Dentist

Job Title:                    Dentist

Job Code:                   DENTIST

Division:                     Operations 

Department:              Dental 

Salary Level:             Professional 3 – Exempt 

Reports to:                 Chief Dental Officer

Last Revised:             September 2021

Primary Function

The purpose of this position is to serve as Dentist to provide general dental services to the designated population. The purpose of the work is to perform the necessary general dental treatment in an efficient and professional manner, meeting the diverse health and social needs of the patient population. The Dentist will perform all aspects of general dental treatment including complete and emergency examinations, interpreting radiographs, creating treatment plans and performing dental treatment for patients including routine dental procedures such as fillings, crowns, extractions, preventive, removable and other dental services to eligible patients. The Dentist will document clinical observations and treatment as well as adhere to industry standards and ensure proper compliance with federal, local and state laws. These procedures, which require independent judgment and skilled workmanship, affect the attitudes and well-being of the patients. They also affect the efficiency and overall attitude of the dental team. The ideal Dentist for this position will have exceptional technical skills as well as the ability to connect with patients to provide caring treatment within the mission of the CIHA.

Duties and Responsibilities 

• Duties involved in this position are clinical along with consultative, referral, training, quality assurance, and program planning activities.
• Provide preventive services including sealant, space management, fluoridation and oral hygiene instructions both clinically and community-based.
• Provide diagnostic services through the use of history, radiographs, clinical examination, diagnostic models and other appropriate tests.
• Must perform diagnostic tests (i.e. x-rays, photos and impressions of the teeth, pulp vitality testing) that are necessary to treatment plan.
• Provide both routine and complex dental restorative services including fillings and crowns as well as use of newer dental technologies such as CEREC to give patients state-of-the-art care.
• Provides endodontic, prosthetic, periodontal and oral surgery procedures.
• Provides emergency services including the treatment of trauma, pain and infection. Will be expected to treat emergency/walk-in patients when needed or during times of broken appointments or cancellations, including pediatric patients if needed.
• Provides dental services using local anesthetic, nitrous oxide, sedative medications or combination thereof to manage difficult anxiety cases.
• Completes limited, periodic, and comprehensive examinations on new and established dental program patients; reviews the patient’s medical and dental history; examines the oral cavity, head & neck and oropharynx of each patient for evidence of pathology; prescribes and interprets routine radiographs to identify soft tissues, tooth structures, and dental diseases and abnormalities.
• Collaborates with Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA) and external dental and medical teams to appropriately manage the treatment of patients with significant medical complexities and immunodeficiencies.
• Participates in community outreach programs including the EBCI Children’s Dental Program, Head Start Programs, and other events related to health promotion and disease prevention.
• The incumbent may be called upon to provide services at other than routine clinic hours for all patient populations. Works on a rotation with the other staff dentists to provide emergency dental call after hours, on weekends, and during holiday time-periods. May be called upon to provide dental expertise in after-hour emergency patients for CIHA hospital staff.
• The incumbent must be invested in new techniques and staff training to keep care “state of the art.” Researches current dental literature and participates in annual continuing dental education to meet state license requirements and to keep up-to-date on the most current dental materials, techniques, research findings, and standards of care in the field of dentistry.
• The incumbent is responsible for appropriate record keeping and documentation.
• The incumbent must have basic computer skills as to become proficient in the electronic dental and health records used at the facility.
• Be an active member of the Medical/Dental Staff of the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA) and credentialed by this body.
• Attends CIHA meetings as required or requested to be a resource and provide knowledge on the field of dentistry and/or current status of the CIHA Dental clinic.
• Be an active participant of peer review, performance improvement and quality assurance
• Abide by the Policies and Procedures and By-Laws of the CIHA.
• Support the mission, vision, strategic plan and goals of the CIHA and the CIHA Dental Department.

• The Cherokee Indian Hospital reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the business need arises.  

Education/Experience

• Incumbent must be a degreed graduate from an American Dental Association accredited dental program. This would include an undergraduate degree and a doctoral degree in dental practice: a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) degree.
• Salary level will be based on the applicant’s experience.
• Have current, unrestricted dental license in the State of North Carolina or current, unrestricted dental license in another state and be eligible for dental licensure in the state of North Carolina. Incumbent holding an unrestricted license in another state must obtain an unrestricted license to practice dentistry in the State of North Carolina within one year of hiring.
• The incumbent is required to obtain and maintain all certification and education requirements to annually renew their NC dental license once obtained.
• Six months to become proficient in the job, this would include pre-doctoral externship and post-doctoral residencies.
• Current BLS certification.
• Current DEA certificate.
• Post-doctoral programs such as formal residencies will increase the value of this employee to the CIHA Dental clinic.

Job Knowledge

• The incumbent must have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of dentistry, highly developed diagnostic skills, expert treatment planning ability, and considerable skill in administering treatment to patients with complex medical and dental conditions as well as anxiety related to dental procedures.  
• The incumbent must be able to relate the necessary skills and knowledge to the needs of a complex dental public health program.  This knowledge, skill and ability is normally gained through a degreed program, professional experience, and training pertinent to the specialty.  
• The incumbent must have the ability to utilize various computer programs to access patient information and to document treatment; and have knowledge of OSHA, CDC, EPA, State Regulations and HIPAA in order to ensure safety for self and others. Knowledge of hospital regulatory rules and regulations (i.e. JCAHO or AAAHC) will enhance the value of the employee to CIHA.

