Dentist

Dental Services ProviderProvides dental services. Maintains dental expertise and competency (to include age specific competency) as well as demonstrates thorough knowledge of procedures to deliver quality primary dental care. Provides dental sessions, as scheduled, in direct patient care at clinic site, including extended hours clinics. Provides services equaling to at least forty (40) hours per week in clinic. Examines, diagnoses, treats and/or refers patients assigned to dentist's panel, on an in-patient and out-patient basis (as per individual employment agreements); prescribes pharmaceuticals, other medications, and treatment regimens as appropriate to assessed dental conditions. Refers clients for appropriate specialty care services, lab and x-ray and any other ancillary services that are appropriate for patient's management and care. Reviews all lab and x-ray reports for patients under his/her care on a timely basis and makes dental management decisions appropriately. Follows appropriate standards of care for each patient. Provides continuity of care to center patients on his or her patient panel and other patients as assigned, including routine in-patient and nursing home care to center patients. Maintains a problem oriented dental record for each patient seen in accordance with the Center's established Health Information Management policies and procedures. Leads the oral health care team in identifying, evaluating, and prioritizing patient and family needs to develop a plan of care. Ensures that patient and family/significant others are educated about diagnosis and the plan of care. Acts as a resource for facilitating communication when necessary. Participates in specified oral health promotion, education and/or prevention programs as needed; attends and participates in clinic meetings/departmental meetings and other clinic functions as required by the Center.Provides clinical oversight under the supervision of the Dental Director. Assumes responsibility/accountability for delegating, directing, and supervising patient care activities. Trains, mentors and supervises students and dental support staff engaged in activities and procedures, as appropriate. Participates in the analysis of community health problems and assists in the development of the community health care plan. Participates in Compliance and Performance Improvement activities for continuous quality improvement and risk management purposes. Participates in the review and development of patient care policies, including health maintenance schedules and continuity of care. Participates in the review and development of protocols and standing orders. Implements the plans, procedures and protocols for the dental team. Serves as a resource and positive, proactive leader for the department. Accepts responsibility for remaining current with oral health care trends and information that impact the dental practice. Participates in the evaluation of products, procedures, and patient care standards. Provider is responsible for practicing accepted infection control procedures at all times to include attending individual/group infection control training, and to comply with infection control monitoring.Maintains professional courtesy at all times. Performs all other related duties as assigned.Required knowledge, skills and abilities include knowledge of advanced principles of oral health promotion, prevention and motivation; knowledge of protocols in general and an ability to quickly gain specific knowledge of the Center's current operational protocols; knowledge of dental terminology and appropriate abbreviations; demonstrates knowledge of the Texas Dental Practice Act; ability to document, with clarity, all information relevant to a patient's needs; ability to effectively present information in small group situations to patients, Center staff, and the general public; ability to use office equipment including but not limited to computers, fax machines, telephones and copiers.Preferred knowledge includes bilingual in English and Spanish.Required credentials and experience include dental degree from an accredited school of dentistry; current unrestricted license from the Texas Board of Dental Examiners to practice as a dentist in the State of Texas; annual continuing education as required by the Texas Board of Dental Examiners; must be registered and have current DEA, DPS and other such certificates to legally operate a practitioner in the State of Texas; hospital privileges at designated area hospitals if required for specialty; current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for Healthcare Professionals Certification.Preferred credentials and experience include one (1) year of practice experience as a dentist providing direct patient care.Special requirements include the ability to lift and/or move more than 50 pounds. Requires full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients, manual and finger dexterity and eye/hand coordination. Requires sitting, standing and walking for extensive periods of time. Requires working under stressful conditions or working irregular hours. Requires frequent exposure to communicable diseases, body fluids, toxic substances, medicinal preparations and other conditions common to a clinic environment. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Ability to work with a moderate noise level in the work environment is required.