Specialist in Special Care Dentistry

at  Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust

We are looking for an enthusiastic, highly motivated and experienced person for the post of Specialist in Special Care Dentistry. You will be based at Kidlington Dental Clinic and work across Oxfordshire Community Dental Service to lead on the delivery of dental care to Special care patients including provision of treatment under sedation and general anaesthesia. You will provide clinical leadership in Special Care Dentistry including the development of relevant protocols and the training and mentoring of staff.
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate clinical leadership within an NHS setting. Candidates will have drive and enthusiasm for service development and improvement to include the teaching and supervision of staff.
Applicants must also have an NHS performer number, be on an Appropriate Performers List or eligible to apply.
The post holder will be required to be on the GDC specialist list for Special Care Dentistry.
The post holder will be employed by Oxfordshire Community Dental Service (OCDS), part of Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (OHFT) and will provide dental care to special care adults using a variety of treamtent modalities including inhalation and intravenous sedation, general anaesthetic, and domiciliary care.
The post holder will be expected to provide oral health care to these special care groups that may include people with learning difficulties, physical disabilities, severe mental health illnesses and the severely medically compromised. The post holder will be proficient in diagnosis, treatment plans, consent and treatment as appropriate for special care patients referred to the service. The post holder will be expected to lead on the provision of care, training and supervision for special care, travelling throughout Thames Valley when required. The post holder may also assist in the planning and clinical leadership of the Oxfordshire Community Dental Service.
The post-holder will be expected to liaise with colleagues in OHFT, local General Dental Practitioners (GDPs) and other health and social care professionals as appropriate.
Candidates will be expected to hold the Bachelor in Dental Surgery qualification or equivalent, hold a relevant postgraduate qualification and have full GDC registration.
Benefits of working for Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust include:
Excellent opportunities for career progression
27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, with an increase to 32 days with continuous service
NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
Staff accommodation
Competitive pension scheme
Lease car scheme
Cycle to work scheme
You must be in possession of (or demonstrate eligibility for) a CCST in Special Care Dentistry and be on the GDC specialist list for Special care Dentistry, or eligible for entry within six months of the date of interview.

Clinical Duties
To manage and lead the service in providing efficient and effective for adult special care patients who meet the service acceptance criteria.
To provide appropriate triage of referrals and communication to referring practitioners.
To work closely with General Dental Services in providing a seamless referral service and patient centred shared care.
To plan and manage care where there are complex medical co-morbidities.
Liaise with other professionals and/or carers to resolve complex patient management issues according to the criteria and protocols and in line with local commissioning.
To use appropriate patient management approaches to control pain and anxiety during dental treatment, including competent use of sedation in the clinic setting and multi-disciplinary working in the provision of complex sedation and general anaesthesia with the hospital teams.
To provide comprehensive care under sedation (Inhalation, Intravenous and transmucosal) and general anaesthesia.
To provide care on a domiciliary basis.
To provide advice support to staff on management of complex cases.
To be responsible for organising training and resources in support of the availability of sedation and general anaesthesia in all or part of the service and especially with relevance to their specialist area.
To provide clinical advice, support, training and/or supervision to the dental team and assist in the process of raising quality and standards.
Use appropriate medical and patient management approaches to control pain and anxiety during dental treatment.
Provide specialist clinical care in line with the standards for dental specialists as set out by the Royal Colleges.
Maintain knowledge and skills in clinical dentistry and dental specialty to ensure care is provided in accordance with evidence-based practice.
Lead the dental team in the appropriate first line management of medical emergencies, using appropriate techniques, equipment and drugs. In line with GDC and Trust expectations, remain up-to-date with developments in this area and be able to advise and support other members of the clinical team.

Professional Duties

• Communicate with a range of patients and families and user groups on complex clinical issues and/ or in difficult situations.
• Communicate effectively with the clinical team and other healthcare professionals in a proficient and appropriate manner, which inspires confidence, motivation and teamwork.
• Communicate and educates other health and social care professionals on a range of issues relating to oral health and oral health care.
• To have sufficient knowledge, confidence and experience to provide advice and support to colleagues or managers on ethical issues.
• Involved in providing care which requires the application of sound ethical and professional principles in a more complex physical, social or intellectual context
• Demonstrate a professional clinical approach, participates in appraisal, peer review, clinical audit, quality improvement and continuing professional development activities.
• To participate and lead in audits and quality improvement as agreed with Dental Senior Management Team (DSMT).
• To have sufficient knowledge, confidence and experience to appraise others or lead peer review, clinical audit or CPD activities.
• To have sufficient knowledge, confidence and experience to deal professionally with issues of poor performance in members of the dental team.
• Take responsibility for personal development, maintains knowledge and skills in clinical techniques and their application in accordance with the General Dental Council’s requirement for lifelong learning.
• To provide clinical reports on patient care and treatment to referring GDPs
• To provide patients with verbal and written advice to help them make informed decisions on their treatment options.
• To be able to assess capacity, lead and attend best interest meetings, liaise with appropriate parties when required and ensure all consent forms and treatment plans for patients are completed.
• To maintain comprehensive and contemporaneous clinical records within the service electronic dental record system and paper records.
• To complete electronic information on patient treatment as required under the service NHS contract by submitting FP17 claim forms to the Business Service Authority.
• To complete accurate monthly service data information on treatment provision in a timely manner.
• Attend mandatory training as required by the Trust and Dental Department.
• Have a full registration with the General Dental Council including on the relevant specialist list.
• Have undertaken vocational training or be able to demonstrate equivalence.
• Have an NHS Performer number or be eligible to apply for one.
• Hold a registrable dental postgraduate qualification related to their specialist field.
• Have a commitment to high professional standards.
• Be able to travel to work at various Oxford Health sites across the county.

Managerial/Leadership Duties

• Assist the Clinical Dental Director with Clinical Leadership within the services.
• Provide clinical leadership in a changing environment.
• Deputise and provide professional advice in the absence of the Clinical Dental Director.
• Support the leadership of service wide integrated clinical governance.
• Responsible for the management of dental staff and lead appraisals including job planning and personal development
• Have sufficient knowledge and experience of the legislative framework to provide advice or support to other members of the dental team. Understands the legislative framework of specialist registration and the provision of specialist and specialised care.
• Understand the commissioning process and the marketing of clinical services.
• Manage clinical performance, including the quality of care.
• Effectively manages relationships with senior managerial and clinical colleagues.
• Cultivate and fortify external relationships with other dental care professionals, health care professionals and neighbouring Trusts.
• Understand and develop user involvement and engagement.
• Participate regularly in reviewing and ensuring that the service achieves its aims in line with the operational policies and key performance indicators.
• Be involved in the planning and delivery of high quality, clinically effective services which meet the standards for clinical governance. This would include leading on development of policies and procotols related to specialist area and the training and supervision of staff in these areas.
• Ensure staff understand the service and referral protocols.

The above is an outline of the post holder’s duties and responsibilities. It is not intended as an exhaustive list and may change from time to time in order to meet the changing needs of the Trust and the Dental Department