Dental Therapist Grade 1–3 (Department of Health)
Job Details
- Job Title: Dental Therapist Grade 1–3
- Reference Number: H/D/16/2026
- Post Number: 32/178
- Department: Department of Health
- Location: National District Hospital
Salary: - Grade 1: R413,121 – R472,359 per annum
- Grade 2: R482,499 – R550,389 per annum
- Grade 3: R564,822 – R683,808 per annum
Benefits: 13th Cheque, Housing Allowance and Optional Medical Aid, subject to prescribed requirements.
Enquiries: Dr M Malek – 060 879 7871
Job Description
The Dental Therapist will provide comprehensive oral healthcare services to patients at National District Hospital and other designated healthcare facilities.
The successful candidate will provide emergency dental treatment, perform preventative and restorative dental procedures, manage gum disease, promote oral health within communities and maintain proper infection-control and occupational health and safety standards.
The position also involves maintaining patient records, managing appointments and dental stock, and providing relief services at various clinics, mobile dental units and correctional facilities when required.
Responsibilities
Dental Treatment and Clinical Services
- Provide emergency treatment for oral pain.
- Manage dental sepsis.
- Treat post-extraction complications.
- Perform direct restorations, including fillings.
- Place fissure sealants.
- Perform scaling, root planing and polishing.
- Prevent and treat gum disease.
- Provide appropriate dental care in accordance with professional standards.
Oral Health Education and Promotion
- Conduct oral health education programmes.
- Promote oral health in schools.
- Conduct awareness programmes in community facilities.
- Provide oral health education at public institutions.
- Encourage preventative dental care within communities.
Infection Control and Safety
- Maintain clean and hygienic clinical areas.
- Sterilise dental instruments and equipment.
- Apply universal precautions to prevent cross-infection.
- Comply with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements.
- Maintain appropriate clinical and infection-control standards.
Administration and Stock Management
- Maintain accurate patient clinical records.
- Manage patient bookings and appointments.
- Handle relevant correspondence.
- Monitor and control dental materials and equipment.
- Manage inventory and stock levels.
- Ensure dental equipment and materials are properly maintained and available.
Relief and Outreach Services
- Provide relief dental services at various sub-district clinics.
- Provide services through mobile dental vans.
- Provide dental services at correctional facilities when scheduled.
- Support provincial health department dental programmes as required.
Requirements
Applicants must have:
- A formal tertiary qualification in Dental Therapy that allows registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) in the relevant profession.
Experience Requirements
Grade 1:
- No experience after registration with the HPCSA is required for RSA-qualified employees who completed the required Community Service.
Grade 2:
- Minimum of 10 years’ relevant experience after registration with the HPCSA in the relevant profession for RSA-qualified employees who completed the required Community Service.
Grade 3:
- Minimum of 20 years’ relevant experience after registration with the HPCSA in the relevant profession for RSA-qualified employees who completed the required Community Service.
Knowledge and Skills
Candidates should have:
- Good interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure.
- Willingness to work after hours when required.
- Good organisational skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Computer literacy.
- Relevant Dental Therapist experience.
- Ability to work effectively with patients and healthcare teams.