R1 Dental Health Support Worker (LC) inEdinburgh inEdinburgh PUBLISHED SAT 18 JAN 2025

NHS

NHS Ayrshire & Arran rbB7s6r

Opportunity to make a positive impact on children's oral health through the Childsmile programme.

Permanent position with term-time hours allowing for a better work-life balance.

Part-time work with pro-rata salary, suitable for those looking for flexible employment.

Supportive work environment with a commitment to reasonable adjustments for disabled and neurodivergent candidates.

Working within a renowned national health service that values diversity and inclusivity.

Part of a dedicated team focused on public health improvement and community service.

Engagement with local communities while promoting national health initiatives funded by the Scottish Government.

NHS Ayrshire & Arran is offering a permanent part-time position as a Dental Health Support Worker for the Childsmile programme within their Oral Health Improvement Department in Edinburgh. The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering national toothbrushing initiatives and other oral health interventions aimed at enhancing children's dental health in Scotland. This role requires a PVG Scheme membership for working with children and includes term-time hours from Monday to Friday.

The position emphasises inclusivity, welcoming applications from diverse backgrounds, and providing support to candidates with disabilities or long-term conditions. As part of NHS Scotland's ongoing adjustments, the standard working week will be reduced from 37.5 to 37 hours starting April 2024, with adjustments for part-time staff accordingly. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply early due to anticipated high interest in the role.

ORAL HEALTH SERVICE – Oral Health Improvement Dept

Dental Health Support Worker (Childsmile)

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work within NHS Lothian’s Oral Health Service, Oral Health Improvement team, as a Dental Health Support Worker (Childsmile) The postholder will deliver national toothbrushing programmes and oral health interventions within the Childsmile programme, which is a national programme funded by the Scottish Government to promote and improve the oral health of children in Scotland.

The post will be permanent with term time hours over Monday – Friday.

For informal enquiries please contact Sheona McMahon, Childsmile Co-ordinator

Please note: As this post is part-time the salary will be pro-rata.

Please note we anticipate a high level of interest in this position and may close the vacancy early once a sufficient amount of applications are received. Therefore, please make sure you complete and submit your application at an early stage

This post requires the post holder to have a PVG Scheme membership/ record. If the post holder is not a current PVG member for the required regulatory group (i.e. child and/or adult) then an application will need to be made to Disclosure Scotland and deemed satisfactory before they can begin in post.

We will fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long-term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.

NHS Scotland is reducing their full-time working week from 37.5 to 37 hours per week from 1 April 2024 but with no change in pay. This reduction will also be applied pro rata for part time staff. This advert and any subsequent offer/contract of employment therefore reflects the new working hours. However, as not all service areas will be able to adopt the 37 hour working week immediately from 1 April 2024, you may be required to work up to an additional 30 minutes per week for a temporary period for which you would be paid until the service you are working in changes rosters or working patterns to accommodate the new reduced working week. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Recruiting Board.

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

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More about the NHS

The National Health Service (NHS) is a cornerstone of healthcare in the United Kingdom, established in 1948 with the simple yet profound principle of providing healthcare to all citizens, free at the point of use. This revolutionary system aimed to ensure that access to medical services would not depend on an individual’s financial situation, a concept that has since become fundamental to British societal values. Learn more...

Useful skills for a R1 Dental Health Support Worker (LC): Click to view

To work as an R1 Dental Health Support Worker (LC) in the UK, you will need a combination of technical skills, interpersonal skills, and specific knowledge related to dental care. Here are some essential skills and qualifications that are typically required:

Essential Skills:

1. Communication Skills:

- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with patients, dentists, and other healthcare professionals.

- Active listening skills to understand patient concerns and provide appropriate information.

2. Interpersonal Skills:

- Ability to build rapport with patients, providing support and reassurance.

- Empathy and patience when dealing with anxious or distressed patients.

3. Organizational Skills:

- Ability to manage time effectively, handle multiple tasks, and prioritize responsibilities in a busy dental practice.

4. Attention to Detail:

- Precision in following protocols and procedures to ensure patient safety and care quality.

- Carefulness in recording patient information accurately.

5. Clinical Skills:

- Basic understanding of dental procedures and terminology.

- Ability to assist in dental treatments and perform tasks such as sterilizing instruments, taking dental impressions, and preparing treatment rooms.

6. Technical Proficiency:

- Familiarity with dental software and technology, including patient record management systems.

- Understanding of infection control protocols and health and safety regulations.

Qualifications and Training:

- Relevant Qualifications: While formal qualifications may not always be mandatory, having a Level 2 or Level 3 qualification in dental nursing or a related field can be advantageous.

- Experience: Previous experience in a healthcare or dental environment can be beneficial. Volunteering or shadowing professionals can provide valuable exposure to the role.

- Continuing Education: Ongoing training and professional development through courses related to dental support and patient care are often recommended.

Additional Attributes:

- Flexibility: Willingness to adapt to changing situations and work under pressure.

- Teamwork: Ability to collaborate with dental teams to provide the best patient care.

- Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to think on your feet and address issues that may arise during dental procedures or patient interactions.