Specialist in Paediatric Dentistry Band C in Bexley

The Specialist in Paediatric Dentistry is a senior clinician within the Community Dental Service, responsible for providing high-quality, evidence-based dental care for children and young people with complex oral health needs, behavioural challenges, medical conditions, disabilities and dental trauma.

The postholder will provide specialist assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and clinical management across a range of settings, including dental clinics, schools, domiciliary visits where appropriate and hospital environments. A key component of the role is regular participation in the weekly Paediatric General Anaesthesia service, including patient assessment, multidisciplinary treatment planning, provision of dental treatment under general anaesthesia and post-operative care.

The postholder will also provide dental care using behavioural management techniques, inhalation sedation and intravenous conscious sedation where appropriate. As part of the multidisciplinary team, the postholder will provide specialist advice and support to colleagues, manage referrals for complex paediatric 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 wider dental team.

Main duties of the job:

• Provide specialist assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and dental care for children and young people with complex oral health needs.
• Deliver specialist dental care in community clinics, schools, domiciliary settings where appropriate and hospital environments, including treatment under inhalation sedation, intravenous conscious sedation and general anaesthesia.
• Assess and manage children with dental trauma, developmental dental anomalies, significant dental anxiety, complex medical conditions and disabilities.
• Provide specialist advice, support and clinical guidance to colleagues and accept referrals for complex paediatric cases.
• Contribute to teaching, educational supervision and the professional development of dentists, trainees and other members of the dental team.
• Support the Clinical Director in the delivery and continuous improvement of the Paediatric Dentistry service through clinical governance, safeguarding, audit, quality improvement, guideline development and service evaluation.
• Work collaboratively with paediatricians, GPs, health visitors, school nursing teams, social care, education services and other healthcare professionals to deliver integrated, child-centred care.
• Maintain the highest standards of clinical practice, professionalism and record keeping in accordance with GDC Standards, national guidance and Bromley Healthcare policies.

Qualifications:

• BDS or equivalent dental qualification recognised by the General Dental Council (GDC), with full GDC registration.
• Current registration on the GDC Specialist List in Paediatric Dentistry (or eligible for inclusion at the time of appointment) and Tri-Collegiate Membership in Paediatric Dentistry (MPaedDent) or equivalent recognised specialist qualification.
• Hold a current NHS Dental Performer Number and demonstrate evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) relevant to Paediatric Dentistry.

Skills:

• Demonstrable ability to assess, diagnose, treatment plan and manage children and young people with complex oral health needs, including behavioural challenges, medical conditions, disabilities, dental trauma and developmental dental anomalies.
• Advanced clinical skills in behavioural management, inhalation sedation, intravenous conscious sedation and treatment planning for general anaesthesia.
• Excellent communication, clinical decision-making and organisational skills, with the ability to provide specialist advice and support to colleagues, children, parents, carers and members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Sound knowledge of safeguarding legislation and procedures relating to children and young people, with the ability to identify, manage and escalate safeguarding concerns appropriately and provide advice to colleagues.

Personal Qualities:

• Enthusiastic, motivated and committed to delivering high-quality, child-centred care, demonstrating professionalism, integrity and discretion in all interactions.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage a demanding workload, prioritise effectively and build positive relationships with children, families, carers, colleagues and partner organisations.
• Demonstrates resilience, adaptability and a collaborative, solutions-focused approach, working effectively with the Clinical Director and multidisciplinary colleagues to support service objectives, quality improvement and organisational priorities.

Other:

• Able to travel independently and efficiently between multiple Bromley Healthcare sites, schools, hospital settings and community locations to meet the operational requirements of the role.
• Willing to work flexibly across Bromley Healthcare sites and participate in the weekly Paediatric General Anaesthesia service in accordance with the needs of the service.
• Demonstrates a commitment to Bromley Healthcare values and to delivering safe, high-quality, patient-centred care.