Locum Dentist / Emergency Dentist

Emergency Dentist Job DescriptionPosition:

Emergency Dentist

Location:

West Med Group

Employment Type:

Shift-Based / Part-Time

Working Hours:

• Monday to Friday: 09:00 – 18:00
• Saturdays & Sundays: 09:00 - 14:00

1. Position Overview

The Locum Dentist is responsible for providing professional, ethical and high-quality dental care to patients during agreed locum sessions.

The Dentist will independently assess, diagnose and treat patients within their professional scope of practice while complying with all applicable clinical, ethical and regulatory requirements.

The Dentist is expected to contribute to a professional, patient-focused environment and work collaboratively with the Practice's clinical, administrative and support teams.

2. Key ResponsibilitiesClinical Duties

The Locum Dentist will:

• Conduct comprehensive dental examinations and consultations.
• Assess and diagnose dental and oral health conditions.
• Develop and communicate appropriate treatment plans to patients.
• Provide general dental treatment within their professional scope of practice.
• Perform preventative, restorative and emergency dental procedures where clinically appropriate.
• Prescribe medication where clinically indicated and legally permitted.
• Refer patients to appropriate specialists or other healthcare professionals when required.
• Obtain appropriate informed consent before treatment.
• Ensure that patients understand proposed treatment, alternatives, potential risks and associated costs where applicable.
• Maintain appropriate standards of infection prevention and control.
• Respond appropriately to dental or medical emergencies arising during treatment.

Patient Care

The Locum Dentist will:

• Provide patients with professional, respectful and compassionate care.
• Communicate diagnoses and treatment options clearly and appropriately.
• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
• Ensure appropriate follow-up arrangements are made where clinically necessary.
• Maintain continuity of care by providing adequate clinical notes and handover information for patients requiring further treatment.

3. Clinical Records & Administration

The Locum Dentist is responsible for ensuring that:

• All consultations, examinations, diagnoses and treatments are accurately recorded.
• Clinical notes are completed promptly and to an appropriate professional standard.
• Relevant X-rays, photographs, scans, prescriptions and supporting documentation are appropriately recorded or stored.
• Treatment plans and procedures performed are correctly captured for billing and administrative purposes.
• Patient information is handled in accordance with applicable confidentiality and data protection requirements, including POPIA.
• Records are completed before the end of the relevant shift/session wherever reasonably possible.

4. Practice Operations

The Locum Dentist is expected to:

• Arrive punctually and be ready to consult at the agreed starting time.
• Remain available for the full agreed locum session unless otherwise authorised.
• Work collaboratively with dental assistants, reception staff, management and other healthcare practitioners.
• Follow reasonable clinical and operational policies implemented by the Practice.
• Assist with maintaining efficient patient flow and reasonable appointment times.
• Promptly communicate delays, clinical incidents, patient complaints or operational concerns to the appropriate Practice representative.
• Treat Practice staff, patients and fellow healthcare practitioners professionally and respectfully.

5. Professional & Regulatory Requirements

The Locum Dentist must:

• Hold an appropriate recognised qualification in dentistry.
• Maintain current registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Dentist.
• Remain in good standing with the HPCSA for the duration of their engagement.
• Maintain any professional indemnity insurance required for their practice.
• Practise strictly within their registered professional scope.
• Comply with applicable HPCSA ethical rules and professional guidelines.
• Comply with applicable South African healthcare legislation and regulations.
• Maintain appropriate continuing professional development requirements.
• Immediately inform Practice Management of any suspension, restriction, investigation or material change affecting their professional registration or ability to practise.

6. Clinical Independence

The Locum Dentist remains professionally responsible for their own clinical decisions, diagnoses, treatment recommendations and procedures.

Nothing in the operational policies or administrative requirements of the Practice should be interpreted as requiring the Dentist to provide treatment that they reasonably believe would be clinically inappropriate, unethical or outside their professional scope of practice.

7. Infection Prevention & Safety

The Locum Dentist must comply with the Practice's infection prevention and control procedures, including appropriate:

• Hand hygiene.
• Use of personal protective equipment.
• Handling of clinical instruments.
• Sharps disposal.
• Clinical waste management.
• Sterilisation procedures.
• Prevention of cross-contamination.

Any clinical incident, exposure, injury or infection-control concern must be reported immediately in accordance with Practice procedures.

8. Patient Confidentiality

All patient information obtained through the Dentist's work at the Practice must be treated as confidential.

Patient records, contact information, photographs, clinical information or other Practice data may not be copied, removed, disclosed or used for purposes unrelated to legitimate patient care without appropriate authorisation or lawful justification.

9. Professional Conduct

The Locum Dentist is expected to:

• Maintain a professional appearance and demeanour.
• Communicate respectfully with patients and staff.
• Avoid conduct that could reasonably damage the reputation of the Practice.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with patients.
• Declare any potential conflict of interest.
• Comply with the Practice's reasonable workplace and clinical policies.

10. Minimum Requirements

The successful Locum Dentist should have:

• A recognised BDS/BChD or equivalent dental qualification.
• Current HPCSA registration as a Dentist.
• Appropriate professional indemnity cover.
• Strong general dentistry skills.
• Excellent patient communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good clinical record-keeping practices.
• The ability to work independently while functioning effectively within a multidisciplinary Practice environment.
• A professional, reliable and patient-centred approach.

11. Locum Sessions

Locum sessions will be arranged according to the operational requirements of the Practice and the availability of the Dentist.

The specific dates, hours, remuneration structure and any other commercial arrangements applicable to locum sessions will be agreed separately between the Dentist and the Practice.

Acceptance of a locum session constitutes a commitment to attend and provide services for the agreed period, subject to emergencies or other reasonable circumstances.

Where the Dentist becomes unable to attend an agreed session, they must notify Practice Management as soon as reasonably possible.

12. Performance Expectations

The Locum Dentist will be expected to maintain:

• High standards of clinical care.
• Accurate and complete clinical records.
• Appropriate patient communication.
• Professional and ethical conduct.
• Punctuality and reliability.
• Compliance with Practice policies and procedures.
• Appropriate management and follow-up of patients.
• Effective collaboration with the broader Practice team.

Work Location: In person