Assistant Clinical Director (Dentistry)

Are you an experienced and inspirational dentist ready to take the next step in your leadership career? Join Oxfordshire Community Dental Service as our Assistant Clinical Director (Dentistry) and play a pivotal role in shaping high‑quality, patient‑centred dental care across the county. This full‑time role is based at our headquarters in Oxford and gives you the opportunity to combine clinical excellence with strategic leadership.

Responsibilities

• Deputise for the Clinical Director (Dentistry) in leadership and management of the Oxfordshire Community Dental Service across a range of sites and settings.
• Assist with the strategic provision of oral and dental healthcare for the Trust and champion the improvement of health inequalities.
• Assist with managing all clinical dental performers in the service while working in both primary and secondary care, and support the management of contracts and service level agreements including those with secondary care providers such as general anaesthetics and medical physics.
• Maintain an effective senior clinical role and provide clinical sessions for special care and paediatric patients as appropriate.
• Provide professional and clinical advice to colleagues, service users, Boards, Committees and other stakeholders as required.
• Deliver teaching and training to dental staff as required.
• Support and deputise for the Clinical Director in leading and managing the Oxfordshire Community Dental Service across multiple sites, ensuring a safe, effective and high‑quality service.
• Provide specialist clinical care for patients with complex needs, including special care, paediatric and urgent care patients, while providing expert clinical advice.
• Lead and develop the workforce – manage staff, appraisals, job planning, performance management, teaching, training and support the professional development of dental teams.
• Drive clinical governance and service improvement – lead integrated governance, oversee quality assurance and clinical performance, ensure compliance with operational policies and KPIs, and contribute to the planning and delivery of high‑quality, clinically effective services.
• Build partnerships and influence service development – work collaboratively with commissioners, secondary care providers and other stakeholders to support service planning, contract management, reduce health inequalities and improve patient outcomes across the county.

Qualifications

• Experience in treating a broad range of patients.
• Experience of CDS, GDS or HDS.
• Experience of staff management.
• Experience of teaching or supervising staff (therapists, dental officers, DCTs).
• Relevant experience in clinical governance, quality assurance and audit.
• Experience of complaints and concerns management.
• Have an NHS performer number (required for Trust dentistry services).
• Have an enhanced DBS certificate for working with children and vulnerable adults.
• Hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle.
• Ability to travel independently between sites within the Trust and to multiple sites.
• Able to work flexibly and willing to work out of hours.
• Knowledge of the wider dental agenda, primary care dental services commissioning and clinical governance agenda.
• Political awareness, excellent communication skills, excellent team working and visible leadership.
• Open and inclusive attitude, good time‑keeping and deadline skills.
• Involvement in staff training and development, organisational and workload prioritisation skills.