Lead Dentist

Position Purpose

The Lead Dentist is responsible for providing management and oversight for the daily operations of a regional dental clinical team, to include staff dental providers, dental assistants and dental front office. The Lead Dentist works closely with the Chief Dental Officer. This role also provides preventive and comprehensive dental care consistent with the dentist’s training and experience in a community health clinic setting to patients of the clinic.

The Lead Dentist is responsible for providing management and oversight for the daily operations of a regional dental clinical team, to include staff dental providers, dental assistants and dental front office. The Lead Dentist works closely with the Chief Dental Officer. This role also provides preventive and comprehensive dental care consistent with the dentist’s training and experience in a community health clinic setting to patients of the clinic.

Principal Clinical Responsibilities

• Examines individuals requesting care, diagnoses their dental condition, prescribes, and carries out, or directs others in carrying out, appropriate dental treatment, or refers individuals for specialty consultation or treatment in conformance with approved clinical protocols and guidelines.
• 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 of treatment provided. In addition, the dentist shall complete patient referrals and other records, and paperwork as shall be required from time by the corporation.
• Educates individuals regarding the correlation of oral health and overall health and in the general promotion of oral health related disease prevention.
• Maintains and updates skills and knowledge to appropriate professional levels with continuing education courses and educational materials.
• Responsible for personal and professional compliance with all applicable federal, state, local and Clinic rules, regulations, protocols and procedures governing practice of dentistry and the clinical provision of Dental care as well as those relating to, but not limited to, personal issues, workplace safety, public health and confidentiality.
• Demonstrates full knowledge of Infection & Exposure control and sterile techniques for dental practice.
• Supervises Dental Department compliance, related to Infection & Exposure Control and safety, as required by local State, and Federal guidelines, Dental Department directives and protocols, and clinic policies and procedures.
• Works collaboratively with support staff, providing clear expectations.
• Works with Lead Medical Provider and Clinic Administrator to attain goals for efficiency, patient satisfaction, and productivity.
• Performs Oral Screenings to fill gaps in scheduling such as No Shows
• Manages difficult clients and patients, demonstrating interpersonal savvy and influence skills.
• Exercises professional judgement in the performance of services provided consistent with organization’s policies and the standards of the dental profession.
• Actively participate in Community Health Fairs as needed.
• Must follow the Dental Board of California Table of Dental Auxiliary Duties Delegable by Supervising Dentist.

