Senior Dental Assistant

New Zealand Government; Lower Hutt; On-site; NZD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora in Lower Hutt is seeking a Senior Dental Therapy Assistant for Naenae Hub Clinic. The role combines leadership and clinical duties within a supportive team, with approximately 30% time on team administration and 70% providing clinical assistance to the Therapist.

You will help with recruitment, mentoring, audits, and hub maintenance, while also delivering patient care and ensuring smooth clinic operations. A collaborative, inclusive culture is valued.

Qualifications

• Current drivers licence.
• Minimum of three years' experience as a Dental Assistant, preferably in a Community Oral Health Service.
• Effective communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Sound knowledge of Microsoft packages.
• Knowledge Working at Health New Zealand.

Responsibilities

• Lead and administer recruitment, mentoring, and audits as part of team leadership.
• Provide clinical and administrative support as a Dental Therapy Assistant.
• Model Health NZ values and foster a positive workplace culture.

Skills

Driver's Licence

Dental Assistant exp

Communication

Interpersonal skills

MS Office

Health NZ experience

Job description

Location: Naenae Hub Clinic (Lower Hutt)Contract: Fixed Term (3 years), Full Time

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is dedicated to serving all NewZealanders. Through integration and collaboration, we're building a health system underpinned by partnership, equity, sustainability, whānau‑centred care, and excellence.

About the Role

Please note that this role is only available for current Health NewZealand / Te Whatu Ora staff. Any non‑Te Whatu Ora applications will be declined.

Senior Dental Therapy Assistants spend (approximately) 30% of their time supporting the Clinical Team Leader in a range of leadership and team administration functions, including recruitment, overseeing mentoring and training of Dental Therapy Assistants, and undertaking audits and reviews. They may be required to act in the Team Leader role when their Team Leader is on leave.

The other (approximately) 70% of their time they work clinically as Dental Therapy Assistants. As Dental Therapy Assistants, the primary purpose of their role is to assist and support the Therapist by providing clinical and administrative support. They are also involved collegially in ensuring the good running, cleaning, and maintenance of the hub.

Senior Dental Therapy Assistants role model Health NewZealand | Te Whatu Ora values, contribute to a positive workplace culture, and encourage others to do the same.

About the Team/Service Location

The Bee Healthy Regional Dental Service provides dental services for children in the greater Wellington region from school and community based dental hub clinics. You will be well supported by our clinical leadership team that includes a Clinical Director, Community Dentists and Advanced Therapists. Our service has Dental Therapy Assistants assisting our therapists on a 1:1 basis.

About you

• Current Drivers Licence
• Minimum of three years' experience as a Dental Assistant, preferably in a Community Oral Health Service.
• Effective Communication Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Sound knowledge of Microsoft packages
• Knowledge Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is "the weaving of wellness". We're dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Health New Zealand are committed to being good employers and honouring our equal employment opportunity obligations.

We embrace diversity and welcome application from all people, including all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and disability. A workforce that is diverse and inclusive means that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We are pro-equity health organisation, with a particular focus on Māori, Pacific Peoples, and the Disability Community.