Dentist

Dentist

Sacramento, CA 95820

Overview

Salary Range $188,200.00 - $211,800.00 Salary/year Position Type Full Time Job Shift Day Education Level Graduate Degree Travel Percentage Up to 25% Category Dental

Description

The Dentist is responsible for providing comprehensive, high-quality dental care to patients of diverse backgrounds, including underserved populations. This position performs preventive, diagnostic, restorative, and basic surgical dental procedures to promote oral health and improve patient outcomes. The Dentist develops individualized treatment plans, educates patients on oral hygiene and disease prevention, maintains accurate clinical documentation, and ensures compliance with applicable dental practice standards, infection control requirements, and organizational policies.

The Dentist collaborates with dental assistants, dental hygienists, other healthcare professionals, and administrative staff to support coordinated, patient-centered care and efficient dental clinic operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities described in this job description are intended to provide a general overview of the position and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all tasks, duties, or responsibilities. Management reserves the right to modify, assign, or reassign duties and responsibilities as necessary to meet organizational needs. Reasonable accommodation may be provided as necessary to perform the essential functions of this position.

Clinical Dental Care

• Perform comprehensive dental examinations, including oral health assessments and evaluations of teeth, gums, and surrounding oral structures.
• Diagnose dental diseases, oral conditions, and other abnormalities and develop appropriate treatment plans.
• Provide restorative services, including fillings, crowns, and other indicated restorative procedures within the scope of practice.
• Perform routine extractions and other minor oral surgical procedures within the dentist's training and scope of practice.
• Provide preventive dental services, including oral health screenings, fluoride treatments, sealants, and patient education, as appropriate.
• Interpret dental radiographs and other diagnostic information to support clinical decision-making.
• Identify urgent dental conditions and provide appropriate treatment, stabilization, or referrals.
• Prescribe medications and manage dental pain and infections in accordance with clinical guidelines and applicable laws.
• Refer patients to dental specialists when treatment needs exceed the provider's scope of practice or the clinic's available services.
• Monitor treatment outcomes and provide follow-up care as clinically indicated.

Patient Education and Care Coordination

• Educate patients on oral hygiene, preventive care, treatment options, and the importance of maintaining regular dental visits.
• Explain diagnoses, recommended procedures, potential risks, benefits, and alternatives in language patients can understand.
• Obtain and document informed consent before performing applicable procedures.
• Develop treatment plans that consider clinical needs, patient preferences, and available resources.
• Communicate respectfully and professionally with patients and families from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Coordinate care with other dental and medical providers when appropriate to support patients' overall health.

Clinical Documentation and Compliance

• Maintain complete, accurate, and timely patient records, including examinations, diagnoses, treatment plans, procedures, prescriptions, referrals, and follow-up recommendations.
• Document services accurately to support billing, coding, reimbursement, and medical necessity requirements.
• Comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, dental practice regulations, professional standards, and organizational policies.
• Follow infection prevention and control procedures, sterilization protocols, radiation safety requirements, and workplace safety standards.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and other applicable privacy requirements.
• Participate in clinical audits, quality improvement activities, peer reviews, and other compliance initiatives.
• Maintain required licenses, certifications, continuing education, and professional credentials.

Teamwork and Clinic Operations

• Work collaboratively with dental assistants, dental hygienists, and other clinic personnel to support safe and efficient patient care.
• Provide clinical guidance to dental support staff within the dentist's authority and applicable regulations.
• Communicate treatment needs, clinical priorities, and follow-up requirements to appropriate team members.
• Support efficient patient scheduling, treatment coordination, and clinical workflows.
• Participate in staff meetings, clinical case discussions, training, and organizational initiatives as assigned.
• Identify opportunities to improve patient satisfaction, clinical quality, productivity, and operational efficiency.

Quality Improvement and Organizational Responsibilities

• Participate in initiatives to improve oral health outcomes, patient access, and continuity of care.
• Support the organization's mission to provide accessible, high-quality, nondiscriminatory, and culturally sensitive healthcare to underserved and vulnerable populations.
• Maintain professional conduct and demonstrate accountability, ethical decision-making, and respect for patients and colleagues.
• Perform other related duties consistent with the position and the organization's operational needs.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification

Certification, Training and Education Requirement

• Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from an accredited dental school.
• Current, active, and unrestricted California dental license.
• Current basis life support (BLS) certification
• Current unrestricted Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration to prescribe or handle controlled substances within the authorized scope of practice as applicable by state and federal laws

Experience Requirement

• Experience providing general dentistry services in a clinical setting preferred.
• Experience serving diverse patient populations or working in a community health center or Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) preferred.

Skills and Competencies Requirement

• Knowledge of general dentistry principles, preventive care, restorative procedures, diagnosis, and treatment planning.
• Knowledge of dental infection control, sterilization, radiation safety, and patient safety practices.
• Knowledge of applicable dental laws, professional ethics, documentation standards, and privacy requirements.
• Ability to perform general dental procedures competently and safely within the scope of licensure and training.
• Strong clinical judgment, diagnostic, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to explain complex dental conditions and treatment recommendations in understandable language.
• Ability to work effectively with patients and coworkers from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage patient appointments and clinical priorities.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
• Commitment to patient-centered care, quality improvement, and professional development.

• Ability to maintain accurate, complete, and timely clinical records.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, manage competing responsibilities, and support patient flow in a busy clinic.
• Ability to follow instructions, identify discrepancies, and maintain accuracy in clinical tasks.
• Ability to protect sensitive patient information and follow privacy requirements such as HIPAA.
• Ability to follow clinical protocols, recognize safety risks, and report incidents appropriately.
• Basic proficiency with computers, EHR systems, and standard office and clinical equipment.
• Ability to demonstrate reliability, accountability, sound judgment within assigned responsibilities, and a commitment to quality patient care.
• Ability to work respectfully and professionally with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including individuals of different races, ethnicities, national origins, languages, religions, ages, genders, sexual orientations, gender identities, disabilities, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Ability to be cultural sensitivity, respect for individual differences, professional communication, and equitable treatment of coworkers, patients, visitors, and other individuals encountered in the course of assigned duties.

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to perform the essential physical functions necessary to carry out assigned job duties. Requirements may include prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, and/or working at a computer; frequent use of hands and fingers to operate office equipment; reaching, bending, and maintaining appropriate posture; and occasionally lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling items weighing up to 25 pounds,