Dental Assistant Recruitment

Background

SA Dental Service is a health unit within the Central Adelaide Local Health Network. We provide population health based dental services for children and eligible adults through clinics across South Australia in metropolitan and country areas.

Some clinics are located in hospitals or community health centres whilst others are located in school grounds or are discrete dental facilities. We also work in partnership with the University of Adelaide to educate and train many of the State’s dental professionals.

The Service consists of 2 clinical Divisions:

Statewide Dental Service

Provides dental services in the metropolitan and country areas of South Australia and is another key contributor to undergraduate dental students. The Division has two branches:

  1. School Dental Service - all South Australian children (aged up to 18 years) are eligible

  2.  Community Dental Service - provides eligible adults with a range of general, emergency and removable prosthetic dental services. Adults (or their adult dependents) with a current welfare recipient card are eligible to receive Community Dental Clinic services.

Adelaide Dental Hospital (ADH)

Is a provider of specialist services and a centre for undergraduate dental education in South Australia in conjunction with the University of Adelaide.

Dental Assistant positions

Dental Assistants in SA Dental Service are classified under the SA Health “Operational Services” (OPS) stream.

The classification levels for Dental Assistants positions are at the OPS1, OPS2 and OPS3 levels. Within each classification level there are a number of salary increments.

  • OPS 1 & 2 level positions are general DA positions (more responsibility involved with the OPS 2 level positions).
  • OPS Level 3 positions are Senior Dental Assistant roles which have responsibility for staff supervision and running of clinics in the organisation in addition to general responsibilities.
    increment level.

The relevant increment for other candidates is determined having regard to the classification level of the position and the experience/skills of the dental assistant.

Recruitment

SA Dental Service conducts recruitment campaigns for experienced Dental Assistants multiple times per year depending on staffing requirements, for the DA Candidate pool and the DA Casual Pool.

The recruitment process aims to find suitable candidates for permanent and contract DA roles at the OPS1 and OPS2 level for the DA Candidate Pool as well as candidates interested in casual DA work.

Refer to the information on page 5 for information on the SA Health “Job Alert” system to keep updated on the release of any Dental Assistant adverts.

The Recruitment Process

Step 1 – Lodge Application

Step 2 – Reference checks

Step 3 – Written and practical testing

Step 4 – Interviews

Step 5 – Outcome:

  •  Successful

  •  Not Successful

For more information on this process see our Dental Assistant Recruitment information sheet (PDF 250KB).

Pre-employment

Successful applicants will be sent the necessary documentation to complete the two mandatory pre-employment screening checks listed below:

  • Healthcare Worker Immunisation Screening – In addition to immunity to Hepatitis B, documented evidence of immunisations and blood test results for other conditions will be required at this stage to complete the Healthcare worker immunisation screening and gain a clearance to work with SA Dental Service.
  • WWCC Screening Unit check – for Working with Children Screening. National Police Checks are not sufficient to gain employment with SA Dental Service.

If you are unable to achieve clearance in either of these mandatory checks, your application will be deemed unsuccessful.

Once clearances have been confirmed, successful applicants will be added to the DA Candidate pool and/or DA Casual Pools.

When a candidate is offered and accepts a position in one of the pools, arrangements are made for Induction, site orientations and training in Titanium (the SA Dental Service charting, recording and appointing system)

Candidates can apply for any advertised SA Dental Service Dental Assistant promotional positions (generally OPS 2 or OPS 3 level) at any time whilst they are in the Candidate Pool.

Recommended action

To keep updated on DA Selection processes we recommend registering for a “Job Alert” on the SA Health Careers website.

  • When the page is loaded, select the “Job Alert” button on the left-hand side.
  • Enter your email address
  • Keywords: Dental Assistant
  • Tick the following items to ensure that all dental advertisements are drawn to your attention:

  • - Categories: Select All

  • - Locations: Select All

  • - Work Type: Select All

The job alert will last 90 days, and the details can be updated if required.

As positions are advertised, registered users will be sent an email to your nominated email address which will then provide information of the positions available and will usually provide a link to the position’s online application form.