Clinical Dental Director, Buckinghamshire Priority Dental Service Milton Keynes

CNWL Buckinghamshire Priority Dental Service (CDS) is looking for a Specialist in Special Care or Paediatric Dentistry to become the next Dental Clinical Director. The Dental Clinical Director will be an experienced dentist on the specialist register for Special Care Dentistry or Paediatric Dentistry. They will combine their role as a clinician with the clinical director role incorporating strategic, operational, advisory and clinical responsibilities. They will have the leadership skills to manage the strategic provision of oral and dental healthcare for the Trust, and to champion the improvement of health inequalities of the population. The Trust are offering a generous relocation allowance as well as a Golden Hello payment for the successful applicant. Interviews will be held week commencing 12-Oct-2026.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be the Clinical Lead for Buckinghamshire Priority Dental Service (BPDS) and will ensure a comprehensive range of oral health care services is provided for priority groups that may include people with disabilities, severe anxiety or phobias. Services include sedation and general anaesthesia, domiciliary care, provision of oral health care to those in local secure settings, screening and epidemiology and oral health promotion. The Clinical Dental Director is a combined service and clinical director role incorporating strategic, operational, advisory and clinical responsibilities.

About us

CNWL Buckinghamshire Priority Dental Service (CDS) provides high quality dental care for a wide spectrum of people who are unable to access care in general dental practice. As part of our core business we provide a comprehensive range of oral health care services for priority groups that may include:

• Adults and children with learning disabilities
• Adults and children with complex unstable or deteriorating medical problems
• Adults and children with diagnosed severe, unstable mental health problems
• Children with severe anxiety and behavioural management problems
• Bariatric patients
• Adults with very severe anxiety

Working for one of the largest NHS Trusts in the UK, with services all over London and in Milton Keynes, Hampshire and Surrey, we can offer full access to a wide range of staff benefits including:

• Salary sacrifice schemes
• Sponsorship for International candidates
• Relocation allowance up to £8000 subject to policy requirement
• Study discounts for staff
• Flexible working
• Interest free loans, season tickets and car parking
• Competitive Bank Rates
• Fitness and Wellbeing

Job responsibilities

The post holder will contribute to directorate, corporate and wider system strategy and planning in conjunction with other Clinical and Service Directors in the Trust. They will also provide professional and clinical advice to Boards and other relevant committees. The Clinical Dental Director will be responsible for managing all the clinical dental performers in CNWL BPDS while they are working in both primary and secondary care. The post holder will contribute to and influence the development of clinical pathways in conjunction with local Managed Clinical Networks, Local Dental Networks, ICB POD leads and other relevant stakeholders. The Clinical Dental Director will be responsible for the management of contracts and service level agreements, including those with secondary care providers e.g. general anaesthetics and medical physics. The Clinical Dental Director will maintain an effective senior clinical role and responsibility appropriate to the post. They will be required to provide clinical sessions for special care and paediatric patients as appropriate. Provide professional leadership of BPDS across Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire. This will involve working with colleagues from other areas, secondary care, Local Dental Committee, Consultant in Dental Public Health. Responsible for devising and leading a strategy to develop integrated primary care dental services. Provide professional dental advice to the complaints and PALs teams regarding the service. Liaise with other relevant groups, including other healthcare colleagues, social, education and voluntary groups in order to promote an understanding of the work of BPDS and improve the delivery of dental care to the groups eligible to be seen by BPDS. Work effectively within the host organisation (CNWL) to ensure organisational targets are achieved.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• BDS or equivalent professional dental qualification
• Full registration with the GDC
• Additional registrable dental postgraduate qualification
• Evidence of commitment to continued professional and personal development
• Hold NHS Performer Number

Desirable

• On relevant GDC Specialist List e.g. Special Care Dentistry
• Management qualification

Experience

Essential

• NHS management experience including role in the primary care setting
• Experience of working in salaried and specialised services
• Experience of working in a variety of dental settings
• Experience of managing budgets & procurement
• Experience of managing and developing personnel including appraisal, performance and recruitment
• Record of success in the planning and management of significant change and innovation with demonstrable results
• Experience of conflict resolution & handling complaints
• Experience of working with clinicians and healthcare workers at a strategic level
• Experience of working with other agencies/groups/voluntary organisations

Desirable

• Experience of producing and analysing financial activity reports

Skills, knowledge, abilities

Essential

• Knowledge of wider dental agenda
• Knowledge of clinical governance agenda
• Excellent communication skills (including presentation and report writing)
• Political awareness
• Good IT skills and information management
• Ability to work in a team and build and sustain partnerships
• Ability to provide leadership and innovation
• Ability to problem solve and achieve sustainable solutions

Disposition/other

Essential

• Have NHS Performer number
• Commitment to high ethical standards
• Enthusiastic, resilient and able to work under pressure
• Hold a full UK driving licence and have use of a car
• Able to work as part of a team
• Professional conduct and appearance
• Willing to work flexible hours

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.