Examines and treats diseases of the teeth in pre-school, primary and secondary school children under the general supervision of a dentist.

Provides educational programmes to motivate children, parents and the community in matters relating to oral health; provides fluoride therapy by applying re-mineralising solutions and desensitising agents; removes deposits from teeth; applies non-invasive fissure sealants to teeth; takes impressions of the mouth; takes dental radiographs.

• Works indoors in a clinic usually attached to schools.
• Works as a practitioner dealing directly with children and parents and operates school clinic to provide services.
• Employees will usually work in adequately heated and ventilated spaces.
• Work spaces will be clean and well-maintained and set-up to ensure that hygiene and sterilisation processes of equipment is routinely carried out.
• Employees wear protective clothing, facial masks and gloves to avoid infection.

• The physical demand level is sedentary to light.
• Standing is frequently required at the chair-side to carry out dental procedures.
• Walking is frequently required about the workspace to sterilise and gather equipment and mix cavity filling materials.
• Sitting is occasionally required at an office desk to update records or to talk with patients.
• Stretching and/or twisting movements are occasionally required when examining patients.
• Lifting, pulling or carrying is not required other than when extracting teeth.
• Squatting or crouching movements are not generally required.
• Bending movements are occasionally required to carry out examinations and certain procedures.
• Repetitive hand and finger movements are frequently required for many dental procedures.
• Driving is not required.
• Employees will use office equipment and dental equipment including a specialised chair with attached air or electrically driven drills, manual dental tools, sterilisation, x-ray, injecting equipment and needles. There may also be a requirement to use mirrors.
• Mental skills include technical, diagnostic, problem-solving and communication skills.

An NZQF Bachelor degree or higher qualification. At least five years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1). In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

There are opportunities for flexibility of movement.