Specialist in Special Dental Care

The Specialist in Special Care Dentistry is a senior clinician within the CDS, responsible for providing high‑quality, evidence‑based dental care for patients with complex medical, physical, behavioural and social care needs. The postholder will provide specialist assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and clinical management across a range of settings, including community dental clinics, domiciliary visits, residential and nursing homes, and hospital environments where appropriate. This includes the assessment and management of patients requiring conscious sedation and treatment under general anaesthesia. Working as part of the multidisciplinary team, the postholder will provide specialist advice and support to colleagues, manage referrals for complex cases, and contribute to the delivery of safe, effective and patient‑centred care. The role includes educational supervision, teaching and supporting the professional development of the dental team. The successful candidate will demonstrate the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and clinical practice, with a commitment to collaborative working and continuous professional development.

Main duties of the job:

• Contribute to clinical governance, audit, quality improvement and service development, undertaking delegated responsibilities including appraisal, safeguarding and clinical guideline development, while supporting the Clinical Director in the delivery of high‑quality Special Care Dentistry services.
• Provide specialist assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and dental care for patients with complex medical, physical, behavioural and social care needs across community clinics, domiciliary settings, residential and nursing homes, and hospital environments as required.
• Assess and manage patients requiring conscious sedation and treatment under general anaesthesia, including multidisciplinary treatment planning and follow‑up care.
• Provide specialist advice, support and clinical guidance to colleagues in the management of patients with complex special care needs.
• Contribute to the education, supervision and professional development of dentists, trainees and other members of the dental team, including acting as the named educational supervisor where appropriate.
• Support the Clinical Director in the delivery and continuous improvement of the Special Care Dentistry service through clinical governance, audit, quality improvement, safeguarding, guideline development and service evaluation.

Working for our organisation Bromley Healthcare offers extensive services ranging from community nursing to specialist nursing care, and therapy services for individuals across various age groups. Compensation is contingent upon NHS experience and current banding/pay point. Benefits include pension schemes, discounted gym memberships, cycle‑to‑work scheme, access to home furnishings and electronics, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), high‑street retailer discounts, Blue Light Card eligibility, low‑interest personal loans, and an excellent lease car scheme. We continually strive to enhance our employee benefits.

Person specification:

• Qualifications: Full registration with the General Dental Council (GDC). BDS or equivalent recognised dental qualification. Tri‑Collegiate Membership in Special Care Dentistry (MSpecialCareDent) or equivalent recognised specialist qualification. Inclusion on the GDC Specialist List in Special Care Dentistry. Hold a current NHS Dental Performer Number. Membership or Fellowship of a Royal College relevant to the post. Postgraduate qualifications relevant to conscious sedation, medical education, healthcare management or quality improvement.
• Experience: Demonstrable experience practising at Specialist level in Special Care Dentistry, managing patients with complex medical, physical, behavioural and social care needs. Experience with assessment, treatment planning and provision of care for patients requiring general anaesthesia, inhalation sedation, intravenous conscious sedation and domiciliary dental care. Experience in clinical governance, audit, quality improvement, multidisciplinary working and providing clinical support, supervision or mentoring to colleagues. Experience providing domiciliary dental care and working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams. Experience working across sectors including CDS. Experience in educational supervision, teaching or postgraduate training. Experience in service development, research, publication or service evaluation.
• Knowledge and Skills: Highly developed specialist knowledge of Special Care Dentistry, underpinned by current evidence‑based practice and national guidance. Comprehensive knowledge of GDC Standards for the Dental Team, safeguarding legislation and current guidance relating to conscious sedation and general anaesthesia. Excellent communication, clinical decision‑making, organisational and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to provide specialist advice and support to colleagues. Knowledge of Community Dental Services, NHS commissioning and current healthcare priorities. Awareness of oral health inequalities, prevention strategies and the wider public health agenda. Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion and their application to patient‑centred care and service delivery.
• Other Requirements: Able to travel independently and efficiently between multiple clinical sites, domiciliary settings and community locations to meet operational requirements. Willing to work flexibly across Bromley Healthcare sites and adapt to changing needs of the service. Demonstrates professionalism, integrity and a commitment to collaborative working in accordance with Bromley Healthcare values. Active participation in regional or national Special Care Dentistry networks, professional groups or specialist societies. Evidence of contributing to the wider development of the profession through teaching, mentoring, research or professional activities.

We are dedicated to caring for our service users and their loved ones, as well as ensuring the wellbeing of our colleagues. Therefore, we strongly encourage all colleagues to be vaccinated against COVID‑19. Salary is determined by NHS experience and current banding/pay point. External applicants will begin at the entry point of the salary scale in line with NHS terms and conditions. We are fully committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture where all colleagues feel supported, nurtured and celebrated. BAME representation, especially at senior levels, is a key focus. We welcome applicants with a disability and will support reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process. We understand the importance of balancing work and life, so we offer flexible working options from day one: Compressed hours, Part‑time, Job shares. We encourage you to discuss flexible working with your hiring manager. All offers of new employment with Bromley Healthcare are subject to a three‑month probationary period.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and will require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) submission.