Dentist - Paediatric Dental Resident

Dental Health Services Victoria; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne (RDHM) is seeking two motivated general dentists to join our Specialist Paediatric Dentistry Team as Paediatric Dental Residents for 2027. This immersive year provides hands-on paediatric experience, including complex cases, theatre sessions, and telehealth, with support from our specialist team.

Ideal candidates will have registration eligibility with AHPRA, experience with children, and a commitment to public health values within a multidisciplinary setting.

Qualifications

• Dental qualification eligible for registration with AHPRA.
• Ability to treat children.
• Ability to work within a large multidisciplinary team.
• Strong communication skills.
• Two years of general dental experience with paediatric exposure preferred.
• Valid Working with Children Check and Police Check.
• Meets vaccination requirements as per Department of Health guidelines.

Skills

Clinical competence

Treat children

Communication skills

Teamwork

Independent practice

Two years general dental experience

Working with Children Check

Police Check

Vaccination requirements

Education

Dental degree eligible for registration (AHPRA)

Job description

Paediatric Dental Resident — Two Positions Available for 2027

Full Time | 12-Month Contract | General Dentist Level 2

Grow your skills. Treat more children and adolescents. Change more lives.

Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne (RDHM) is looking for two motivated general dentists to join our Specialist Paediatric Dentistry Team as Paediatric Dental Residents for the 2027.

This is an immersive, hands-on year designed for dentists who want serious paediatric experience — whether you're after experience before applying for specialist paediatric dentistry training, or you want to offer a genuinely higher level of care to the children and families you treat.

Why this role

This isn't a standard general dentistry job with a few kids' appointments squeezed in. It's a structured, intensive year built around paediatric learning, delivered alongside — and supported by — our specialist paediatric dentistry team.

Across the year you'll get exposure to:

• Clinical care — a broad caseload of specialist level paediatric patients, including children with complex medical, developmental and social backgrounds, managed with specialist support
• Theatre sessions — hands-on experience managing paediatric dental treatment under general anaesthetic
• Telehealth — consulting and triaging patients remotely, a valuable skill for rural and outreach practice
• Clinical administration — supporting the day-to-day running of the Paediatric Dentistry Unit
• Teaching and mentoring — providing professional support and direction to dentists, oral health therapists and dental assistants as your confidence grows

You’ll work within your competency and experience level as defined by DHSV's Credentials and Clinical Privileges Policy, with specialist support always on hand as you extend your scope.

And great Melbourne coffee in every direction.

Where this year can take you

Previous residents in this program have gone on to specialist paediatric dentistry training programs — this role is genuinely recognised as a strong foundation for that pathway.

Equally, if specialist training isn't your goal, this role is ideal preparation for dentists in general practice with high paediatric volume, especially rural and regional practice, where being the most paediatric-confident dentist in town makes a real difference to the families who rely on you. You’ll finish the year able to manage a far wider range of paediatric presentations independently, with the judgement to know when to seek support.

About us

Oral Health Victoria (formerly Dental Health Services Victoria) is the leading public oral health agency in Victoria. We aim to improve the oral health of all Victorians, particularly vulnerable groups, and those most in need. OHV is funded by the State Government to provide clinical dental services to eligible Victorians. As trusted advisors in public oral health policy and program and guideline development, we continue to contribute to improving oral health in our communities.

Our values: Respect | Accountable | Collaboration | Transform

What you'll need

Essential

• Dental qualification eligible for registration as a dentist with AHPRA
• Clinical competence and the ability to work independently, with a clear understanding of your own competency boundaries and when to seek specialist support
• Demonstrated ability to treat children
• Demonstrated ability to work well within a large multidisciplinary team
• Strong communication skills
• Ideally two years of general dental experience since graduation with experience managing children — candidates with one year of experience and strong paediatric exposure will be considered
• A valid Working with Children Check and Police Check
• Meets vaccination requirements as required by Department of Health guidelines

Highly regarded

• Experience or demonstrated knowledge of the public health sector or public health programs
• A demonstrated commitment to public health principles
• Experience managing children with complex medical, special needs or social backgrounds

What we expect from every team member

• A proactive approach to health, safety and wellbeing, including actively identifying risks
• Strict adherence to patient privacy and confidentiality
• Active participation in myDevelopment, with goals set, signed off and reviewed
• Behaviour that reflects the values of the Victorian Public Health Sector and OHV
• A genuine commitment to child safety, equity, inclusion and cultural safety
• Adherence to the OHV Child Safety and Wellbeing Framework, Code of Conduct, and all other child-safe policies and procedures

Applications close 14th November 2026