Job Description

SENIOR DENTAL SURGEON (SENIOR MEDICAL OFFICER – DENTISTRY)

Department: Medical / Clinical Services – Dentistry

Location: Portharcourt, Nigeria

Grade: MS03

Reports To: Consultant / Head of Department, Dentistry

Salary: ₦1,110,025 per month

Minimum Experience: 5 years post-NYSC clinical experience

Job Purpose

The Senior Dental Surgeon will provide comprehensive dental care, independently assessing, diagnosing and managing patients within their professional competence. The role involves supporting consultant-led clinical services, supervising junior medical officers and trainees, and contributing to clinical governance, patient safety and continuous improvement in dental service delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive dental assessments, establish diagnoses and develop appropriate treatment plans.
• Manage outpatient and inpatient dental cases within the scope of professional competence, escalating complex cases when necessary.
• Support consultant-led clinics, ward rounds, dental procedures and multidisciplinary patient management.
• Supervise, mentor and support junior medical officers and trainees, contributing to their clinical development and performance appraisal.
• Maintain accurate, complete and timely clinical records in accordance with hospital policies and professional standards.
• Participate in clinical audits, quality improvement initiatives, infection prevention and control, and patient-safety activities.
• Ensure compliance with relevant clinical protocols, ethical standards and professional regulations.
• Collaborate with nursing, pharmacy, radiology, laboratory, managed-care and other clinical teams to ensure coordinated patient care.
• Support HMO and managed-care processes through appropriate documentation, evidence-based treatment decisions and cost-effective clinical practice.
• Maintain current professional registration, annual practising licence and continuing professional development requirements.
• Monitor treatment outcomes, identify complications and contribute to strategies that improve the quality and safety of dental services.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Performance will be assessed against the following indicators:

• Quality and timeliness of patient assessment, diagnosis and treatment.
• Appropriate independent case management and timely escalation of complex cases.
• Effective supervision, mentoring and development of junior medical officers and trainees.
• Timely completion and accuracy of clinical documentation.
• Participation in scheduled clinical audits and quality improvement activities.
• Dental treatment completion rates and adherence to established clinical benchmarks.
• Monitoring and reduction of avoidable post-procedure complications.
• Compliance with clinical governance, infection control and patient-safety standards.

Academic Qualifications

Essential

• Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BChD), or an equivalent dental qualification registrable with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
• Completion of the required housemanship/internship and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), or a valid exemption where applicable.

Desirable

• Postgraduate training, membership examinations or a higher qualification relevant to dentistry.

Professional Registration and Certification

Essential

• Full registration as a dental practitioner with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
• Valid MDCN annual practising licence for the year of appointment.
• Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to maintaining professional competence and registration.
• Good professional standing, with no unresolved disciplinary restriction that prevents lawful practice.

Desirable

• Progress towards postgraduate dental fellowship examinations through the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria or the West African College of Surgeons, Faculty of Dental Surgery.
• Additional certifications in life support, clinical skills, infection prevention and control, or quality improvement.

Required Experience

Essential

• Minimum of five (5) years of post-NYSC clinical experience.
• Substantial post-registration experience in dental practice, with demonstrated progression and clinical responsibility.
• Proven ability to assess, diagnose and manage dental patients independently within the scope of professional competence.
• Experience supervising, mentoring or supporting junior dental personnel and trainees.
• Experience working within a multidisciplinary hospital environment.

Desirable

• Experience in a multispecialty hospital, corporate healthcare network, public-sector hospital or large institutional healthcare setting.
• Familiarity with HMO-managed care, clinical governance and hospital quality assurance systems.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

The ideal candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong clinical knowledge and sound judgement in dental practice.
• Competence in patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and appropriate referral.
• Effective leadership, supervision, mentoring and team coordination skills.
• Knowledge of clinical governance, patient safety, infection control and clinical audit.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong clinical documentation and record-management skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Professional integrity, patient-centred care and adherence to ethical standards.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage competing clinical priorities.

Working Relationships

Internal Stakeholders

• Consultant and Head of Department, Dentistry
• Medical officers and other clinical staff
• Nursing services
• Pharmacy, laboratory and radiology departments
• Managed-care/HMO and quality assurance teams

External Stakeholders

• Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN)
• Relevant postgraduate medical and dental colleges
• Professional dental associations
• Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs)
• Referral partners and other healthcare providers

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is an experienced and professionally licensed dental surgeon with strong clinical judgement, a patient-centred approach and the ability to manage dental cases independently within their competence. The candidate must demonstrate leadership potential, a commitment to clinical excellence and the ability to support the professional development of junior colleagues while maintaining high standards of patient safety and ethical practice.

How to Apply

Qualified and interested candidates should send their updated CV and relevant professional credentials to hiring@mysigma.io, using Senior Dental Surgeon – Lagos as the email subject.

Only candidates who meet the stipulated qualifications, professional registration and experience requirements will be considered for shortlisting.