MEDICAL SERVICES Dental Officer CURRENTLY RECRUITING

As an RAF Dental Officer, you will deliver a complete range of dental care treatments to all RAF personnel.

Learn more about this role

PAY DURING TRAINING £45,800+ + Benefits

Initial pay after training £75,648 + Benefits

Pay after training is subject to experience and seniority.

Apply as a Regular


Is this for you?

APPLICANTS MUST:

  • Be aged 21 - 53 (Must attest before 54th birthday)
  • Be qualified to practise dentistry and be fully registered with the General Dental Council of the United Kingdom.
  • Have GCSEs at a minimum of Grade C/Grade 4-5 or equivalent Scottish Certificate of Education (SCE) at a minimum of Grade 2 or Scottish National Equivalent (SNE) at Grade 5 in English Language and Mathematics in English Language and Mathematics
  • Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth.
  • Commit to initial 6 or 12 years service
  • Meet the health and fitness criteria
  • Pass a Fitness test - Details below

GREAT FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN:

  • Helping people
  • Travelling the world
  • Aircraft

VIEW ALL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

TYPICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Conduct dental screenings and regular checks
  • Carry out advanced clinical solutions for complicated dental problems
  • Provide a range of simple treatments like fillings and cleanings

As a Dental Officer, you will provide a high standard of dental care to RAF personnel.  Depending on your duty Station this could range from providing dental care to recruits undertaking basic training through to fast jet pilots at front line flying units. All RAF personnel are entitled to receive free dental care to ensure that they are fit for military service. At the core of this care programme is a preventative philosophy that gives high priority to dental screening and regular dental inspections. RAF dentists carry out a full range of treatment in an environment which encourages and values high quality care. Older patients, for example, may present with complicated dental problems, requiring advanced clinical solutions. Younger personnel, on the other hand, may present with problems such as impacted third molars.

Like all RAF service personnel, you are required to be flexible as to where you work.  You will be expected to move location every few years, the average tour length being 3 years. It is likely that you will be based in a Dental Centre on an RAF Station within the UK, supported by both uniformed and civilian staff. Depending on the size of your patient base, you may be the only dentist, or you may work in a multi-chair practice with other clinicians. During your service career there is the possibility to be assigned overseas. This could mean working on one of our overseas bases, carrying out routine dentistry for service personnel and their families, or providing primary dental care in the field on operations. Whether you are working in a practice or under canvas, you will have all the facilities, training, equipment and support that you need.

Whether you are working either as a Regular or Reserve Dental Officer you will deliver a high standard of care sometimes in demanding conditions, including the extra challenge of working in a field hospital or a deployed medical treatment facility.

Unified Career Management (UCM) is a new approach to managing cadres of people where the capabilities they deliver are very similar across two or more of the single Services (sS). Personnel within UCM cohorts will benefit from new and bespoke career pathways which offer individuals the opportunity to progress a career within specialist cohorts. Serving personnel will transfer to UCM Medical Terms and Conditions of Service (TACOS) on 1 January 2024 under their current engagement/commission type and length of Service (LoS), those joining the sS on/after 1 January 2024 will automatically be aligned with UCM Terms of Service (TOS).

As a Dental Officer, your primary role will be to provide a high standard of dental care to RAF personnel. The RAF has a preventative philosophy to its care programme and gives high priority to dental screening and regular dental inspections. RAF dentists carry out a full range of treatment in an environment which encourages and values high quality care. We deliver care in the UK and abroad in both firm base and austere environments.

You will join your nearest geographically located RAF Medical Reserve unit: 612 Squadron at Leuchars Station, Fife; 4626 Squadron at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire: 502 Squadron at Flying Station Aldergrove, Northern Ireland; or 600 Squadron at RAF Northolt, Middlesex.

WHY JOIN THE RAF?

Thanks to subsidised food, travel, accommodation and free gym you get more money in your pocket.

Salary
Benefits Salary
Civilian Role
RAF Role
  • Rent from £75p/m
  • Free gym
  • Subsidised food
  • Health care
  • World travel
  • 6 weeks holiday

See All Benefits

TRAINING AND CAREER

INITIAL TRAINING

Like all specialist branch officers, you will begin your RAF career by undertaking initial officer training on the Specialist Officer Initial Training Course (SOITC) at the RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire. You will follow a 12-week programme specially designed for professionally qualified entrants to the RAF. Your initial officer training will focus on developing your Command, Leadership and Management skills, as well as improving your general service knowledge, physical fitness and providing initial training in force protection. Reserve Dental Officers will undertake their own initial officer training course (Reserve Officer Initial Training).

