Dental Assistant

• Located in Tauranga, a vibrant coastal city offering lifestyle balance and natural surroundings
• Full-time position – 1.0 FTE working Monday to Friday
• Build a rewarding career supporting tamariki oral health across schools and community clinics

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 support Dental Therapists and Oral Health Therapists through chairside clinical assistance, infection prevention and control, sterilisation processes, clinical administration, and patient record management. You will play an important role in supporting tamariki and whānau throughout their dental experience while contributing to the smooth delivery of services across clinic and mobile settings. Flexibility to work across different sites is important to ensure continuity of care and support for the wider team.

No previous dental experience is required. Full one to one training is provided, and each year staff are supported to complete the NZDA Certificate in Dental Assisting. The service also supports career development pathways to further study, including the Bachelor of Health Science in Oral Health.

About the Team/Service/Location

Our Western Bay of Plenty Oral Health team includes 28 Dental Therapists and Oral Health Therapists alongside 25 Dental Assistants delivering dental care for tamariki from birth through to Year 8. Services are provided across fixed school-based clinics located at Te Puki Intermediate, Arataki, Te Kura o Maarawaewae Primary School, Otumoetai Primary School, and Tauranga Intermediate School, as well as through a fleet of mobile dental units servicing communities from Katikati to Matatā. The team is collaborative, community focused, and committed to delivering accessible oral health care across the region.

Click here to learn more about the Bay of Plenty

About You

You will be a reliable and organised individual who enjoys working with tamariki and contributing to a positive patient experience. You communicate well, work effectively within a team environment, and take pride in maintaining high standards of professionalism and clinical support. You bring willingness to learn, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to supporting safe, welcoming, and patient centred care.

What you will bring:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with patients, whānau, and colleagues
• Good organisational skills and ability to contribute positively within a team environment
• Reliability, punctuality, integrity, and a strong work ethic
• Attention to detail and ability to follow clinical processes and infection control guidelines
• Professional approach to patient privacy, confidentiality, and workplace conduct
• Willingness to learn and undertake on the job training and development

To view the Position Description please click here

Working for Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. 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 Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

How to Apply

To apply for the role please click “apply now.”  All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11:59pm on 16 June 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact bp-Careers@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Please note, we will be reviewing applications when received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.