Dentist

About This Role

The Dentist is a key member of the Mene Mai Anō team and contributor to the overall commitment of Kahungunu Executive to provide high quality, clinically and culturally safe, equitable, and responsive dental care services to the Wairoa community.

• Deliver primary oral health care to adults, and support care for adolescents and children when required.
• Provide general dental treatment for medically compromised patients.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary health teams and external providers to ensure continuity of care.
• Maintain a strong patient and whānau-focused approach with emphasis on quality, safety, advocacy, and equitable care.
• Deliver a range of dental treatments aligned with the service’s clinical scope.
• Support and educate clinical staff through mentoring and clinical guidance where appropriate.
• Participate in clinical governance activities including audits, peer review, and quality improvement processes.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and ensure compliance with privacy, infection control, health and safety, and professional standards.
• Provide training and mentorship to dental students and dental therapists in community settings when required.
• Contribute to service sustainability, reporting, research priorities, and data collection activities.
• Engage in ongoing professional development, training, coaching, and annual performance review processes.
• Follow all workplace health and safety procedures, including infection prevention and incident reporting.

Full description of key responsibilties, along with any other section notes here can be found on the attached job description found towards the end of this page.

• Qualified dentist with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery.
• Current NZ Dental Council registration and Annual Practising Certificate (or eligible).
• At least 3 years’ experience practicing across the full adult scope of dentistry.
• Comfortable treating medically compromised patients and working in a community/public health setting.

• Strong time management and organisation skills.
• Able to handle changing priorities and work under pressure.
• Can build systems/processes to keep the service running smoothly.

• Works well in multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Able to mentor/support staff and students.

This is a major part of the role.

They specifically want someone who:

• understands Te Tiriti / Treaty principles,
• respects tikanga Māori,
• can engage appropriately with Māori whānau and community.

• Familiar with Titanium patient management software (or willing to learn).
• Comfortable with Microsoft Office and reporting/documentation.
• Maintains accurate clinical records and confidentiality standards.

• warm and welcoming,
• motivated,
• adaptable,
• respectful,
• honest,
• good problem solver,
• able to manage conflict professionally.

• Experience in community or public health dentistry.
• Confidence treating high-needs or medically compromised patients.
• Strong understanding of Māori health models, tikanga, and whānau-centred care.
• Ability to mentor junior clinicians, students, or dental therapists.
• Experience working in multidisciplinary healthcare environments.
• Quality improvement, audit, governance, or reporting experience.
• Ability to work autonomously in a rural/community setting.
• Adaptability and resilience — because the role sits inside a broad social and health services organisation.
• Familiarity with Titanium software and community dental workflows.

• Warm, friendly, and welcoming
• Highly motivated
• Shows initiative
• Positive attitude with strong problem-solving ability
• Adaptable
• Organised
• Respectful and sensitive to the values and beliefs of others
• Able to work through conflict resolution
• Honest