SPECIALIST TRAINING

The RAF Dental Branch only recruits GDC registered qualified dentists who have already undertaken, or are undertaking, their General Professional Training post-graduation. Foundation Training is not currently offered within the RAF.

More Details +

FOUNDATION TOUR

For your first tour, you will be posted to a multi-chair practice to work with an experienced dentist where you will be mentored and supported to practise dentistry to the highest standards. Comprehensive clinical governance, including quality assurance and practice audit, are built into RAF working practices. Once you have gained experience of working within the Dental Branch you will have clinical freedom to give your patients the best possible care, whilst maximising RAF resources.

YOUR CAREER PROSPECTS

You will join the RAF as a Flight Lieutenant on an Initial Commission of 6 years and you will be eligible to be considered for promotion to Squadron Leader after 4 years accredited service (time spent in civilian practice may count towards seniority). Further promotion, to the rank of Wing Commander and beyond, is by competitive selection. You may apply for your engagement to be extended until the age of 60.

ONGOING DEVELOPMENT

All of our Dental Officers are encouraged to take up to 5 days of postgraduate education each year. You will be encouraged to study for the Membership of the Joint Dental Faculties (MJDF) qualification. As your career develops you may be selected to work towards further postgraduate qualifications, e.g. Masters Degrees, and then be appointed as an enhanced general practitioner in disciplines such as periodontology or advanced conservation. Professional training pathways leading to consultant status are also funded by the Ministry of Defence to meet our clinical and manning requirements.

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

As a Dental Officer in the RAF, you will have all the development opportunities and career prospects available to your civilian counterparts, together with the chance to work around the world and gain unique dental and personal experiences. Some Dental Officers pursue a full career within the RAF whereas others will leave at the end of their 6-year or 20-year commissions and go on to work in civilian practice where the skills they have learned within the military are highly valued.

TRAINING AND CAREER

INITIAL TRAINING

RAF Reserve Officers will begin with Reserve Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC(R) Part 1, delivered locally at your Sqn. BRTC(R) Part 2 is a 2-week course conducted at RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire, which should be completed within your first year in the RAF Reserves. BRTC(R) is designed to teach basic military skills such as weapon handling and fieldcraft.

This is followed by Reserve Officer Initial Training course (ROIT) at RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire, comprising up to 4 weekends and a 2-week residential phase. ROIT is designed to build upon the military skills gained during BRTC(R) and cultivate leadership skills through academic study and field exercises. Culminating in graduation from RAF Officer Training Academy, Cranwell as a Commissioned Officer. You will also undertake the Foundation Airpower training on completion of ROIT.

SPECIALIST TRAINING  

Dental Officers attend the Introductory RAF Medical Services Officers' Course at the Defence College of Healthcare Education at Defence Medical Academy (DMA) Whittington, Staffordshire.

Commitment and location

You will have to commit to 27 days per year.


Each year includes a 15-day block for general RAF training, and 12 separate days for extra training or exercises.

 

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

ALL APPLICANTS MUST:

Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth (with ‘right to work’ immigration status).

Be aged between 21 and 53 years old (Must attest before 54th birthday).

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Have these minimum grades:

  GCSE GCSE 2017 SNE
Mathematics C Grade 4 Grade 5
English Language C Grade 4 Grade 5

Be qualified to practice dentistry and be fully registered with the General Dental Council of the United Kingdom.

You can see what the RAF accepts in lieu of GCSEs & A Levels here.

NATIONALITY & RESIDENCY

Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth (with ‘right to work’ immigration status).

Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 5 years immediately preceding your application. However, candidates with a minimum of 3 years will be considered.

Following the MOD announcement that the UK Armed Forces will now be able to recruit commonwealth citizens without the 5 year residency requirement, please note that the RAF continues to apply standard residency requirements for security clearance,  ie, DV employment requires 7-years UK residency immediately prior to enlistment; SC requires 3-years.

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

You must be physically fit to complete both initial and specialist training, and to do your role effectively. To check your fitness levels, we put every candidate through at least two separate fitness tests as part of the application process.

