Dental Dean

The Dental Postgraduate Department and Dental Workforce Dean are responsible for the delivery of continuing professional development education programmes for all qualified dentists and Dental Care Professionals (nurses, hygienists and technicians) in the South West to support continued registration with the GDC; and for the commissioning, delivery and quality management of postgraduate training programmes for dentists undertaking foundation, core and specialty training programmes.

The role is key to the regional approach to improving dental services for the population of the region through support and delivery of the dental workforce.

Responsibilities currently cover the NHSE South West geography.

Main duties of the job

Local work will focus firmly upon improvement and the quality of patient and learner safety and experience, and ensuring effective educational outcomes, both now and in the future. In fulfilling the remit of Postgraduate Dental Dean, the post holder will be accountable for the range of responsibilities that underpin the planning/delivery of dental education and training aligned with national policies.

The Dental Dean will work as a member of the WTE Regional Senior Clinical Leadership Team providing expert advice on dental matters at regional level.

They will ensure delivery of the dental aspects of the WTE mandate and national dental workforce strategy through local initiatives and programmes and provide leadership and direction with respect to the quality of dental education and training of the healthcare workforce.

About us

The NHS England board have set out the top-level purpose for the new organisation to lead the NHS in England to deliver high-quality services for all, which will inform the detailed design work and we will achieve this purpose by:

• Enabling local systems and providers to improve the health of their people and patients and reduce health inequalities.
• Making the NHS a great place to work, where our people can make a difference and achieve their potential.
• Working collaboratively to ensure our healthcare workforce has the right knowledge, skills, values and behaviours to deliver accessible, compassionate care
• Optimising the use of digital technology, research, and innovation
• Delivering value for money.

If you would like to know more or require further information, please visithttps://www.england.nhs.uk/.

Colleagues with a contractual office base are expected to spend, on average, at least 40% of their time working in-person.

If you are successful at interview, we will run an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) in the Electronic Staff Record system (ESR). This transfer gathers valuable information from a previous or current NHS employer to support the onboarding process, including; statutory and mandatory competency status, Continuous Service Dates (CSD), and annual leave entitlement. You will have the opportunity throughout the recruitment process to inform us if you do not consent.

Details

Date posted

12 October 2026

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Doctor - other

Salary

£140,011 a year

pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

5 months

Working pattern

Part-time,

Job share,

Flexible working

Reference number

990-SW-EC5612-E

Job locations

Any South West NHSE Office

Taunton, Bristol or Plymouth

TA12PX

United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

The Regional Postgraduate Dental Dean will be responsible for implementing the national strategy for postgraduate dental education and training across their WTE Regional Dental Deanery. With statutory responsibilities in relation to:

• Dental Foundation Training

• Dental Specialist Lists

• There are additional expectations of Postgraduate Dental Deans explicit in the delivery of health care regulation by The General Dental Council, Department of Health, and NHS England.

The role will involve close liaison and negotiation Local Dental Network Chair and Regional NHS E Dental Commissioners, Regional PHE and LGA and Regional CQC, all dental education and training providers in the Deanery catchment area; including NHS Hospital and Community Trusts, University Dental Schools, regional representative groups of the Dental Faculties of Medical Royal Colleges and The Faculty of General Dental Practice, Local British Dental Association groups, Higher Education colleges, and private/corporate health care providers.

You can find further details about the role, including key responsibilities and accountabilities, alongside the organisational structure and person specification in the attached Job Description and other supporting documents.

Secondments

Applicants from within the NHS will be offered on a secondment basis only, agreement should be obtained from their employer prior to submitting the application.

Job responsibilities

The Regional Postgraduate Dental Dean will be responsible for implementing the national strategy for postgraduate dental education and training across their WTE Regional Dental Deanery. With statutory responsibilities in relation to:

• Dental Foundation Training

• Dental Specialist Lists

• There are additional expectations of Postgraduate Dental Deans explicit in the delivery of health care regulation by The General Dental Council, Department of Health, and NHS England.

The role will involve close liaison and negotiation Local Dental Network Chair and Regional NHS E Dental Commissioners, Regional PHE and LGA and Regional CQC, all dental education and training providers in the Deanery catchment area; including NHS Hospital and Community Trusts, University Dental Schools, regional representative groups of the Dental Faculties of Medical Royal Colleges and The Faculty of General Dental Practice, Local British Dental Association groups, Higher Education colleges, and private/corporate health care providers.

You can find further details about the role, including key responsibilities and accountabilities, alongside the organisational structure and person specification in the attached Job Description and other supporting documents.

Secondments

Applicants from within the NHS will be offered on a secondment basis only, agreement should be obtained from their employer prior to submitting the application.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Primary Dental qualification
• Registered with General Dental Council

Desirable

• A higher diploma/degree in medical/dental education

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Senior clinical leadership role
• Evidence of being able to manage a team to effectively deliver programmes
• Evidence of working at a strategic level within healthcare

Desirable

• Understanding of financial systems
• Management of professional standards concerns
• Clear understanding of dental professional training

Attitudes and Behaviours

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate excellent communication skills with colleagues and stakeholders
• Ability to clearly demonstrate a commitment to fairness and equity of access for all

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Primary Dental qualification
• Registered with General Dental Council

Desirable

• A higher diploma/degree in medical/dental education

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Senior clinical leadership role
• Evidence of being able to manage a team to effectively deliver programmes
• Evidence of working at a strategic level within healthcare

Desirable

• Understanding of financial systems
• Management of professional standards concerns
• Clear understanding of dental professional training

Attitudes and Behaviours

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate excellent communication skills with colleagues and stakeholders
• Ability to clearly demonstrate a commitment to fairness and equity of access for all

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

NHS Careers website .

Additional information

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

NHS Careers website .

Employer details

Employer name

NHS England

Address

Any South West NHSE Office

Taunton, Bristol or Plymouth

TA12PX

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/working-for/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

NHS England

Address

Any South West NHSE Office

Taunton, Bristol or Plymouth

TA12PX

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/working-for/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job responsibilities

The Regional Postgraduate Dental Dean will be responsible for implementing the national strategy for postgraduate dental education and training across their WTE Regional Dental Deanery. With statutory responsibilities in relation to:

• Dental Foundation Training

• Dental Specialist Lists

• There are additional expectations of Postgraduate Dental Deans explicit in the delivery of health care regulation by The General Dental Council, Department of Health, and NHS England.

The role will involve close liaison and negotiation Local Dental Network Chair and Regional NHS E Dental Commissioners, Regional PHE and LGA and Regional CQC, all dental education and training providers in the Deanery catchment area; including NHS Hospital and Community Trusts, University Dental Schools, regional representative groups of the Dental Faculties of Medical Royal Colleges and The Faculty of General Dental Practice, Local British Dental Association groups, Higher Education colleges, and private/corporate health care providers.

You can find further details about the role, including key responsibilities and accountabilities, alongside the organisational structure and person specification in the attached Job Description and other supporting documents.

Secondments

Applicants from within the NHS will be offered on a secondment basis only, agreement should be obtained from their employer prior to submitting the application.

Qualifications

Essential

• Primary Dental qualification
• Registered with General Dental Council

Desirable

• A higher diploma/degree in medical/dental education

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Senior clinical leadership role
• Evidence of being able to manage a team to effectively deliver programmes
• Evidence of working at a strategic level within healthcare

Desirable

• Understanding of financial systems
• Management of professional standards concerns
• Clear understanding of dental professional training

Attitudes and Behaviours

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate excellent communication skills with colleagues and stakeholders
• Ability to clearly demonstrate a commitment to fairness and equity of access for all