What is a Dental DBS check?
A DBS check is a criminal record check, previously known as a CRB check, which may sound more familiar.
Employers carry out a DBS check to check any current or previous cautions, convictions, warnings, or reprimands that you may have which could affect your suitability for a job role.
Do not worry though as having something on a DBS form will not necessarily mean you are prevented from getting the job.
If your job role involves working with vulnerable people such as a dental nurse or other roles working with children, disabled people, or vulnerable adults, you will need a DBS certificate to prove that you haven’t committed any serious crimes.
Dental DBS checks: Basic or Enhanced?
To work clinically (in surgery) in dentistry all professionals are required to hold an enhanced DBS check. This includes dentists, hygienists, therapists, and dental nurses.
CQC guidelines state that DBS certificates should ideally be updated every 3 years.
If you are moving to a new job, a new employer will complete a new DBS check for their company, even if your last one was completed within the 3-year timescale.
What documents do I need to apply?
To apply for a DBS check we would need to have copies of the following:
- Valid Passport
- Valid Driving Licence
- National Insurance Number
- Scottish vetting and barring number (if you hold one)
- Proof of address (2 would be required, such as bank statements and utility bills)
Other information required:
- Full current name
- Any previous known by names (such as maiden names)
- Date of birth
- Town and country of birth
- Current and past addresses covering a full 5-year history. (For any country lived in)
How do I apply for a DBS check?
To complete a DBS check you can visit our website www.cavitydbs.co.uk where you can complete the application form and attach copies of the accompanying documents. You can also download our app ‘Cavity DBS Checks’ and complete the information there.
Once we receive your information, we will complete the DBS application form which will be posted to you to sign. Once we have received the form back signed and the payment, the form gets its final vetting check and sent to DBS for processing.
At this point, a DBS check can take up to 6 weeks to process the forms, but usually 80% come back within 2 weeks. The final DBS certificate will get posted direct to your home address and is the only copy.