Dentist

The Dentist provides clinical dental services and preventive dental care in a community health center setting. Supervises the Dental Assistants/Hygienists/EFDA and collaborates with the Public Health Dental Hygienist. The position requires someone who has comprehensive knowledge of primary dental care in outpatient setting, knowledge of the principles and practice of modern dentistry as related to public health organizations and community health programs and current social and economic problems pertaining to public health and their impact on primary health care.

_Principal Duties and Responsibilities_

* Examines individuals requesting care, diagnosing their dental/oral conditions, prescribing and carrying out, or directing others in carrying out as appropriate the scope of service, appropriate dental/oral treatment, or referring individuals for specialty consultation or treatment in conformance with approved clinical protocols and guidelines.
* Knowledge of digital radiography preferred; Records patient-dentist transactions as they occur in the patient’s dental record so that the dental record accurately and completely reflects the nature of the contact, the condition of the patient and the care or treatment provided.
* Educates individuals in the nature of oral health related conditions and in the general promotion of oral health related disease prevention
* Serves on the dental staff and other center committees as assigned; Preparing specific reports as requested by the community health center’s Chief Medical Officer; Assists in the provision of continuing education, on-the-job training, and the orientation of community health center staff as requested
* Designs, develops, and implements appropriate Dental Department policies, protocols and procedures as directed by the Chief Medical Officer which are in compliance with the most current accepted professional standards; Assisting in the provision of technical assistance and health education to the community as requested
* Participates in short- and long-term program planning for the Dental Department including development of goals and objectives
* Leads the coordination and integration of the health center’s dental programs and services with other programs and services for the welfare of the health center’s patients.
* Maintains patient confidentiality at all times with regard to personal, medical, dental and billing information; and Participating in all QI activities including Peer Review.
* Actively participates as a member of the senior leadership team.
* Fosters teamwork within and between individuals and teams at BCHC by promoting open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision-making to achieve quality patient care:
* Functions competently within own scope of practice as a member of the health care team.
* Values the perspectives and expertise of all health team members.
* Respects the unique attributes that members bring to a team, including variations in professional orientations and accountabilities.
* Assumes role of team member or leader based on the situation.
* Openly offers assistance to others when appropriate to situation regardless of whether assistance was specifically requested.
* Clarifies roles and accountabilities under conditions of potential overlap in team member functioning.
* Communicates effectively and efficiently with team members, adapting own style of communication to needs of the team and situation.
* Demonstrates commitment to team goals rather than individuals’ priorities.
* Solicits input from other team members to improve individual, as well as team, performance.
* Initiates actions to resolve conflict.
* Develops, fosters and supports communication practices that minimize risks, associated with handoffs among team members and across transition in care.
* Participates in designing systems that support effective teamwork.

_Key Competencies_

* Maintains current knowledge in primary health care via professional journals and continuing education activities.
* Attains and maintains clinical expertise.
* Demonstrates effective communication and leadership skills and works effectively as a member of the BCHC team.
* Arranges alternative coverage for days off.
* Demonstrates integration of safety principles; utilizes proper body mechanics.

_Education and Requirements _

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

* Graduation from an accredited dental school; completion of an accredited general practice residency: 1 year
* Active PA license to practice Dentistry
* Current CPR (BLS) certification