CHIEF DIVISION OF ORAL HEALTH

Chief Division Of Oral Health

To be responsible for the planning and administration of a statewide public health dental program for improving dental conditions among pre-school, school, and the adult population of the state; to conduct educational activities relating to dental health in schools, teachers' colleges and professional schools; to initiate programs for the public in education for dental health; and to do related work as required.

Works under the administrative direction of the Assistant Director of Health (Health Programs) with considerable latitude for the exercise of initiative and independent judgment; work is reviewed for the application of expected professional standards, principles methods for the application of expected professional standards, principles, methods and techniques, and for conformance to law, rules, and regulations.

Plans, organizes, reviews and evaluates the work of professional, sub professional, clerical and other personnel.

Illustrative examples of work performed:

• To be responsible for the administration of a statewide public health dental program for improving dental conditions among pre-school, school, and the adult population of the state.
• To conduct educational activities relating to dental health in schools, teachers' colleges, professional schools and public health meetings and seminars.
• To initiate programs for the public in education for dental health.
• To serve as a consultant to local Dental Clinics and demonstrate the latest dental care and practices, techniques and equipment.
• To establish and maintain standards of dental care for the statewide Public Health Dental Program.
• To assist in developing, and making available, facilities such as portable dental equipment for loan to private dentists in order to render dental care to the homebound and shut-ins.
• To initiate and promote dental health research projects of interest and concern to the public, such as the topical application of fluoride, the fluoridation of public water supplies and the scope, magnitude and effect of state dental health problems on the community.
• To coordinate the work of other dental programs which are tax supported such as those of the Department of Social Welfare.
• To assist in planning, conducting and analyzing research dental studies which include the Cleft Palate and Cleft Lip Dental Care Program, and the Dental Care Program for children with an intellectual and developmental disability.
• To continually evaluate the extent of dental services provided by the various communities and prepare reports containing findings, analyses and recommendations for improvement. To represent the Department of Health at conferences and meetings of public and private agencies relative to Dental Public Health.
• To do related work as required.

Required qualifications for appointment:

Knowledge, skills and capacities: A thorough knowledge of the principles practices and techniques of corrective and preventive dentistry and pedodontia and skill in the application of such principles, practices and techniques in the field of Public Dental Health; a thorough knowledge of the anatomy of the teeth and supporting oral structures; a thorough knowledge of clinical procedures and techniques as applied to children's dental health clinics and the ability to instruct and advise local dentists and other clinical personnel in such procedures and techniques; a thorough knowledge of specialized dental equipment, instruments and materials used in corrective and preventive dentistry in public dental health and the ability to instruct local dentists and other clinical personnel in the use of such equipment, instruments and materials; a familiarity with bio statistics and the ability to apply such knowledge in the collection, recording, analysis and interpretation of public dental health data; the ability to initiate, conduct and administer educational programs in public dental health and to initiate and conduct dental health research projects leading to the reduction and elimination of dental diseases; the ability to establish dental health care standards; the ability to prepare and present educational information orally and in writing; the ability to plan and supervise the work of dentists and clinic personnel; and related capacities and abilities.

Education and experience: Such as may have been gained through; graduation from a dental school approved by the Rhode Island Board of Education and accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency; and possession of a Master's Degree in Public Health or a certificate in Public Health from an accredited program; and experience: Such as may have been gained through: employment as a dentist in the field of pedodontia or as a dentist in private practice.

Special requirement: Must meet established requirements of the Rhode Island Department of Health to practice dentistry in Rhode Island and must maintain such requirements as a condition of employment.