Specialist Paediatric Dentist Officer

Job summary

The post holder will be expected to lead the Specialist Paediatric Dentistry service for Blackpool Teaching Hospitals. They will provide a full range of paediatric dental services to those patients referred to the Specialist Dental Service requiring the skills of a dentist working to Specialist level.

The post is based at Morecambe Dental Access Centre, but care is delivered across all Blackpool Teaching Hospitals dental sites. Flexibility is required, and it is expected that the clinician will work at any clinic location in line with service needs.

Main duties of the job

Deliver specialist-level dental care to children and young people referred to the service. This includes providing a full range of paediatric dental treatments under local anaesthesia, sedation and day case general anaesthesia, including for patients with complex physical, sensory, intellectual, emotional, medical or social needs. The role also involves leading on dental trauma within the service, supporting service development, and ensuring high standards of patient care across all dental sites in line with service needs. In addition, the post holder will work collaboratively with clinical, managerial and external colleagues, including hospital teams and general dental practitioners, to improve access and continuity of care. They will provide supervision, teaching and mentorship to the wider dental team, contribute to audit, governance, quality improvement and pathway development, and maintain up-to-date specialist knowledge through continuous professional development, peer review and appraisal.

About us

Working for Blackpool Teaching Hospitals means supporting a patient-centred organisation committed to safe, high-quality care. Staff are expected to uphold Trust values, work collaboratively, maintain professional standards, and follow key requirements including confidentiality, safeguarding, equality, health and safety, mandatory training, and flexible working. All employees contribute to the Trust's wider goals and continuous improvement.

Job responsibilities

The post holder will provide high-quality specialist dental care for patients with complex needs, including those requiring special care dentistry, conscious sedation, domiciliary care, and treatment under general anaesthesia where appropriate. They will be responsible for the assessment, planning, delivery, and evaluation of safe, effective, and patient-centred care across a range of clinical environments. The role includes providing clinical leadership within the dental service, supporting the delivery of care across multiple sites, and contributing to service development in line with NHS standards, professional guidance, and organisational policies. The post holder will maintain accurate clinical records, manage risk appropriately, and work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, patients, carers, and partner agencies. They will also contribute to audit, quality improvement, teaching, and continuing professional development to support the ongoing delivery of responsive, high-quality community dental services.

Person specification

Education & Qualification

Essential

• BDS Or equivalent qualification
• Relevant postgraduate qualification in special care dentistry
• Dental indemnity insurance
• Included on performers list without restriction
• On the specialist register of the general dental council

Knowledge

Essential

• Good team leader
• Clear and effective communicator
• Effective planner organiser
• IT skills
• Experience of leading and providing dental treatments under sedation and general anaesthesia
• Clinical leadership experience in dentistry
• Knowledge of NHS PDS regulations

Experience

Essential

• Broad based professional background
• Evidence of continual professional development both general and role specific
• Experience of providing special care dentistry and conscious sedation within a primary care setting
• Evidence of providing domiciliary care in a variety of outreach settings
• Evidence of providing both urgent and routine care on a regular basis
• Evidence of clinical unknown clinical leadership and management skills

Personal

Essential

• Personable
• Kind and caring
• Calm
• Approachable
• Responsible
• Good communication skills
• Team Leader