Dental Nurse 106 views

SOS Children’s Villages in The Gambia is a non-governmental social development organisation that has been active in the field of children’s rights and committed to children’s needs and concerns since 1982. Focussing its work on children without parental care and children in families in difficult circumstances, the organisation has a wide range of programmes, which include: Children’s Villages, Youth Facilities, Family Strengthening Programmes, Kindergartens, Schools, a Mother and Child Clinic, Vocational Training Centres, Youth Empowerment projects, a Community Strengthening Through Green Economy and Education Project, a Monetising Waste Project and a Gender Equality Project

SOS Children’s Villages in The Gambia is looking for a suitably qualified candidate for the position of a Dental Nurse at the Mothers and Child Clinic (MCC).

Position summary:

The Dental Nurse is responsible for providing professional clinical and nursing support within the dental unit, assisting in patient care, infection prevention and control, preventive dentistry, and selected basic dental procedures within the limits of professional training, competence, national regulations, and supervision requirements. The Dental Nurse works closely with the Dental Surgeon to deliver safe, high-quality, and patient-centered dental services.

The Dental Nurse reports to the Dental Surgeon and works within the Dental Unit to ensure the smooth, safe, and professional delivery of oral healthcare services.

General aim of the position

To provide professional clinical and nursing support within the dental unit, assist in patient care and preventive dentistry, and perform selected basic dental procedures within the authorized scope of practice.
• Prepare patients for dental examination and treatment, monitoring comfort and safety throughout.
• Assist the Dental Surgeon during dental procedures and oral surgery.
• Prepare, sterilize, and maintain dental instruments and equipment.
• Support the management of dental emergencies.
• Take and record patient vital signs where necessary.
• Maintain accurate clinical documentation and patient records.
• Under supervision and within national regulations, perform selected basic dental procedures including scaling and polishing, application of fluoride treatment, oral health screening, dental health education, simple temporary fillings, basic atraumatic restorative treatment (ART), simple tooth extractions (mobile or uncomplicated), placement of temporary dressings, basic periodontal care, pit and fissure sealants, post-operative wound care, and management of uncomplicated oral infections according to protocol.
• Ensure strict adherence to infection prevention and sterilization standards.
• Conduct oral health education sessions in schools and communities.
• Support outreach dental programs and promote preventive oral healthcare practices.
• Assist in appointment scheduling, patient flow management, and stock monitoring.
• Participate in preparation of monthly dental service reports.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and professional ethics.

Qualifications/Competencies required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Dental Nursing or a related oral health field.
• Valid professional registration/license where applicable.
• Additional competency-based training in preventive and basic operative dentistry is an advantage.
• Knowledge of infection prevention and sterilization standards.
• Experience in a clinical dental setting is an added advantage.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and within a multidisciplinary team.
• Competence in chairside dental assistance and preventive dentistry.
• Basic restorative and extraction skills as per training and authorization.
• Strong record-keeping and organizational abilities.
• Compassionate, patient-centered approach to care.

We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• A supportive team working environment
• Opportunity to work for a well respected and recognised NGO
• A vital role delivering professional dental nursing and preventive oral health services

To apply, submit your letter of interest with Curriculum Vitae and certificates to: job.apply@sosgambia.org with the subject line: DENTALNURSE2026. Closing date for submission of applications is the 19th of June, 2026. Only successful candidates will be contacted.

For more information on this project please visit our website at www.sosgambia.org

What We Stand For:

SOS Children’s Villages is committed to creating and maintaining a caring and protective environment, which promotes its core values, and prevents and addresses child abuse and exploitation. We strongly condemn all forms of child abuse and exploitation, be it within or outside of our organisation, and always respond to any case of proven, alleged or attempted abuse within our sphere of influence according to its nature. Efforts ensure that mechanisms are in place to raise awareness, aid prevention, encourage reporting and ease response. They range from human resource development actions such as training and counselling to measures such as suspension, dismissal, and legal action.