Dentist

Summary Statement:

Dentists are integral members of the clinical team. The Dentist provides cost-effective services to low-income families and individuals, with a special focus on providing culturally and linguistically appropriate oral health services to the residents of the community. The Dentist must be committed to delivering timely, efficient, quality dental care to all patients in a professional, caring, and ethical manner.

Primary Responsibilities:

Clinical:
• Provides the following dental services for adults and children: scaling extractions, exams, periodical treatments fillings, and anterior root canals, and other dentistry services according to medical staff practice guidelines.
• Reviews results of lab tests and diagnostic imaging and arranges appropriate follow-up.
• Provides for the provision of oral health education and appropriately documents all health education.
• Provides medication prescriptions as appropriate.
• Demonstrates good judgment when a dental problem is beyond the scope of services provided in the clinic, making appropriate referrals and recommendations.
• Reviews referral/consultant reports and arranges appropriate follow-up.
• Participates in selected provider, staff and/or QI meetings as required.
• Other responsibilities and duties as assigned.

Administrative:
• Provides close supervision of the activities of the Dental Assistants.
• Is responsible for the actions of the Dental Assistants.
• Develops and maintains a list of referrals for procedures beyond the scope of services.
• Works closely with Dental Assistants to gather required statistics.
• Works closely with clinic senior management to determine appropriate co-pay for dental services.
• Assists the Dental Assistants in making appropriate arrangements for walk-in patients.
• Works closely with volunteer Dentist(s) to assure all required standards are met.
• Schedules volunteer Dentist(s) based on needed in-house services.
• Works with senior management when scheduling volunteer Dentist(s) services.
• Coordinates Dental Assistants' services for volunteer Dentists.
• Refers volunteer Dentists to Clinic senior management to initiate process of volunteering.
• Supervises volunteers assigned to dental clinic.
• Compiles with contract terms relative to licenses and insurance.
• Supervises collection and documentation of any fees collected by dental clinic personnel.
• Works closely with Dental Assistants to facilitate the scheduling for dental appointments.
• Utilize computer network to coordinate appointments for the dental clinic.
• Follows security policies and procedures when encountering inappropriate or threatening patient behavior.
• Follows security protocols for ensuring HIPAA compliance in dental waiting area and dental clinic.
• Respectfully reminds parents that they need to supervise their children and/or have a responsible adult supervise their children while undergoing dental treatment.
• Responds to, and documents all Unusual Occurrences involving patient care when Medical Director is absent.
• Responds to and documents all patient complaints and reports to the Medical Director.
• Responds to calls from pharmacies regarding prescriptions and refills as needed.
• Assists in training of support staff.
• Other responsibilities and duties as assigned.
• Quality Improvement & Enhancement:
• Consistently follows Universal Precautions.
• Develops and maintains a policy and procedure for cleaning and sterilization of dental instruments.
• Closely supervises the activities of the Dental Assistants to assure that cleaning and sterilization procedures are correctly followed.
• Consults with appropriate Clinic departments in the development of cleaning and sterilization policies and procedures and maintains standards equal to that of the Clinic.
• Develops and maintains equipment maintenance program utilizing appropriate Clinic resource.
• Develops and maintains policies and procedures pertaining to use of radiological imaging in the dental clinic.
• Consults with the appropriate Clinic management during the development of radiological imaging policies and procedures.
• Consistently inquires and record the possibility of pregnancy before utilizing radiological imaging.
• Consistently uses proper shield techniques.
• Develops and maintains appropriate systems for handling and disposing of x-ray developing solutions.
• Complies with Haz-Mat standards.
• Obtains and maintains a MSDS for all solutions and products used in the dental clinic.
• Investigates and develops, as appropriate, quality control procedures.
• Develops and maintains a schedule of routine cleaning and dental equipment (chairs, tables, etc.) using hospital approved solutions for this purpose.
• Participates in chart review and quality assurance activities as detailed in the Quality Assurance policies and procedures.
• Closely supervises the Dental Assistants to assure that a schedule of regular, thorough cleaning is done.
• Works closely with senior Clinic management in the development and maintenance of patient evaluation tool of dental clinic services.
• Encourages patients to utilize comprehensive primary care services at other Kheir Clinic locations as appropriate.
• Other responsibilities and duties as assigned.

Dental Records:
• Maintains current, complete dental records.
• Coordinates integration of system of record keeping consistent with the medical clinic system of record keeping.
• Maintains patient confidentiality.
• Other responsibilities and duties as assigned.

Supplies:
• Develops and maintains a standard inventory.
• Anticipates the need for supplies and notifies Dental Assistants on a timely basis utilizing the standard order form.
• Promptly notifies the Dental Assistants of supplies that need to be returned.
• Continues to maintain a good relationship with the vendors.
• Maintain current knowledge of new products available that may be appropriate for use in the dental clinic to increase quality of care.
• Other responsibilities and duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
• Current valid California License as a dentist
• Current valid DEA number.
• Graduation from an accredited dental school.
• Appropriate residency/dental training
• BLS Certificate
• Ability to perform emergency resuscitation
• Knowledge of OSHA needs and regulations.
• Minimum 3 years of experience as a practicing dentist
• Ability to coordinate dental office operations independently, with demonstrated ability to be self-directed.
• Ability to educate patients and family members. • Skill in written and verbal communication • Enthusiasm and willingness to promote growth and expansion of low and no-cost oral health care services for underserved communities • Knowledge of various practice management models, with the ability to creatively solve problems and develop practical solutions in an environment that includes varying and unpredictable circumstances • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the public • Compassion for the health of the underserved and uninsured communities • Experience in community clinic setting highly desired
• Bilingual in English/Korean or English/Spanish highly preferred, but not required
• Ability to lift and carry 25 lbs. 50 feet