Head Dental Nurse

Job summary

As Head Dental Nurse, you will play a key role in leading and supporting the nursing team at Smilemakers Cosmetic Dental Practice & Referral Centre, a modern 11-surgery private practice and referral centre in Southampton. Working closely with clinicians, the Practice Management Team and Compliance Lead, you will help ensure the smooth running of the clinical environment while maintaining consistently high standards of patient care, clinical governance and compliance.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Dental Nurse ready to take the next step into leadership, or an established senior Dental Nurse looking to develop their career further. You will lead by example, support and develop colleagues, coordinate clinical cover and contribute to the ongoing improvement of practice standards and processes.

Alongside your leadership responsibilities, you will remain clinically involved when required, providing chairside support and acting as a positive role model for the wider nursing team. This is a varied role where your organisation, communication, leadership and clinical skills will make a real difference to both the patient experience and the success of the practice.

Main duties of the job

As Head Dental Nurse, you will provide day-to-day leadership and support to the Dental Nursing team, helping to create a positive, collaborative and high-performing clinical environment. You will work closely with clinicians, the Practice Management Team and Compliance Lead to ensure the practice operates safely, efficiently and to consistently high clinical standards.

You will be responsible for coordinating nurse rotas and ensuring appropriate clinical cover is in place across the practice. You will support the team with daily organisation, monitor clinical tasks and ensure records, logs and relevant documentation are completed accurately and on time.

A key part of your role will be supporting the training, development and induction of new and existing Dental Nurses. You will coach and mentor colleagues, encourage continuous learning and help create an environment where team members feel supported, motivated and confident in their roles.

You will work alongside the Compliance Lead to support clinical audits, maintain CQC standards and ensure compliance actions are followed through effectively. You will also help promote high standards of infection control, clinical governance, health and safety and overall professionalism throughout the practice.

Alongside your leadership responsibilities, you will remain clinically involved when required, providing chairside support across a range of treatments and working closely with clinicians to ensure patients receive outstanding care. You will also support the management of clinical stock and supplies, ensuring appropriate levels are maintained and orders are placed when necessary.

Above all, you will lead by example, championing exceptional patient care, teamwork and professionalism. Your approachable leadership style and commitment to continuous improvement will help shape the nursing team and contribute to the continued success of Smilemakers Cosmetic Dental Practice & Referral Centre.

About us

At Smilemakers, we believe great patient care starts with great people. We invest in our teams, encourage continuous development and create opportunities for our colleagues to progress their careers.

As our Head Dental Nurse, you'll have the opportunity to shape the future of our nursing team, influence clinical standards and play an important role in the continued success of one of the region's leading private dental practices.

Here at Envisage Dental we celebrate collaboration and transparency. We are proud to be an inclusive equal opportunity workplace. We have created a workforce that is reflective of our diverse patient and practice communities, that promotes positivity, and we believe this is critical to our success. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic.

As part of our commitment to closing the Gender Pay Gap and ensuring equal opportunities for all candidates, we do not request or consider salary history at any stage of our recruitment process. Our compensation decisions are based on the requirements of the role, relevant skills and experience, and our commitment to fair and equitable pay.

Job responsibilities

Head Dental Nurse

Smilemakers Cosmetic Dental Practice & Referral Centre Southampton Permanent | Full-Time

Ready to lead, inspire and make a real difference?

At Smilemakers Cosmetic Dental Practice & Referral Centre, we believe exceptional patient care starts with an exceptional team. We're looking for an experienced, motivated and passionate Head Dental Nurse to lead our nursing team and help drive clinical excellence across our modern 11-surgery private practice and referral centre.

This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified Dental Nurse who is ready to take the next step in their career. Working closely with the Practice Management Team and clinicians, you'll play a key role in supporting the day-to-day running of the practice, maintaining the highest clinical standards and creating an environment where both patients and colleagues thrive.

As a busy referral centre offering general dentistry, implants, cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, facial aesthetics, endodontics and hygiene, no two days are the same. You'll lead by example, supporting the clinical team while continuing to provide outstanding patient care.

The Role

As Head Dental Nurse, you'll be responsible for leading and supporting our nursing team, ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the clinical environment and maintaining exceptional standards of patient care and compliance.

Working closely with our clinicians, practice management team and compliance lead, you'll help create a positive, collaborative culture while ensuring the practice operates efficiently and safely. Alongside your leadership responsibilities, you'll remain clinically involved, when required and acting as a role model for the wider team.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys developing others, improving processes and creating an environment where people feel supported, motivated and able to perform at their best.

