Self-Employed Dental Hygienist/Dental Therapist in Saltash

Escape the ordinary and experience the exceptional in Cornwall, one of the UK's most beautiful and inspiring places to live and work. At Smile Together, we're redefining dentistry. As a certified B Corp and employee-owned Community Interest Company (CIC), we combine clinical excellence with social purpose, investing profits back into services, our people, and the communities we serve. Are you a clinician who is compassionate, community-minded, and motivated to make a positive impact? Then this role is for you.

What You'll Be Doing

• Deliver high-quality preventive, periodontal, and restorative care (if applicable) to a diverse patient population.
• Work as part of a supportive multidisciplinary team committed to reducing oral health inequalities and improving long-term oral health across Cornwall.
• Undertake oral health assessments, including periodontal charting and risk assessment.
• Provide thorough scale and polish treatments and non-surgical periodontal therapy.
• Deliver personalised preventive and oral hygiene advice tailored to individual needs.
• Apply fluoride varnish and fissure sealants as appropriate.

Main duties of the job

• Carry out paediatric preventive and restorative dentistry, including stainless steel crowns on primary teeth (Hall technique where appropriate).
• Extract primary teeth where clinically indicated.
• Provide direct-access assessments, hygiene and periodontal treatments and restorations for adults within GDC scope of practice.
• Take and interpret radiographs within scope.
• Place temporary dressings, re-cement crowns, and carry out emergency care as needed.

What You'll Bring

• Recognised qualification in Dental Hygiene and Therapy (Diploma or BSc), or a Dental Hygiene qualification for those applying for a hygiene-only role.
• Current registration with the General Dental Council (without conditions).
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a compassionate, patient-centred approach.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• A genuine enthusiasm for improving oral health access in Cornwall.

About us

Why Choose Smile Together?

• We're expanding our services, with multiple opportunities across three locations: two private-only practices offering high-quality patient-led care, and one mixed NHS/private clinic supporting a broad range of patient needs.
• Modern, purpose-built surgeries equipped with the latest dental technology.
• The chance to work within a B Corp certified, employee-owned social enterprise with strong values and a commitment to social impact.
• A supportive, inclusive workplace culture that prioritises wellbeing and professional fulfilment.
• Flexible working options and a healthy work-life balance.
• Access to ongoing CPD, training and development opportunities.

Job responsibilities

• Providing private and NHS dental hygiene therapy in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, working alongside dentists to deliver high-quality patient care in accordance with current guidance, including BSP recommendations.
• This role may focus solely on hygiene therapy, supporting overall dental health and preventative care for patients.
• As a Dental Hygienist/Therapist for Smile Together, you must take personal responsibility for understanding and complying with the Standards for Dental Professionals set by the General Dental Council (2013), Smile Together's standards, and all relevant clinical guidance including BSP recommendations.
• You are accountable for maintaining high standards of professional conduct and delivering safe, effective hygiene therapy within both NHS and private settings, in accordance with any requirements set by government, regulatory bodies, licensing agencies, or professional associations governing your practice.
• Providing high-quality private and NHS dental hygiene therapy to adults and children, including preventive treatments, oral health promotion and periodontal care, in accordance with evidence-based guidance such as BSP recommendations, SDCEP and FGDP guidance.
• Delivering care in line with the scope of practice for Dental Hygienists (and therapists) ensuring appropriate assessment, treatment planning and patient education to support long-term oral health.
• Working collaboratively with dentists and wider clinical teams to support integrated patient care, including appropriate referral, prescribing and communication regarding clinical findings.
• Refer patients appropriately to dentists or other professionals when care falls outside scope of practice.
• Provide care under Direct Access in accordance with GDC guidance and local governance arrangements.
• Maintaining meticulous clinical records, adhering to GDC Standards for the Dental Team and all relevant governance, safeguarding and data-protection requirements.
• Actively engaging with Smile Together teams and participating in peer review, clinical audit, planning and development sessions, in-house meetings and quality-improvement initiatives.
• Being responsible for safe working and practice on a day-to-day basis within clinical sites, ensuring compliance with clinical governance, health and safety legislation, infection prevention and control protocols, and reporting accidents, incidents and near misses using the Smile Together incident reporting procedure.
• Supporting the delivery of agreed activity levels and working towards key performance indicators relevant to hygiene therapy and preventative services.
• Maintaining and developing clinical competency and continuing professional development according to agreed training needs via the Smile Together Training portal (Agilio) and external educational providers.
• Developing, maintaining and sharing a personal development plan (PDP) as required by GDC standards.
• Supporting colleagues in the delivery of dental services, contributing to a positive, collaborative and patient-centred environment.
• Working alongside clinical and professional support colleagues to facilitate ongoing organisational development and service improvement.
• Travelling to and working from other locations when required, integrating effectively with local teams to ensure consistent standards of care.
• Contributing to the success of Smile Together by demonstrating professionalism, accountability, and a commitment to high-quality patient care.
• Acting as an ambassador for the company's vision, mission and values, leading by example in behaviour and conduct.
• Maintaining strong IT skills, including effective use of the Patient Management System and digital clinical tools.

Person Specification

• Diploma of Dental Hygiene/Therapist.
• Full registration with the General Dental Council without conditions.
• Disclosure and Barring Service Check.

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.