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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Oral Health Education

Dental Nurses with a suitable qualification in Oral Health Education will be required to communicate condition related oral hygiene information on referral from a dentist as part of a patient’s treatment plan. This may include Acclimatisation Sessions and Tooth Brushing Instruction as prescribed by the dentist and delivered by Dental Nurses.

Liaising with the Oral Health Promotion Team to plan and organise Oral Health material and displays at dental clinics, providing information to other health professionals and members of the general public.

It is a requirement that the dental nurse is regularly involved and maintains a portfolio of work undertaken in promoting oral health she will also be required to attend regular update courses to ensure that her knowledge of the subject and regulations is complete.

General Anaesthetic (GA) Pre-Assessment Clinics

Dental Nurses to support in the running of the Pre-Assessment GA Clinic, ensuring all documentation is completed, patient information is delivered and patient notes are maintained, as specified in the departmental procedure.

Domiciliary

Dental Nurses to support in the running of the Domiciliary Clinic, including visits to house bound patients at home or in residential setting, ensuring all documentation is completed, patient information is delivered and patient notes are maintained, as specified in the departmental procedure.

Radiography

Dental Nurses with suitable qualification in Dental Radiography, acting as an unsupervised radiographic operator, will take x-rays on clinician prescription referral from a dentist as part of a patient’s treatment plan.

To check the justification for taking radiographs, as prescribed by the dentist as he or she is responsible for the dose to the patient. 

To ensure correct patient identification, check all safety issues and standards have been followed in accordance with both the radiation protection file and IR(ME)R 2018 regulations.

It is a requirement that the dental nurse regularly takes radiographs and maintains a portfolio of all work undertaken and must attend regular update courses to ensure that her knowledge of the subject and regulations is complete.

Sedation: Intravenous (IV) & Relative Analgesia (RA)

Dental Nurses with suitable training in sedation and additional Immediate Life Support training (in line with national guidelines), will assist the dentist in providing care under RA and IV sedation. An NEBDN qualification in conscious sedation is required to assist with IV and RA Sedation.

To support the Clinician in minimising anxiety for patients during dental care under sedation.

To support the Clinician by clinically monitoring the patient for vital signs.

To ensure that equipment checks are carried out prior to sedation sessions, raising any concerns with the appropriate person in a timely manner.

Topical Fluoride Application

Dental Nurses with a suitable qualification and training will apply Topical Fluoride as prescribed by a dentist, in both supervised and unsupervised settings.

Take responsibility for checking the patient is suitable for the procedure on the day that they attend; this will include reviewing the medical history and discussing any concerns or changes with a senior staff member.

In unsupervised settings, the dental nurse will be required to manage any medical emergencies that arise, keeping within the scope of practice appropriate to their role, as defined within the departmental SOP ‘Application of Topical Fluoride’.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Dental Nurses with suitable training will work under supervision to organise and assist in the management of anxious, dental phobic patients.

Link Nurse Infection Control

Dental Nurses with suitable training will work under the supervision of the Principal Dental Nurse to:

perform and provide feedback to the team regarding Clinical Audits

represent the department at Trust Decontamination and Infection Prevention Team briefings

Epidemiology

To arrange, organise, co-ordinate and prepare for screening and epidemiology as required. 

Liaise with school administration staff and to arrange sessions convenient to both schools and clinic, to work within a set time scale to complete all follow up paper work, offering appointments to pupils either at the clinic or on the mobile unit.

Asset Register & Stock

Under the direction of the Senior/Principal Dental Nurse, to compile and maintain an asset list and stock inventory list for your designated area.

To support the Senior Dental Nurse to maintain adequate stock levels in clinics.