Working Hours

This is a part-time position working 33 hours per week over four days, working Tuesday – Friday (33 hours per week). Friday availability is essential and forms a key part of this role.

Key Responsibilities

You will support, motivate and mentor the Dental Nursing team, providing day-to-day leadership and fostering a positive, collaborative working environment. You will oversee nurse rotas and ensure appropriate clinical cover is maintained across the practice.

You will ensure daily records, clinical logs and task lists are completed accurately and on time, while working closely with our Compliance Lead to carry out audits, maintain CQC standards and ensure all required actions are completed.

You will support the induction, training and ongoing development of new and existing team members, encouraging continuous learning and helping colleagues reach their full potential.

Working alongside clinicians and the Practice Management Team, you will help ensure the efficient day-to-day operation of the practice, monitor stock levels, support the ordering of clinical supplies and provide chairside assistance across a variety of treatments when required.

Above all, you will lead by example, promoting exceptional patient care, professionalism and high clinical standards throughout the practice.

About You

You will be a qualified GDC Registered Dental Nurse with previous experience in a senior Dental Nurse or leadership role, or someone ready to take the next step in your career.

You will have excellent communication and organisational skills, a positive and approachable leadership style and the ability to motivate, support and develop others. You'll enjoy working collaboratively, be confident managing competing priorities and demonstrate a proactive approach to problem solving.

A strong understanding of CQC standards, compliance and clinical governance is essential, together with a genuine commitment to delivering outstanding patient care and leading by example.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary, dependent on experience
• Free convenient parking
• Fully funded GDC registration and indemnity
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Opportunity to lead and develop a large clinical team
• Modern 11-surgery private practice and referral centre
• Birthday day off
• Company pension
• Employee discount on dental treatment and wellbeing support
• Uniform provided
• Friendly, supportive and collaborative working environment

Why Join Smilemakers?

At Smilemakers, we believe great patient care starts with great people. We invest in our teams, encourage continuous development and create opportunities for our colleagues to progress their careers.

As our Head Dental Nurse, you'll have the opportunity to shape the future of our nursing team, influence clinical standards and play an important role in the continued success of one of the region's leading private dental practices.

If you're an experienced Dental Nurse with a passion for leadership, developing people and delivering exceptional patient care, we'd love to hear from you.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Click "Apply" today and Vicky from our Recruitment Team will be in touch for an informal, confidential chat to discuss the role and answer any questions you may have.

Here at Envisage Dental we celebrate collaboration and transparency. We are proud to be an inclusive equal opportunity workplace. We have created a workforce that is reflective of our diverse patient and practice communities, that promotes positivity, and we believe this is critical to our success. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic.

As part of our commitment to closing the Gender Pay Gap and ensuring equal opportunities for all candidates, we do not request or consider salary history at any stage of our recruitment process. Our compensation decisions are based on the requirements of the role, relevant skills and experience, and our commitment to fair and equitable pay.

ENVDN1

Person specification

We are looking for a qualified GDC Registered Dental Nurse who is passionate about dentistry

Essential

• The successful candidate will be a qualified GDC Registered Dental Nurse with proven experience working within a dental practice. You will have the confidence and ability to lead and support a clinical team while maintaining the highest standards of patient care and professionalism.
• You will demonstrate excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate, coach and develop others. You will be approachable, proactive and capable of building positive working relationships across the practice.
• A strong understanding of CQC standards, cross-infection control, clinical governance and compliance is essential, together with the ability to ensure policies, procedures and daily clinical processes are consistently followed.
• You will be confident managing competing priorities, coordinating workloads and supporting the smooth day-to-day running of a busy clinical environment. You will also be committed to delivering exceptional patient care, maintaining high clinical standards and leading by example.
• The successful candidate must be available to work 33 hours per week over four days, with Friday availability being essential.

Desirable

• Previous experience in a Head Dental Nurse, Lead Dental Nurse or other senior clinical nursing role would be advantageous, although applications from experienced Dental Nurses looking to take the next step into leadership are welcomed.
• Experience working within a private dental practice or specialist referral environment would be beneficial, particularly with exposure to treatments such as implants, cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, endodontics or facial aesthetics.
• An interest in mentoring, coaching and developing colleagues would be highly desirable, along with experience supporting the induction and training of new team members.
• Experience coordinating nurse rotas, managing clinical stock, supporting compliance audits and contributing to the smooth day-to-day running of a practice would also be advantageous.
• A proactive approach to continuous improvement, leadership and team development, together with a commitment to creating a positive, collaborative working environment, would be highly valued.