Dental Assistant - Mid North

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Te Tai Tokerau; Northland; On-site; NZD 47,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Te Tai Tokerau is seeking a Dental Assistant for the Mid North region of Northland on a fixed-term basis. The role supports the oral health therapists, dentists and specialists, focusing on chairside assistance, administration and data recording.

The position emphasises teamwork, patient communication across diverse communities, and involvement in preventive programmes within a community-based service for under-18s.

Qualifications

• Self-motivated and can communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• NZ driver’s licence is required.
• Demonstrated organisational and interpersonal skills.
• Good keyboard and computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide chairside assistance before, during and after dental procedures.
• Assist with administrative and receptionist services.
• Assist with filing, record systems and data entry for statistics.
• Participate in oral health prevention programmes when appropriate.
• Work as part of the team to achieve Northland objectives.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Organisational skills

NZ Driver's Licence

Education

NZDA Dental Assistants Certificate

Job description

Mid North area, Northland. Fixed-term, full-time position (0.91), working 36.25 hours per week Monday Friday. Parental leave cover from October 2026 to October 2027. Training for this role will be provided, experience in one of the most beautiful regions of NewZealand.

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

About the Role

As a Dental Assistant, you will assist the oral health therapist/dental therapist, dentists, and dental specialists in the efficient and effective day to day management of the clinic and patient group.

• Assisting with administrative and receptionist services
• Assisting with filing, record systems and the recording of data for statistical returns, manually and electronically as required
• Provide chairside assistance before, during and after dental operating procedures
• Being involved where appropriate in oral health prevention programmes
• Work as a functional member of the area and achieve Northlands objectives by effective teamwork

Click here to view the position description.

About the Team and Location

Our Oral Health Service is a community-based dental service for children under 18 years of age across the Mid North in the Northland Region. We provide comprehensive oral health care through School, Adolescent, Community and Hospital Dental Services.

For more information on living and working in Northland, click here.

About you

• As a Dental Assistant, you will need be self-motivated and can communicate effectively with people of varying cultural backgrounds in a sensitive manner.
• NZ full Drivers Licence
• Demonstrated organisational and interpersonal skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with people of varying cultural backgrounds in a sensitive manner
• Good keyboard and computer skills
• Candidates that have a NZDA Dental Assistants Certificate or previous experience in administration, dental, or the health sector is desirable, however not essential to apply

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of NewZealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community.

We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.