Dental Assistant
As an Army Dental Assistant, you’ll enjoy a rewarding role assisting Army dentists and taking responsibility for patient management, dental records and the management of x-ray and dental equipment. You’ll be a soldier highly skilled in dental procedures who provides direct assistance to a dentist or a civilian dental hygienist.
What you'll do
You’ll be a member of the Army's dental team and provide dental services for hospitals, health battalions and dental centres. On base, you’ll train and work in modern well-equipped clinics. On exercises and operations in Australia and overseas, you’ll work in sophisticated mobile facilities or Navy vessels.
Your duties may include:
- chairside assistance to dentists and civilian dental hygienists as directed
- preparation of dental restorative impression and therapeutic materials for use by the dentist
- operation and maintenance of all dental surgery equipment as directed
- processing, classification and mounting intra-oral radiographs
- preparation, interpretation and maintenance of patient records on both manual and electronic systems
- coordination and maintenance of dental appointment system
- hygiene/sterilisation/infection control procedures for chair-side procedures including cleanliness of dental surgeries, instruments and equipment
- assistance with accounting procedures for dental section stores, equipment and material.
Opportunities for progression and upskilling continue throughout your career. As you progress, the Army will provide you with development opportunities to assist you with your increasing leadership responsibility, as well as further education and specialised training to strengthen your skillset. This will help you to command and run a highly skilled team of soldiers and the employment of their equipment.
Dental Assistants have the opportunity to progress to the roles of Senior Dental Assistant, Dental Supervisor and Dental Manager.
Following completion of your training, you’ll be primarily positioned in Adelaide, SA, Brisbane, Qld, Darwin, NT or Townsville, Qld. You may also be posted to other locations, including regional areas.
Discover where the Army operates across Australia on our base locations map.
My role is preparing the surgery and the instruments ready for the Dentist.
Requirements and training
You must be an Australian citizen to serve in the ADF. However, Australian permanent residents may be eligible. For more details, visit the "Citizenship" tab on the Eligibility Requirements page.
You can apply for a role in the ADF from 16.5 years of age and must be at least 17 to join. The maximum age to join is 56 years.
You don’t need a driver’s licence for this role but if you have one, it can’t be suspended or cancelled.
All ADF members require a security clearance. As an ADF member, you’ll need to obtain the appropriate level of security clearance for your role. You’ll need a collection of relevant information including background checks and/or interviews so the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) can make an informed assessment to ensure the protection of Government resources and information. Your Careers Coach will explain what level of clearance is required for the career you are considering.
For more information or to learn about how security clearance will apply to you, view the eligibility requirements page.
Completion of Year 10 (or equivalent) education required with passes in English and Maths. If you haven't completed Year 10 but are interested in joining, the ADF may be able to support your application.
To join the ADF, you must be healthy and physically fit. This is partially assessed from the completion of an extensive questionnaire covering your medical history, followed by a physical examination.
You’ll also be required to successfully pass a physical fitness assessment.
Female
- Sit-ups (feet held): 20
- Push-ups: 4
- Shuttle Run Score: 6.1.
Male
- Sit-ups (feet held): 20
- Push-ups: 8
- Shuttle Run Score: 6.1.
For further details on medical and physical fitness standards, refer to physical fitness standards for entry into the ADF and medical process for entry into the ADF.
You’ll be enlisted for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 4 years. Subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You’ll have a Careers Coach who can advise on how IMPS will relate to your chosen occupation and personal situation.
You may request discharge at any time provided you do not have an outstanding IMPS obligation.
Course: Army Recruit Course
Duration: 13 weeks
Location: Kapooka, Wagga Wagga, NSW
During training, you'll take part in physical training, weapon handling, and shooting, first aid, drill, and field craft. You'll be challenged both mentally and physically.
Although it can be demanding, most recruits gain a sense of achievement, purpose, and confidence during basic training, and on completion of the course feel justifiably proud of what they have accomplished. The priority of our instructors is to help you succeed.
Key components of the course include:
- Physical Fitness: Structured training to improve strength, endurance, and overall fitness, preparing you for the physical demands of Army life.
- Field Craft: Learn how to live and operate in field conditions, including camouflage, movement techniques, and working in outdoor environments.
- Weapons Handling and Marksmanship: Safe handling, maintenance, and use of Army-issued weapons, and participating in live-fire exercises.
- Drill and Discipline: Develop attention to detail, teamwork and discipline through parade drill and military routine.
- First Aid and Battlefield Casualty Care: Gain essential life-saving skills and learn how to respond to injuries in both training and operational environments.
- Military Skills and Knowledge: Introduction to Army structure, values, customs, and basic soldier responsibilities.
- Resilience and Teamwork: Build mental resilience and learn to work effectively within a team in high-pressure situations.
On successful completion of the Army Recruit Course, you’ll participate in a Graduation Parade and have the opportunity to invite family and friends to view the parade. You’ll then move on to your Initial Employment Training (IET), where you’ll learn the specific skills required for your chosen role.
Course: ADF Dental Assistant Course
Duration: 20 weeks
Location: ADF Dental School, HMAS Cerberus, Vic
Completion of this training will give you the qualification HLT35021 – Certificate III in Dental Assisting.
Topics covered:
- Introduction to Dentistry
- Dental Science
- Work Health and Safety
- Infection Control
- Sterilisation
- Chairside Assisting
- Construct Models
- Dental Unit Administration
- Dental Radiography
- Deployable Dental Operation Suite.
Following the ADF Dental Assistant Course, you’ll complete 12 to 18 months of work placement before completing the following course.
Course: ADF Senior Dental Assistant Course
Duration: 6 weeks
Location: ADF Dental School, HMAS Cerberus, Vic
Completion of this training will give you the qualification HLT45021 – Certificate IV in Dental Assisting.
Topics covered:
- ADF Dental Unit
- Infection control
- Radiography
- ADF Deployable Dental Operating Capability
- WHS Considerations in a Dental Environment.