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Dental Assistant

Job Group

  • Soldier

Job Availability

  • Full Time

The Role

As a Dental Assistant in the NZ Army you will be a member of an oral health team which is responsible for providing dental services to the personnel of the NZ Defence Force (NZDF). The RNZDC is a tri-service Corps because it meets the dental needs of not only the Army, but also the Navy and the Air Force.

The RNZDC provides a full range of comprehensive dental and oral surgical care to our service personnel and the assistant plays an integral role in this team. Your day will vary, so dental assistants need to be highly organised individuals. Patients will rely on you for reassurance so it will be important that you communicate well and enjoy working in the health environment.

Job on Camp

The role of a Dental Assistant in the military is to provide assistance to the Dental Officer during clinical procedures. This can range from simple mouth examinations, to fillings, or to the surgical extraction of teeth during complex oral surgical procedures.

You will be responsible for preparing the surgery for each procedure, maintaining the surgery equipment and applying detailed cross infection control procedures.

Job on Deployment

You could find yourself working on a ship, or even on deployment to places such as the Cook Islands, Afghanistan or Timor-Leste.

Career Progression

Well performing Dental Assistants may be given the opportunity to train as a Dental Hygienist or Dental Technician.

Pay & Benefit Details

The minimum remuneration you will be paid from your enlistment is $35,694. Your remuneration will increase upon graduation of your recruit course to $42,487 and will continue to increase on promotion and seniority.

General Requirements

  • You must be at least 17 years of age

  • You must be a NZ citizen (some exceptions apply)

  • You must be of good character – assessed by a study of testimonials and a police record check.

Educational Requirements

  • A proven ability in English, Maths and Science (preferably Biology) at NCEA level 2 (12 credits per subject)

Fitness Requirements

  • You must be medically fit for service
     

Training

Basic Training

Upon successful enlistment into the Army you’ll be posted to Waiouru Army base. Here you will do 16 weeks of basic military training to find out if you have got what it takes to be in the Army, and learn various subjects including:

  • Organisation and Administration

  • Army Customs and Protocol

  • Drill and Parades

  • Military Field Skills and Weapon Training

  • First Aid

  • Physical Fitness

Job Training

Soon after completing your recruit training you will be required to attend the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment Corps Training Course. On this course you will learn military and logistics skills necessary for your role in a field setting.

Ongoing Training

The first trade course you will attend is the Basic Dental Course. This course is three weeks long and teaches Dental Assistants how to assist a Dental Officer with all clinical procedures from fillings to oral surgery.

Location Details

As this is a tri-service Corps, you will have a wide range of possible postings. You could be posted to an Air Force, Army, or Navy base.  These are located throughout New Zealand.