VitalCore Health Strategies logo
VitalCore Health Strategies
Nashville, Tennessee

Dentist (DMD, DDS)

DentistFull-Time

Listed compensation

$70-$100/hr

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 57m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Join the VitalCore Health Strategies Team in Tennessee! We're people who are fueled by passion, not by profit.

VitalCore Health Strategies (VCHS), an industry leader in Correctional Health Care has an opening for a Full Time Dentist at Davidson Maximum Correctional Center in Nashville, TN!!

At VitalCore we pride ourselves on retaining and acquiring compassionate, dedicated individuals who are committed to providing quality services. Join our team and experience first-hand how VitalCore Health Strategies promotes a positive work environment that is based on respect and appreciation of the hard work and dedication of our staff.

Dentist (DMD, DDS) Benefits Package

  • Holiday Pay: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision Insurance
  • Health Savings Account
  • Life Insurance
  • Short Term/Long Term Disability
  • Identity Theft Protection
  • Pet Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program and Discount Center
  • 401K & Plan Matching
  • PTO
  • Annual Incentive Bonus

Dentist (DMD, DDS) Schedule

  • Full-Time
  • 32 HRS

Dentist (DMD, DDS) Position Summary

The Dentist provides dental services and directs patient, clinical examination of admissions and as indicated, treatment of patient's needs.

Dentist (DMD, DDS) Essential Functions

  • Perform and interpret radiographic exams as indicated.
  • Provide dental treatment to include emergency treatment of the teeth and surrounding soft tissues such as oral surgery, restorative dentistry and periodontal therapy within the scope of a general Dentist including extractions.
  • Correction of significant oral problems, which may adversely affect inmate’s health as, deemed necessary.
  • Make proper referrals for procedures which cannot be performed at facility.
  • Report any unusual occurrences or accidents to the site or Regional Medical Director. Attend training and meetings as required.

Dentist (DMD, DDS) Minimum Requirements

  • Maintains current DEA number.
  • Currently licensed in the state.
  • Must be fluent in English language, including reading, writing, speaking, and understanding.
  • Must be a supportive team member, who contributes to and demonstrates teamwork and team concept.
  • Able to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
  • Able to deal tactfully with personnel, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public.
  • Possess leadership and supervisory ability and be able to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel.
  • Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

We’re people who are fueled by passion, not by profit.

VitalCore Health Strategies is an equal opportunity employer and committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive workplace in which all employees have an opportunity to participate and contribute to the success of the business and are valued for their skills, experience, and unique perspectives.

keywords: DDS, DMD, Dentist, Dental, Oral Health, Corrections,

Key Responsibilities

The dentist provides comprehensive dental services, including clinical examinations, oral surgery, and restorative procedures for inmates. They are also responsible for directing patient care and making appropriate referrals for specialized procedures.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a current DMD or DDS degree and a valid state dental license. A current DEA number and the ability to work effectively within a correctional facility environment are required.

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Certifications

DEA License

Key Skills

Supervisory SkillsDecision MakingCommunication

Dentistry Career Context

Of the 50 active Dentist listings this role was benchmarked against, 38% have no call, 80% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Tennessee is 91.9 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$177k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $192k in an average-cost state. 58.6% of Tennessee clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Dentist by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$146k–$208kDentist median $98k (middle half $59k–$177k)66 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$192k in purchasing powerTennessee index 91.9 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Dentist listings in Tennessee95 active5,633 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 38% no call · 80% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentsign-on bonusUS healthcare professional listings: 21% state a sign-on bonus (median $10k) · 3% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Nov 2026
New Dentistry listings200 in the last 30 days213 the 30 days before (−6%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Location & Logistics

Tennessee has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$177k midpoint, that is roughly $7k–$12k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.

Top Dentist Jobs

21 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

21 jobs · 16 employers
3
<$250k
4
$250k-300k
9
$300k-350k
2
$350k
3
$400k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

17 jobs · 16 employers
401k / retirement match
71% this job
CME allowance
65%
Sign-on bonus
29% this job
Visa sponsorship
24%
Loan repayment
6%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

General Dentist

Rodeo Dental & Orthodontics · Waco, Texas

$300k-$500k
#2

Dentist

Westphalia Holdings · Memphis, Tennessee

$230k-$461k
#3

General Dentist

$200k-$400k
#4

Part Time Dentist

$250k-$350k
+ 19 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 3.0this job 1.5
Better work-life than 20% of Dentist listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 3,154 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

VitalCore Health Strategies logo

About VitalCore Health Strategies

Hospitals and Health Care
Topeka, Kansas
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Holiday Pay
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Health Savings Account
Life Insurance
Short Term/Long Term Disability
Identity Theft Protection

Living in Nashville

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$409k
Typical market rent
$1,820/mo
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
96.3
State income tax
None
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026).

BEA 2024 · Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.