Complexity of Duties

The work requires an assessment of the oral health needs of appointed, emergent and emergency of those requiring dental services throughout the local Indian Community.  Identification of patients who should participate in the special dental programs is a requirement of the practitioner.  This would include public health, prevention, diagnostic, restorative, periodontics, endodontic, oral surgery and orthodontics.  Independent, mature judgment is required in dealing with: individual patients, parents and caregivers, developing treatment plans, and determining need for referral and consultation of complex cases.  A working knowledge of medical conditions and emergency care of compromised patients is required.

Supervision Received

The Chief Dental Officer of the CIHA provides general direction and administrative supervision.  The incumbent will clinically operate independently within the scope of his/her duties and credentials with minimal guidance from the Chief Dental Officer of the CIHA.  The incumbent will consult with physicians when there are medical conditions associated with dental treatment.  Incumbent independently examines, diagnoses, and treats commonly encountered dental diseases or oral health problems within the context and ability of the Dentist’s training, qualifications and experience. The incumbent’s work may be reviewed for overall efficiency, adequacy and appropriateness of the services rendered.

Responsibility for Accuracy

Guidelines pertaining to most intra-oral procedures are fairly specific.   Written guidelines consist of the IHS Oral Health Program Guide, IHS Clinical Specialties in Dentistry guide, professional texts, publications, and releases.  A copy of this document is available on-line at http.doh.ihs.gov.   Independent judgment is required in working with individual patients.  

Documentation of services provided must be accurate and timely.  Government regulations, compliance with grants and third party payers require the submission of accurate patient information to allow for appropriate reimbursement for patient visits.  The submission of false or inaccurate information would place the agency at risk for fraudulent claims resulting in the loss of agency certification and placing the dentist’s professional licensure in jeopardy.   Must maintain all OSHA, CDC, EPA and state regulations while performing services.

Contact with Others

Contacts are with patients (which include children, adolescents, adult and geriatric populations), parents/guardians/care givers, community representatives and employees of the facility.  Contacts with patients and parents/guardians/care givers are for the purpose of education, screening, preventive services (ie, oral health instruction), and dental treatment (including informed consent and post-operative instructions).  Contacts with community representatives are for the purpose of education and program planning appropriate to the community being served.  Contacts with other employees are to exchange information and allow for the efficient management of the program.  

CIHA physicians, mid-level providers, dentists and nursing staff may deliver care in a variety of settings including those outside of the facility.  Those setting may include but are not limited to community health fairs, community events, school sporting events, nursing homes, tribal jails, patient’s homes, etc.  The services provided will be clearly directed and supported by CIHA.

Confidential Data

Must adhere to all tribal guidelines, EBCI and CIHA policies and procedures for working with confidential data.  An above average degree of discretion is required while handling patient and related medical information.  Maintains confidentiality of all administrative, medical and personnel records, and all other pertinent information that come to his/her attention of knowledge.   Violation of such confidentiality shall be cause for adverse action.  The Privacy Act of 1974 and HIPPA Laws carry both civil and criminal penalties for unlawful disclosure of information.

Mental/Visual/Physical

Job duties can be mentally and/or emotionally stressful at times.  This position requires ability to effectively deal with stress.  The stress involved in treatment of apprehensive or uncooperative patients must also be considered.  Close mental concentration and attention to detail are required for most duties.   Must have visual acuity, manual dexterity, and the ability to speak and hear.  Long periods of sitting, walking, standing and bending are necessary. May occasionally move more than 15 pounds. 

Environment

The work is most often performed in the dental clinic or offices, however, the incumbent may also be called upon to provide services in the field including but not limited to schools, daycare centers, community events and nursing homes.   The incumbent is regularly exposed to communicable diseases, bodily fluids (including saliva and blood), radiation, airborne debris, waste anesthetic gases, and ultraviolet light and frequently wears surgical masks, gloves, barrier gowns and eye protection while performing clinical work.  Employee must be familiar with and comply with NC Statutes and CIHA policy and procedure relating to dental practice and federal and state regulations pertaining to occupational safety and health, infection control and EPA standards.   Employee is trained and expected to comply with all regulations controlling the practice of dentistry in this state.

Extent of Supervision

The incumbent is responsible for supervision of dental team members in relation to delivery of direct patient care.  The incumbent is responsible for supervision of students and volunteers who practice in the dental facility.  The incumbent may be asked to evaluate the performance of team members working under his/her direction and students on rotation at the facility.

Scope of Supervision

The scope of supervision includes all activities and actions related to the care and safety of patients.  The incumbent works under the supervision of the CIHA Chief Dental Officer.

Customer Service

Consistently demonstrates superior customer service skills to patients/customers by demonstrating characteristics that align with CIHA’s guiding principles and core values. Ensure excellent customer service is provided to all patients/customers by seeking out opportunities to be of service.