Dentist

Role Overview

This position delivers the full scope of dental care to hospital patients — from the first consultation through diagnosis, treatment and follow-up — working within the clinical protocols the hospital has set. The dentist also plays a quality and teaching role, reviewing service data to judge how well patients are being served and bringing graduate trainees and dental assistants up to standard. Because patients arrive with a wide mix of complaints and often under time pressure, the post suits someone who can move efficiently between examination rooms while keeping documentation and safety standards intact.

Key Responsibilities

• Examine patients, take detailed histories and question them about symptoms, discomfort and prior treatment in order to build a clear picture of their condition.
• Order and interpret diagnostic tests, imaging and specimens where these are needed to confirm or rule out a suspected problem.
• Reach a diagnosis by weighing clinical findings, test results and dental expertise, then agree a treatment plan with the patient.
• Carry out dental procedures and interventions within the hospital's established protocol, monitoring progress and adjusting treatment as the patient's condition changes.
• Write a structured medical report for every patient, covering presenting complaint, background and medical history, examination findings, specimens taken and the treatment recommended.
• Maintain complete and current patient files, and review them regularly so that ongoing care and outcomes can be tracked.
• Handle instruments, store drugs and dispose of sharps and other hazardous materials strictly in line with health and safety policy.
• Educate and counsel patients on preventing dental disease and on the interventions that reduce their specific risk factors.
• Supervise and train graduate trainees and dental assistants completing their post-medical training.
• Compile and analyse data from dental surveys, care programmes and patient records to assess the quality of service patients receive.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor of Dental Surgery or an equivalent qualification.
• A valid practising licence issued by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council.
• Three to four years of experience in a comparable dental role.
• Evidence of ongoing Continuous Professional Development (CPD), as required for practice.
• Emergency training, including ACLS.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a clear service orientation towards patients.
• Sound problem-solving and critical-thinking ability, and the judgement to make good clinical decisions under time pressure.
• Emotional resilience and the capacity to work in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Close attention to detail, particularly in patient notes, reporting and instrument handling.

How Success Is Measured

• Patients seen per hour, alongside revisit rates that reflect treatment that holds up over time.
• Overall patient satisfaction with the care and advice they receive.
• Consistency in following clinical protocols.
• Completeness and accuracy of documented patient notes.