Principal Administrative Responsibilities

• Makes sure that daily Dental Care Team Huddles are being conducted each morning and that the meetings are logged for each Dental Care Team
• Works with the Dental Manager and Lead RDA to make sure that all Dental Logs are updated, daily, weekly and monthly.
• Makes sure that Dental Front Office is providing printed Daily Appointment lists at the end of each day for the next day.
• Monitors Daily Dental Clinic Productivity for all Dental Providers on-site and works with Dental Manager and Lead RDA to make sure that Oral Screenings are being performed to fill gaps in the schedule for all Dental Providers.
• Works to make sure that Dental Productivity Goals are achieved daily.
• Has intricate knowledge of Medi-Cal Dental covered and non-covered services and limits of services and guides other dental providers with regards to Medi-Cal Dental Guidelines as well as all as other programs within the dental clinic such as DHSP or any Medi-Cal Dental HMOs and/or Dental Commercial Insurances
• Manages conflicts with Dental Auxiliary Staff in a positive constructive manner with the aid of the Dental Manager.
• Conducts Peer Chart Audits quarterly (5 charts/dental provider on staff and assigned Lead Dentist). Creates a Dental Quality Report for each assigned dentist and overall DQM for the clinic using i2i data each Quarter and reports results to Chief Dental Officer.
• Utilizes and monitors effectiveness and efficiency of all equipment and supplies used in the delivery of service and reports any deficiencies or needed repairs to the Chief Dental Officer immediately.
• Assists with in-service and on-going training of clinic staff
• Builds relationships and fosters a high level of customer service inside and outside of the organization
• Consults with Chief Dental Officer regarding work performance of dental providers and dental assistants.
• Assists in the training of dental student externs and follows protocols established by Western University-Health Sciences and JWCH.
• Confers with the Dental Manager and CDO on dental management issues
• Participates in Lead Dental Provider meetings, dental staff meetings, audits, peer review, quality assurance activities and participate in strategic planning of the Dental Department.
• Maximizes the time and resources of the Dental Clinic by overseeing patient flow to maximize number of patients seen in the time available
• Works closely with the Dental Manager and CDO to focus on continuous program improvement, clinical care and exceptional service to patients.
• Conducts performance management, evaluation and coaching for the designated clinical dental team with the direction of the CDO
• Monitors Specialty Referrals from Dental Providers along with Dental Manager to make sure patients are not being referred out unnecessarily for treatment that could be rendered on-site.
• For DHSP contracted sites- work with the Dental Manager to make sure that ALL Staff are following the protocols. For providers that the HIV palette button is selected for every date of service for a HIV+ patient and that the Dental Visual Assessment is filled out on EDR at every HIV+ patient visit and that all signatures are obtained.
• Performs an annual Visual Xray apron inspection and sends report to Chief Dental Officer.
• Reads the vendor generated Quarterly Dosimeter reports and signs off on the report. Updates the Quarterly Dosimeter Matrix and has Lead RDA sign off and email each Quarter to Chief Dental Officer.
• Monitors the Dental Quality Measures from i2i for their assigned Dental Site/providers on a quarterly basis and (submits with Chart Audits).
• Assists in annual performance evaluations of all staff on-site.
• Performs annual evaluations on providers on site using the JWCH Performance Evaluation Sheet and uses the DQM measures, peer chart audits and productivity to provide an objective data driven evaluation.
• Adhere to all organizational safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements to ensure a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors.
• Participate in required safety and compliance trainings and apply learned practices in daily work activities.
• Identify, report, and help mitigate unsafe conditions, incidents, or hazards in the workplace.
• Use equipment, tools, and supplies safely and responsibly in accordance with organizational and regulatory standards.
• Maintain awareness of infection control, occupational health, and emergency preparedness procedures appropriate to the role.
• Maintains regular and predictable attendance.

Participate in JWCH’s customer service training called AIDET on an annual basis.

• Demonstrate an understanding of AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, and Thank You) to apply in patient encounters or team discussions.
• Utilize the AIDET communication framework to communicate with patients and team members in a manner that reduces patient anxiety, increases patient compliance, and improves clinical outcomes.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited dental school.
• Current California Dental License.
• Current DEA Certificate.
• Current CPR Certification.
• Demonstrated knowledge and success in driving overall clinical operations.
• Ability to travel from site to site as needed.
• Experience in working with clients and staff from diverse socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.

Preferred

• FQHC or Community Health Center experience.
• Management experience.
• Experience with NextGen/EDR preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred
• All JWCH, Wesley Health Centers workforce members are recommended to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Employee Benefits

At JWCH Institute, Inc., we believe in taking care of those who take care of others. If you work 30+ hours per week, you’ll enjoy competitive pay and a robust benefits package that includes:

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Monthly employer-sponsored allowance for assistance with health premiums.
• Funded Health Savings Account (up to deductible) to assist with carrier-approved medical expenses.
• Paid time off (vacation, sick leave) and 13 paid holidays.
• 401(k) Safe Harbor Profit Sharing plan.
• Mileage reimbursement.
• Short- and long-term disability plans (LTD/STD).
• Life insurance policy & AD&D, and more!

JWCH Institute, Inc + Wesley Health Centers is an Equal Opportunity and Fair Chance Employer.

Note

If you become a JWCH provider, you may be able to participate in Loan Repayment Program . A majority of our clinics are NHSC approved sites. The National Health Service Corp may be accepting applications Loan Repayment Program awards. The program is open to licensed primary care medical, dental, and mental and behavior health providers who are employed or have accepted an offer of employment at an NHSC-approved site. Awardees receive up to $50,000 in exchange for two years of service if they practice in a HPSA of 14 above (Tier I). Awardees can also receive up to $30,0000 in exchange for two years of service if they practice in a HPSA of 13 and below (Tier II). You will need to contact National Health Service Corp to apply and receive more information. Upon acceptance, you are encouraged to apply to National Health Service Corp for Loan Repayment Program.