Dentist

Job Title

General Dentistry

Department

Clinical/Operations

Job Code

GENERAL

Supervisor

Founder/Lead Dentist

Location

GA, SC & TN

FLSA Status

Exempt

Grade

Version

02.06.2018

Job Description

Purpose and summary of role

As a licensed dentist, a general dentist provides general dentistry services, including the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth, gums and related oral structures.

Position Supervises

May supervise practice staff

Finances Managed

N/A

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Commitment to quality patient care and enjoy educating patients on dental health.
• Effective communication skills; demonstrates professional and courteous demeanor with patients.
• An excellent knowledge of and interest in science, particularly the science of oral health
• Good eyesight
• Good manual dexterity and a steady hand
• The ability to concentrate for long periods of time
• The ability to use specialist equipment
• The ability to communicate information about oral hygiene and treatments to patients in a clear and articulate manner
• A willingness and ability to relate to many different people
• A friendly, polite and helpful attitude towards patients

Qualifications (Experience, Education, Licensure, Certification)

• DDS or DMD degree, licensed in state in which practicing or have the ability to obtain licensure upon graduation.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate.
• Completion of a general practice residency (GPR) or advanced education general dentistry residency (AEGD) preferred.
• American Board of General Dentistry, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, etc. (if applicable)
• Current DEA Certificate (Drug Enforcement Administration) registered in state in which you are practicing – For South Carolina a CDS Certificate (Controlled Dangerous Substance) is required to obtain a DEA.

Working Conditions Additional Eligibility Requirements

• General Dentists work in areas that are highly visible and designed and furnished to make a good impression. Most work stations are clean, well-lighted, and relatively quiet. Work is sedentary in nature.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Perform General dentistry services, including the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth, gums and related oral structures.
• Examine patients to determine the nature of the condition affecting the patient, utilizing x-rays, dental instruments and other diagnostic procedures.
• Clean, fill, extract and replace teeth, using rotary and hand instruments, dental appliances, medications and surgical implements.
• Provide preventive dental services and education in oral and dental hygiene.
• Supervise office staff, including hygienists, dental assistants, receptionists and other office staff.
• Coordinate laboratory services for the dental office.
• Adheres to safety protocols and processes including but not limited to ensuring protective equipment is utilized and OSHA/Bloodborne pathogen requirements are followed.
• May participate in morning huddles, chart reviews and routine office meetings.
• All other duties and responsibilities allowed under applicable state laws and regulations.
• Apply ethical, legal and regulatory policies and principles to the provision and/or support of oral health care services.
• Apply principles of self-assessment, critical-thinking, and problem solving, and seek information to enhance professional competency.
• Develop skills to access, critically appraise, apply and communicate scientific literature as it relates to providing evidence-based patient care
• Perform comprehensive diagnostic evaluations and risk assessments based upon the application of scientific evidence with consultations as appropriate.
• Assess patient goals, values and concerns to establish rapport, guide patient care, maintain oral health and monitor therapeutic outcomes.
• Formulate multidisciplinary, comprehensive, sequenced treatment plans based on diagnosis, prognosis, and patient expectations, including discussion of risks, benefits and viable alternative treatment recommendations.
• Recognize the normal range of clinical findings and significant deviations that indicate oral pathology and that require monitoring, treatment or management.
• Recognize oral manifestations of systemic disorders, and systemic complications of oral disease, and seek consultations as needed.
• Anticipate, detect and manage medical emergencies that may occur in the dental setting.
• Assess, diagnose and manage pain, hemorrhage, trauma and infection of the orofacial complex.
• Select and administer or prescribe appropriate pharmacological agents used in the treatment of dental patients while being cognizant of and managing the potential for patient drug abuse.
• Manage patients with pain and/or anxiety using appropriate non-pharmacological methods.

Competencies 

• The ability to provide empathic care for patients and guardians, taking into consideration diverse backgrounds, disadvantaged, and other populations in a variety of practice settings.

• Apply ethical, legal and regulatory policies and principles to the provision and/or support of oral health care services.

• Apply principles of self-assessment, critical-thinking, and problem solving, and seek information to enhance professional competency.

• Develop skills to access, critically appraise, apply and communicate scientific literature as it relates to providing evidence-based patient care.

Work Environment

In their physical environment, dentists normally work indoors, while wearing a lab jacket or coat, and protective gloves, masks and safety glasses. These prevent the spread of infectious diseases, which dentists are exposed to daily, particularly as they work close up to patients.

Physical Demands

• You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
• Work in this occupation involves bending or twisting your body more than one-third of the time
• Work in this occupation involves use of protective items such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, lab coat and surgical mask
• Exposure to Blood Bourne Pathogens
• Requires getting into awkward positions
• Exposed to disease and infections more than once a month through work such as patient care, laboratory work, and sanitation control
• Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time
• Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
• Sound and noise levels are loud and distracting
• Work in this occupation involves making repetitive motions more than one-third of the time
• Work in this occupation involves sitting more than one-third of the time
• Work in this occupation involves use of special protective items such as a breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suit, or radiation protection

Position Type and Expectations of Work Hours

This is a full-time position or may be part-time. Practices are typically opened Monday through Friday; however, work days are covered in the Dentist’s Contract.

Travel

Some travel to various practices may be required.

Signatures

Employee signature below constitutes employee's understanding of the requirements, essential functions and duties of the position.

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Employee Signature                                                   Date

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Print Name (Employee)