Lead Dentist

Job Description

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

The Lead Dentist is a key member of the oral health department and provides comprehensive and appropriate dental care and treatment to patients. He/she serves as a role model for the staff through the provision of excellence in oral health services and in keeping with the mission of the organization. 

***Flexible scheduling, including potential administrative time, may be available with approval from the Dental Director and is based on performance and clinical needs.***

EXPECTATIONS

• Adheres to all Harbor Community Health Center (HarborCHC) policies and procedures.
• Observes all policies and procedures for the use of time-keeping system, including attendance, tardiness, proper clocking procedure, overtime authorization, and that employee nametag is visible.
• Conducts self in a manner that represents HarborCHC’s core values at all times.
• Maintains a positive and respectful attitude with all work-related contacts.
• Provides excellent customer service.
• Communicates regularly with his/her immediate supervisor about departmental and HarborCHC concerns.
• Consistently reports to work prepared to perform the duties of the position.
• Meets productivity standards and performs duties as workload necessitates. 
• Fosters an environment that promotes trust and cooperation among all staff.

MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES

• Our mission is to provide low cost, comprehensive high quality health care and supportive services to those in our community who do not have access to medical care.  
• Our vision is "Improving the Health and Well Being of our Community"
• Our Core Values consist of Integrity, Compassion, Excellence, and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion.
• Employees must possess a strong commitment to the mission, policies, goals and philosophy of Harbor Community Clinic.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required:

• Provide Routine and Emergency Dental Services : Demonstrate full scope of Dentistry, including experience with adult and pediatric patients, ages 0-21. Diagnose and treat dental conditions, develop comprehensive treatment plans, and perform both intra- and extra-oral examinations. Deliver general restorative procedures (e.g., composite and amalgam fillings), preventive care, crown and bridge construction, removable prosthetics, endodontic treatments, and oral surgeries. Initiate and interpret radiographs and laboratory studies. Work with an interdisciplinary team to deliver whole-person care. Stay abreast of new techniques, new equipment and be contemporary with the latest medical and dental discoveries.

• Administer Anesthesia and Medications : Prescribe and administer anesthetics, medications, and treatment regimens as appropriate to meet patient needs
• Initiate and interpret radiographs and laboratory studies.
• Referral and Coordination : Refer patients to specialists or other healthcare providers for advanced care or specialized treatments when necessary.
• Patient Education : Educate patients and their families on oral health, disease prevention, and proper dental hygiene practices. Communicate dental needs and treatment options with patients and their representatives in an objective, clear, and compassionate manner.
• Supervision and Coordination of Dental Staff : Oversee and direct the activities of dental support staff to ensure effective delivery of patient care. Supervise Dental Auxiliary staff and provide guidance, mentorship, and support as needed.
• Community Health Engagement : Actively participate in community health promotion, education, and disease prevention programs to promote oral health in the local community.
• Staff Training and Development : Assist with in-service training and continuous professional development of dental department staff, enhancing skills, knowledge, and adherence to clinical protocols and best practices.
• Student Training : Acts as an educator/preceptor for dental students, dental hygiene students, and dental assisting students who may rotate through HarborCHC dental office.
• Compliance & Safety : Participate in safety, compliance, and quality improvement programs. Adhere to all federal, state, and local regulations and standards governing the delivery of care in a community health center environment, including infection control and prevention.
• Patient Satisfaction : Foster a positive, compassionate, and welcoming environment for both patients and their families. Promote patient satisfaction by delivering high-quality care and addressing concerns in a professional and empathetic manner. Work with the Dental Director and Dental Office Manager to resolve patient complaints.
• Mission Alignment : Support and contribute to HarborCHC’s mission and values through clinical practice, patient care, and team collaboration.
• Additional Duties : Perform other duties as assigned by the Dental Director to help achieve organizational goals and objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Required education, experience and/or training: Current California Dental  and DEA licenses. 
• Demonstrated skill in diagnosing dental disease from the clinical exam and radiographic analysis. Demonstrated skill in developing an appropriate treatment plan. 
• Demonstrated knowledge and skill in performing restorative procedures safely under local anesthetic and nitrous oxide sedation.
• Demonstrated skill in performing extractions.
• Demonstrated skill in performing emergency palliative treatment including pulpotomies and pulpectomies. 
• Demonstrated skill in providing treatment of periodontal disease including but not limited to scaling and root planing. 
• Bilingual verbal skills in English and Spanish(preferred).  
• Proficiency in molar endodontic therapy and surgical extractions, preferred. 
• Ability to work with infectious disease patients.
• Ability to accurately and efficiently enter patient data via Electronic Dental Record (EDR) and lock notes in a timely manner.
• Ability to interact effectively with people of various socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. 
• Ability to deal with patient complaints with tact and diplomacy. 
• Ability to work with volunteers, dental students. Comply with HIPAA and Confidentiality Policies and Procedures as they apply to the job. Demonstrate full scope of Dentistry, including experience with adult and pediatric patients, ages 0-21. Ability to work late hours and/or weekends.

Key Competencies:

• Experience : 5+ years of hands-on dentistry experience, with a proven ability to manage complex dental procedures independently, including oral surgery, molar endodontics, and advanced restorative treatments.
• FQHC Experience :  Work experience in a high volume Community Health Center (CHC) or Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) is strongly preferred.
• Manage Patient Load : Efficiently manage a daily patient load of at least 18-20 patients, ensuring quality care and high patient satisfaction in a timely manner. This number may change based on department goals.
• Leadership and Staff Supervision : Ability to take a leadership role in supervising, mentoring, and training dental staff, ensuring compliance with clinical protocols and efficient practice operations. Supervisory experience with dental assistants and hygienists, including in the absence of the Dental Director.
• Practice Promotion : Understand the practice mission and long-term business goals. Aid in the implementation of strategies to attract new patients, retain current patients, and promote positive relationships with local healthcare practitioners and community stakeholders.

HR PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS

• Legal authorization to work in the United States.
• Clear all post offers, pre-employment background screening, and education verification.
• Must be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have a qualifying medical/religious exemption.
• This is not entended to cover all aspects of your description as additional duties may be assigned. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to manipulate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust. 

Hours: HarborCHC is open Monday-Thursday 7:00am-7:00pm, Friday 8:15am-5:00pm, Saturday 8:00am-5:00pm with occasional overtime, or other shifts based on clinic need. This is a non-exempt position and any overtime must be approved by the Supervisor in advance.

The position may include some administrative time and alternate schedule availability per approval by the Dental Director. If such schedule permissions are granted, they will be dependent on meeting requirements set by the Dental Director, such as timely completion of all administrative tasks and meeting patient care requirements.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

HarborCHC does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race; religion; color; sex/gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions); sexual orientation; national origin; ancestry; physical or mental disability; medical condition; genetic information/characteristics ; marital status/registered domestic partner status; age; sexual orientation; reproductive health decision-making; military or veteran status; use of cannabis off the job and away from the workplace; and any other basis protected by federal, state or local law or ordinance or regulation, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. This policy applies whether the individual has or is perceived to have any of the characteristics protected by law or is associated with a person who has or is perceived to have any of the characteristics protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

DISCLAIMER

The above statements define this position as it currently exists and are intended to describe the general content of and requirements for this job. They are not to be considered as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements and does not limit the assignment of additional duties at the discretion of the supervisor. HarborCHC is an at-will employer.

In addition, HarborCHC  may change your duties, compensation or hours, or transfer, reassign, promote, demote, suspend or otherwise change the terms and conditions of your employment (other than the at-will relationship), with or without cause or prior notice.