality customer services to patients and visitors. Your responsibilities will include providing chair-side assistance, visiting patients in the community (domiciliary, homeless centres, and the medium secure unit in the mobile dental unit), covering reception, and supporting the entire dental team. You will be responsible for organising dental kits and materials for domiciliary dental visits and undertaking specific roles as directed by the Dental Nurse team leader to support the day-to-day running of the clinics. You will ensure compliance with regulatory standards including CQC, Dental Practice Inspections, Standard Operating Procedures, and Health & Safety Risk Assessment. The role requires strong leadership abilities, with the capacity to work independently, proactively, and under pressure.
About the Employer
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, which leads to better patient care and a happier workforce. We ask for information about your protected characteristics on our application forms, which isn’t visible to anyone involved with shortlisting or interviewing you, except when you choose to be considered under the guaranteed interview scheme due to disability. The data we collect helps us ensure we are attracting diversity in our applicants, that all colleagues have equitable access to career opportunities, and supports our journey to being a Great Place to Work. As an ‘outstanding’ rated Trust by the CQC, we offer a supportive environment where you can develop your career while making a real difference to patients’ lives.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, please visit the NHS Jobs website and search for reference number 846-7728439-TS. When applying, ensure you highlight how your experience and qualifications meet the person specification criteria. International applicants should include details of their professional registration and any relevant UK qualifications. You will need to confirm you have a full UK driving licence where driving is a requirement of the role, although we are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities into employment and can make reasonable adjustments if needed.
Application Process
Our application process is designed to be fair and inclusive. After submitting your application, it will be shortlisted based on the criteria in the person specification. If you are shortlisted, you will be invited for an interview where you will have the opportunity to demonstrate your skills and discuss your experience with our team. We can get a lot of applications for some roles, so to be in with the best chance of being shortlisted, please make sure you apply as soon as possible. A vacancy may close early if there is a lot of interest in the job.
Contact Information
For questions about the job, please contact Nargis Patel, Practice Manager, at nargis.patel@nhs.net. For general recruitment inquiries, you can contact the Recruitment Team via kentchft.recruitment@nhs.net, quoting the vacancy reference number. The recruiting manager would be happy to discuss the role and answer any questions you may have about working with us or relocating to the UK.
Supporting Documents
The following supporting documents are available for download: Job Description.pdf (PDF, 461 KB), KCHFT Staff Journey illustration (PDF, 916 KB), and Our Values into Action (DOCX, 150 KB). These documents provide additional information about the role, our organisation, and our values. Reviewing these documents will give you a comprehensive understanding of the position and what we expect from our employees.
Privacy Notice
Please be aware that all information you supply on your application should, to the best of your knowledge, be true and accurate. For information on how we handle your personal data, please refer to Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust’s privacy notice available on our website. We are committed to protecting your data and ensuring it is handled in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Frequently Asked Questions
International applicants often have questions about working in the UK NHS. Common questions include visa requirements, the recognition of overseas qualifications, and the process for obtaining GDC registration. While we can provide guidance, specific advice on individual circumstances should be sought from official sources such as the UK Visas and Immigration website or the General Dental Council. Our recruitment team can also assist with general inquiries about the application process and what to expect when relocating to the UK for work.
Living and Working in London
London offers a vibrant multicultural environment with excellent transport links, world-class healthcare, and diverse cultural opportunities. As an employee of the NHS, you will have access to staff discounts on transport, leisure activities, and retail. The Inner London High Cost Area Allowance included in your salary helps offset the higher cost of living in the capital. We understand that relocating to a new country can be challenging, and we are committed to supporting our international staff through their transition, both professionally and personally.
Career Development Opportunities
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust is committed to the ongoing development of our staff. As a dental nurse with us, you will have access to various training programs, professional development opportunities, and career pathways. Whether you wish to specialise in areas such as sedation dentistry, radiography, or pursue further education to advance your career, we support your ambitions and provide the necessary resources to help you achieve your goals. Our ‘See where you can go with KCHFT career pathways’ initiative outlines the various progression routes available within our organisation.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. Our guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities ensures that all applicants have a fair opportunity to demonstrate their suitability for the role. We believe that diversity in our workforce leads to better patient care and a richer working environment for everyone.