Do you want to be a
part of the Smiling Starts team; our mission is to improve the oral
health of our youngest community members in Western
Australia!
This Recruitment is for Permanent Full Time, Permanent
Part Time, Fixed Term Full Time, Fixed Term Part Time & Casual
appointments. Fixed Term and Casual appointments include
the possibility of extension(s) and/or permanency.
Dental Clinic Assistants play an essential role
in supporting the delivery of dental care and oral health promotion
to the youngest members of our WA community and their families
through the Smiling Starts Early Childhood Dental Program
(ECDP)
What is our Dental Clinic
Assistant role?
Dental Clinic Assistants work closely with Dental Therapists and
Oral Health Therapists to support care for eligible children
referred through child health nurses and other professional
networks as part of this new and expanding program.
For more information about the Smiling Starts Program, please
visit our website: Smiling Starts
In this role, you’ll be part of a passionate, community‑focused
team helping bring positive oral health experiences to life.
- Support Dental Therapists and Oral Health Therapists in the
delivery of high‑quality, child‑focused dental care for
eligible children.
- Engage positively with children, families, and carers to
help create a welcoming and reassuring dental environment.
- Assist in the delivery of fun, engaging oral health
promotion activities in a variety of community and clinical
settings, using Smiling Starts messages and resources.
- Help maintain safe, organised, and efficient high‑quality
care.
For a full outline of responsibilities and role expectations,
please refer to the attached
DHS Smiling Starts DCA JDF
Suitable applicants must hold a Certificate III in Dental
Assisting (or higher), along with a valid Working with Children
(WWC) card. Travel to sites is conducted using program vehicles,
with driving shared among team members, so a valid Australian “C”
Class driver’s licence is also required.
Dental Clinic Assistants (DCAs) in this program will perform
Oral Health Promotion Checks for children and, where appropriate,
apply Duraphat. To undertake this work, you will need to complete
the Oral Health Skills course. This training will be provided
through Smiling Starts and involves a full-time, 2-week
commitment.
Smiling Starts delivers oral health education, screening, and
child friendly minimally invasive dental care in community
settings. You should be comfortable engaging with community groups
and delivering oral health information.
Due to the nature of our work within community settings,
flexibility is essential. Successful applicants must be available
to work 7.5-hour shifts scheduled between 7:00am and 6:00pm,
including a 30-minute meal break.
To support program delivery across targeted communities, you may
be rostered at various locations, which may not always be close to
your home. A willingness to work across multiple sites is
required.
While your qualifications and experience tell us part of your
story, your values and attitude speak louder still. At NMHS, we aim
to ensure our behaviours reflect our core values: Care, Respect,
Innovation, Teamwork, and Integrity. During the selection process
you will be assessed on your ability to fulfil the responsibilities
of this position while upholding our values.
Travel
Opportunities
As the Smiling Starts program develops there will be the
opportunity to travel to regional areas of Western Australia,
working away from home for periods between 1 and 6 weeks, with
generous daily allowances and all costs covered.
What we
offer
NMHS supports flexible working practices and consideration will
be given to flexible work options, where operationally appropriate.
In addition to the great salary, our employees enjoy an amazing
range of benefits (North
Metropolitan Health Service - Pay and Benefits) including:
- Professional and career development opportunities
- Salary packaging to increase take-home pay
- Diverse and inclusive culture
Want to know more about
this role?
We encourage you to contact Vanessa Pina on 08 9313 0531 or
Jeffrey Hagan on 1800 939 666 to discuss how this role aligns with
your personal and career interests.
We think you’ll like it
here
Our employees like working here, and we think you will too.
Watch this video to find out what they have to say.
REEL A
Day in the life Promoting Smiling Starts
Ready to join our
team?
Applicants are required to apply online www.jobs.wa.gov.au so allow enough
time to complete the online application process and attach your
documentation. If you experience difficulties, please contact
HSS Employee Services on 13 44 77 for immediate assistance during
business hours. The JDF is attached for reference.
Your application should include:
- A Cover Letter (max 3 pages) explaining why you are
applying for this role and providing examples in the areas of:
- Your relevant qualifications, skills and experience
aligned to the requirements of the position.
- Demonstrated well developed organisational ability
and use of initiative.
- Ability to work independently and in a team
environment.
- A detailed Resume which sets out your work history.
- References - the names and contact details of two (2)
referees. It is preferable for one of your referees to have
been a recent supervisor.
Shortlisted candidates applying for metropolitan
positions will need to be available for a Group Assessment on
Monday 13th or Wednesday 15th July 2026.
Shortlisted candidates for regional positions will be contacted to
arrange an interview.
Eligibility to Apply: To be eligible for
appointment you must have documentary evidence of your entitlement
to live and work in Australia for the period of the contract.
Whilst this selection process will initially be used to fill the
above vacancy, it may also be used to fill other "similar"
vacancies throughout the health service. In addition to this,
should the successful applicant decline or vacate the advertised
vacancy, then the next most suitable applicant may also be selected
from this process. Both of these options remain valid for a period
of twelve (12) months from when the authorised delegate endorses
the recruitment decision.
North Metropolitan Health Service (NMHS) fosters an environment
of equity and inclusion and strives to ensure everyone experiences
a sense of belonging. We celebrate the rich diversity of our
community and are committed to recruiting a team that is reflective
of those we care for. We encourage anyone who aligns with our
values of Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, Innovation and Care to
apply for this role.
NMHS is committed to growing the Aboriginal workforce as a part
of our Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Strategy. As a measure
to achieve equality, Section 51 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984
applies to this position. We encourage Aboriginal people to
apply.
NMHS upholds the social model of disability. We welcome
applicants who have disability and endeavour to support reasonable
workplace adjustments and flexibility. If you have any access needs
or require adjustments to participate in the recruitment process,
please contact NMHS Human Resources at email nmhs.talent@health.wa.gov.au.
Lodgement is system generated. Any submissions after or
on, 4:00pm on the closing date will not be accepted.
We look forward to
receiving your application.
This document can be made available in alternative formats on
request.
© North Metropolitan Health Service 2026
