General Dentist

About the Organisation

The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) was established in 1973 to address the specific medical needs of Victorian Aboriginal communities. 2023 marked a landmark year as VAHS proudly celebrated it’s 50-year of providing a comprehensive range of medical, dental, allied health and social services for our community. 

As well as providing a variety of medical services, VAHS is committed to supporting the well-being of the community through contributions to community events and activities. VAHS is also committed to assisting research into the ongoing needs of the community. 

VAHS is a child safe organisation, committed to child safety and wellbeing, and recruits’ staff in accordance with the Child Safe Standards Victoria. 

About the Opportunity

The General Dentist provides preventative and restorative dental and oral health care with a focus on groups with particular needs which may make them less likely to access dental care. As required, the dental service also refers clients to other VAHS programs and services, such as counselling, physiotherapy, nursing, dietetics, mental health services, podiatry, and occupational therapy. 

The General Dentist ensures that the standard of patient care is maintained at the highest possible level commensurate with VAHS policy and encourages positive attitudes towards oral health. 

Key Selection Criteria

To be considered for this role you must have the following:

Essential Skills & Experience 

• Experience in public dental service provision.
• Demonstrated understanding and commitment to the principles of public health.
• Understanding of and Commitment to the Aboriginal community.

Essential Attributes 

• Conflict resolution knowledge and ability to assess conflict confidently and apply sound judgment within organisational policies.
• Able to utilise skills to effectively build rapport with staff, clients, and external partnerships with a focus on stakeholder management.
• Commitment to oral health promotion principles.
• Takes responsibility for actions and proactively implements work plan and addresses issues.
• Demonstrates perseverance in achieving objectives and copes effectively with setbacks and problems.
• Identify continuous quality improvement opportunities and act upon when/where relevant.
• Demonstrates commitment to improving the health of disadvantaged and marginalised communities.
• Demonstrates perseverance in achieving objectives and copes effectively with setbacks and problems.
• Takes responsibility for actions and proactively implements work plan and addresses issues.
• Demonstrates an interest in and an appreciation of a range of different cultures and actively seeks to understand and effectively address the issues and views of others.
• Identify continuous quality improvement opportunities and act upon when/where relevant.

Qualifications / Registrations Requirements 

• Bachelor of Dental Science or equivalent
• Radiation License
• Current unrestricted APHRA registration is essential

Conditions of Employment

• Willing to undergo a National Police Check
• Hold a current Victorian Employee Working with Children Check 
• Must have a minimum of three (3) COVID-19 vaccinations prior to the Commencement Date

How to Apply

Please forward your covering letter (addressing the key selection criteria) and resume to **********@vahs.org.au before 9pm Sunday, 17 March 2024.