Dentist

Job purpose

Heartland Community Health Center provides high-quality, patient-centered care. The Dentist/DDS provides diagnostic, therapeutic, and emergency dental services to patients while following OSHA requirements by assuring regulatory compliance. Participates in Heartland Community Health Center staff meetings and adheres to policy and procedures while also following rules of conduct as outlined in the employee handbook. The Dentist/DDS provides dental supervision to dental hygienists and dental assistants as well as the annual competency assessment for dental assistants and hygienists. The Dentist/DDS contributes to the development of dental specific quality measures and goals. This position must keep up to date with all current dental procedures. The Dentist/DDS also assures integration of patient education into all phases of the treatment plan. In accordance with HIPAA regulations, this position requires full access to Protected Health Information (PHI). Such disclosure is necessary to perform the requirements of the job. Confidentiality of PHI must be maintained.

Duties and responsibilities

• Employee is expected to work collaboratively within the department and with other departments to ensure patients receive quality care.
• Provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and emergency dental services to patients:
• Patient medical history shall be reviewed at every visit
• Pathologic conditions are charted and reported to the patient
• A written treatment plan shall be developed with all options explained to the patient
• An informed consent discussion shall be held with all patients prior to initiating any treatment. This discussion shall include an explanation of the planned procedure and any alternative procedures, disclosure of any significant material risks associated with any alternative and responding to patient questions. This informed consent will be documented in the patient’s chart
• When possible the approximate number of visits and the time to complete care is noted on the treatment plan
• Patients are first treated for pain and infection
• Where appropriate, referrals are made to specialists
• Document and sign all treatment provided in the patient’s electronic health record
• Meet clinical standards of practice as described in the Quality Assurance Program
• Participate in the quality assurance program at least bi-annually as one who is assessed
• Refer patient grievances that cannot be resolved to the CDO, Director of Human Resources or CEO of HCHC
• Assures integration of patient education into all treatment phases:
• Integrate dental hygienist in patient care as appropriate
• Discuss home care status and techniques with patients who demonstrate sub optimal plaque control
• Provide examination for dental hygienists when requested
• Incorporate parent/guardian into education plan for children
• Explain importance of maintaining appointment sequence to every patient
• Explain the need for maintenance of oral health as a priority to fixed prosthodontic treatment
• Community Health Center Responsibilities:
• Goal to treat 1.5 to 2.0 patients per patient facing hour in clinic and 2-2.5 patients per patient facing hour in community-based care setting.
• Able and comfortable treating all ages especially 3 years and older with decay. Limited access to dental care for children with KanCare or uninsured in our area.
• Act as liaison with community partners when appropriate
• Attend required meetings and participate in committees as requested
• Actively collaborate with administration, other support staff and providers of other disciplines (behavioral and medical) to deliver services in a new model of fully integrated, patient-centered, whole-person care
• Lock charts within 72 hours
• Complete assigned training in timely manner
• Complete quarterly peer-review
• Comply with all organization policies and procedures
• Limited telephone only on-call services as needed (typically 3- 5 nights/month)
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills required

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, patients, and the public
• Enthusiasm for working as a member of a team in a rapidly changing environment
• Knowledge of HIPAA privacy rules and regulations
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Excellent customer service skills and ability to interact with unsatisfied patients and coworkers effectively and respectfully
• Knowledge and experience with Microsoft Word Excel Spreadsheets, Windows, databases, graphs, and the ability to write reports and correspondence by using proficient grammar, spelling, and punctuation
• Must be able to document in a neat, legible manner and be able to spell dental terminology correctly
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, work under pressure, and prioritize workload
• Demonstrate effective and efficient time management
• Ability to anticipate and react calmly in an emergency is a must
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to follow written policies and procedures
• Ability to work independently and use good judgment
• Knowledge of standard office machines including copier, fax, multi-line phones, printers, scanners, etc.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of experience preferred
• Ability to relate well with patients and other health care personnel
• Willingness to educate patients and the community in oral health maintenance, the role of oral healthcare team, and the connections between oral health and overall health
• Ability to work under pressure
• Commitment to expanding access to care for the underserved
• Must have and maintain BLS certification
• Social and cultural sensitivity appropriate to ethnically and economically diverse patient and employee base.

Working conditions

• Interaction with others is frequent and can often be disruptive so the ability to multitask is important
• This is a medical office environment involving frequent contact with staff and patients. There will be exposure to airborne and bloodborne pathogens, and hazardous materials common in a clinic
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position

Physical requirements

• The position requires normal range of body motion, hearing, and eyesight to perform duties of the position
• Requires hand/eye coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate the x-ray machine, dental instruments, keyboard, photocopier, telephone, scanner, calculator, and other office equipment
• Employee must be able to write, speak, and hear. Employee must be able to read small print both on paper and on a computer screen for long periods of time
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus
• Frequent standing and walking required for extended periods of time (6-8 hours)
• Occasionally may lift and/or carry items weighing up to 75 pounds, bending, stooping, and stretching

Details

• Schedule: Full-time exempt— minimum of 32 patient facing hours
• Schedule may be altered by supervisor(s) as needed to allow for completion of expected duties of the position.