DENTIST GRADE 1 TO 3 Central Karoo District

This position offers an opportunity for a qualified dentist to deliver essential oral health services across the Central Karoo District, based within the Beaufort West Sub-district under the Primary Health Care Outreach and Support programme. The role is graded at the professional level and includes a non-pensionable rural allowance as part of the overall package, which can be structured to suit individual needs. The successful candidate will work within a district health ecosystem, providing clinical services not only at a fixed facility but also through outreach initiatives, including a wellness bus that serves children and other patients across the region.

Applicants must hold an appropriate qualification that permits registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a Dentist, and must be registered with the HPCSA in that capacity. The required experience varies by grade: entry-level Grade 1 candidates who are South African qualified need no post-registration experience, while foreign-qualified applicants require one year of relevant experience. Grade 2 requires a minimum of seven years of appropriate experience for South African qualified dentists, or eight years for those with foreign qualifications. Grade 3 demands at least twelve years of experience for locally qualified professionals, or thirteen years for foreign qualified applicants. A valid Code B or EB driver's licence is essential, as the role involves regular travel throughout the Central Karoo District.

The core duties involve providing clinical primary and secondary dental treatment to children on the wellness bus, as well as to inpatients and outpatients in designated work areas. The dentist will also offer support to dental clinics across the various sub-districts within the Central Karoo District, delivering a holistic dental service both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team in hospital and primary health care settings. Responsibilities include diagnosing and managing patients appropriately, collecting and submitting daily and monthly data according to departmental protocols, and ensuring the effective and efficient use of resources. This includes facilitating the repair and maintenance of dental equipment, stock taking, and ordering consumables within established norms. The role also requires providing in-service training and skills transfer to colleagues, as well as offering relief duty across the district when a peer is absent.

Candidates should possess strong report writing, clinical documentation, record keeping, and referral writing skills, along with sound verbal and written communication abilities. Good computer literacy in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is expected, as is compliance with National Core Standards and ideal facility or clinic requirements. The ability to manage time well, remain flexible and innovative in responding to diverse client needs, and apply clinical therapeutic skills including assessment, treatment, discharge planning, and follow-up is essential. Notably, candidates who do not yet hold the stipulated registration may still apply, provided they submit proof of application for registration and payment of the prescribed fees before the interview, a concession applicable only to first-time registrants in a specific category. No payment of any kind is required when applying, and appointees should be prepared to render services across institutions within the ecosystem to sustain health service delivery.