The first of these is the Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT) which takes place at a fitness centre local to you. This consists of the following:

  • 2.4km (1.5m) run on a treadmill (set to zero incline)
  • Achieve the required number of press-ups - within 60 seconds
  • Achieve the required number of sit-ups - within 60 seconds

The second fitness test will take place at RAF Cranwell as part of your familiarisation visit. This consists of the following:

  • Achieving the required score on the Multi-Stage Fitness Test (MSFT or Bleep test)
  • Achieve the required number of press-ups - within 60 seconds
  • Achieve the required number of sit-ups - within 60 seconds

How fit you need to be to pass these tests can vary depending on role, age and gender. The requirements are listed on the charts below (Male and Female).

MALES - 100% pass rates:
AGE 2.4 Km Run Multi-Stage Fitness Test Press-ups Sit-ups
  (Mins) (Score) (No.) (No.)
15-16 11.39 9.03 20 35
17-29 11.11 9.10 20 35
30-34 11.36 9.04 19 32
35-39 12 8.09 18 29
40-44 12.26 8.03 17 26

 

FEMALES - 100% pass rates:
AGE 2.4 Km Run Multi-Stage Fitness Test Press-ups Sit-ups
  (Mins) (Score) (No.) (No.)
15-16 13.54 6.07 10 32
17-29 13.23 7.02 10 32
30-34 13.47 6.08 9 29
35-39 14.13 6.04 8 26
40-44 14.48 5.08 7 23

You can see the protocols for Press Ups & Sit Ups here:

PJFT/PRTC/Fam Visit Protocols

You can download an MP3 file of the Multi-Stage Fitness Test below, listen to the introduction file first:

RAF MSFT: Intro

RAF MSFT: Bleep Test

You can see a video demonstration of the PRTC Fitness Test here:

RAF Fam Visit Fitness Test

A 12-week fitness plan with detailed information to help you get ready for all of the fitness tests can be downloaded here.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

BEFORE YOUR APPLICATION:

There are health requirements that must be met by all applicants:

  • Body Mass Index requirements:
Age Male and female minimum Male and female maximum Male maximum with additional assessment Female maximum with additional assessment
18 + 18 28 32 30
16 to < 18 17 27 27 27
  • Eyesight requirements vary for different roles. A requirement to wear glasses or contact lenses may be allowed for aircrew.

Get in touch if you have any questions about the health criteria, or would like to find out if any additional health requirements apply to your role of interest.

DURING YOUR APPLICATION:

The Medical Risk Assessment that all candidates undergo is there to make sure that you are healthy enough for the intense training required by the RAF. Your application will be rejected if you fail to meet the minimum acceptable medical standard for entry. Your medical history is confidential and is not disclosed to those not authorised to hold this information.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

YOU MUST:

  • Declare any previous spent and unspent convictions
  • Check if you qualify under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 through this summary
  • Have a basic background check to get Security Check level clearance

DISQUALIFYING FACTORS

YOU CAN'T APPLY FOR THE RAF IF YOU:

  • Have been or are a member of a group that stirs up racial hatred and violence
  • Are waiting to appear in court, or have unspent convictions. You may also have to declare spent convictions for certain roles
  • Misuse drugs, solvents and anabolic steroids. But each case is considered upon its own merits
  • Have tattoos, brands or bead implants that are obscene or offensive. 
    Any permanent or temporary tattoos, whether ordinarily visible or not, must not be obscene or offensive (eg, racist, anti-religion or belief, crude, overtly sexist, homophobic, drug related or of an extreme political nature). Tattoos may be worn on the side and back of the neck but tattoos on the back of the neck must not extend above the natural hairline (scalp tattoos are not permitted). In addition, tattoos must not be visible below the sleeve cuff while wearing uniform, although a single finger (not thumb) tattoo that could be covered by a ring may be permitted
  • Have body piercing which causes holes that do not close up
  • Declare yourself to be an 'undischarged' bankrupt

Beard Policy:

A revised facial hair policy has been agreed by the Air Force Board which will allow serving personnel to wear a smart, neatly-trimmed, full-set beard whilst maintaining high standards of appearance. The length of acceptable beards is between Grade 1 (2.5mm) and Grade 8 (25.5mm).

The wearing of beards during Phase 1 and Phase 2 training is currently under consideration and details will be advised when available.

If you don’t have any of the above, you might still be able to apply. For more information contact your local AFCO.

GOT WHAT IT TAKES?

Apply here and receive an email that invites you to your full online application.

Apply as a Regular