Chief Dental Officer
New Today
Join to apply for the Chief Dental Officer role at The Scottish Government
1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants
Join to apply for the Chief Dental Officer role at The Scottish Government
This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in influencing, advising and developing the wide range of government policies relevant to dentistry. The post will be offered on a secondment (up to 5 years) based on existing terms and conditions between the Scottish Government and your current employer.
The Chief Dental Officer (CDO) will form an integral part of the Government’s network of senior clinical advisers. This is a vital role in leading the dental profession and supporting the Scottish Government's ongoing development of Oral Health Policy and Dental Reform.
The CDO will be expected to contribute to the wider corporate responsibility of improving health, promoting Realistic Medicine and ensuring the provision of care is safe, effective and patient-centred. The role of CDO also includes the responsibility of being the Deputy Director to lead policy teams across Dentistry and Optometry Division, and contributes to the Service Renewal Framework, a key aspect of cross Directorate Policy.
This post is critical to the delivery of the commitment to further strengthen primary care dental services through targeted investment in the workforce to improve capacity and patient access as set out in the NHS Renewal Plan published in January 2025.
Alongside providing support and advice to the other 3 UK Nations, the CDO provides a core advisory function to colleagues and Ministers whilst having strong links with the General Dental Council.
Responsibilities
- Improve capacity and patient access in the short to medium-term.
- Review existing incentives for rural practices, supporting workforce sustainability across Scotland.
- Liaise with stakeholder groups from across all dental professions shaping strategic development.
- Provide high quality, professional advice to Scottish Ministers and the Director General / Chief Executive of NHS Scotland on all matters pertaining to the portfolio.
- Provide clinical advice and continued representation of the Scottish Government to the British Dental Association.
It is essential that you are a dentist, fully registered with the General Dental Council and meet their ongoing requirements of continuing professional education and development.
Success Profiles
It is essential that you can provide evidence in your application of the professional qualifications and experience required for this role. In addition, candidates applying for roles with the government agencies and public bodies in Scotland are assessed in line with the Success Profiles framework that is used across the Civil Service. This means that as well as evidencing the professional experience and skills you will also be expected to evidence behaviours at the level required for this Senior Civil Service role.
Experience
You should be able to demonstrate significant credibility and standing within the dental profession and a high level of knowledge and understanding of the professional culture and political environment in relation to oral health issues in Scotland.
Behaviours: Level 5
- Leadership
- Developing Self & Others
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
How To Apply
Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1500 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.
If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and individual psychological assessment.
Assessments are scheduled for w/c 8 and 15 September, however this may be subject to change.
About Us
The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.
Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.
We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer.
As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.
Security checks
Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).
You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide.
Working Pattern
The post will be offered on a secondment based on existing terms and conditions between the Scottish Government and your current employer (the successful candidate will continue to be an employee of their current employer).
Our standard hours are 37 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role. From October 2025, the Scottish Government will require staff in hybrid-compatible roles to work in-person 40% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.
Equality Statement
We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.
Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.
Further information
Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.
Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.
Seniority level
Seniority level
Executive
Employment type
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Job function
Health Care ProviderIndustries
Government Administration
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at The Scottish Government by 2x
Sign in to set job alerts for “Dental Officer” roles.
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom 6 days ago
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom 3 days ago
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom 3 days ago
We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
#J-18808-Ljbffr- Location:
- City Of Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
- Salary:
- £150,000 - £200,000
- Job Type:
- FullTime
- Category:
- Bio & Pharmacology & Health