Dentist

Job Summary: This is a community–based position that serves residents of the Pueblo of San Felipe and eligible American Indians and Alaska Natives. Performs professional Dental care, providing urgent and comprehensive treatment including clinical and radiographic examination of the oral hard and soft tissues, diagnosis of oral pathology or irregular conditions, restorative, endodontic, prosthodontic, periodontic, pedodontics, oral surgery, and preventive orthodontic services.

Essential Duties

• Coordination of Dental Health Department activities in accordance with Pueblo of San Felipe Tribal Administration and the Indian Service P.L.93-638 contract funding requirements.

• Advises San Felipe Health Clinic staff, Health & Wellness staff, Tribal Administration, and Tribal Council on matters pertaining to oral health and prevention of dental diseases.

• Refers dental patients to authorized contract dental facilities if treatment is beyond the training or scope of work of the incumbent dentist.

• Informs patients and community about good dental health practices and participates in community-based education programs including comprehensive dental activities for the Pueblo Head Start and the San Felipe Elementary School Dental Program initiatives.

• Coordinates necessary equipment maintenance for the San Felipe Dental Clinic

• Assists with the collection, analysis, and interpretation of statistical data applicable to the oral health Status of the Pueblo of San Felipe tribal members.

• Supervises dental auxiliaries, rating performance, rejecting or accepting work,

• Determines that appropriate policies and procedures are followed in the various dental activities, maintains contracts with related professional services and associations, and participates with other professional medical staff in determining dental policy for San Felipe Health Clinic.

• Provides education on oral health in community settings such as community meetings, classes, and training for tribal employees and San Felipe Health and Wellness Department and/or San Felipe IHS Clinic staff.

• Assists in developing new dental health programs including: development of school dental sealant program, etc. Update/revises current program policies and procedures as indicated by program evaluation or demographic changes in collaboration with Tribal Community Health Programs, San Felipe Diabetes Grant Program, Indian Health Service and other state and federal agencies.

• Develops and performs periodic Quality Assurance (QA) and Performance Improvement (PI) audits for San Felipe Dental Program, as needed.

• Provides supervision and management of the Head Start Oral Health Initiative to provide quality dental care and to assist the Head Start program in meeting the grant’s goals and objectives.

• Accomplishes other duties, as requested by supervisor(s), to ensure dental program requirements are maintained in a quality manner.

Additional Job Duties: *Note* This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions or to perform any other duties requested by his or her supervisor.

Working Conditions: Works in office. Sits for long periods of time and types. Frequent exposure to communicable diseases, body fluids, toxic substances, medicinal preparations, radiation, and other conditions common in a clinical environment may be encountered routinely.

May work Tribal, administrative, after hours, weekends, or events

Qualifications

Education:

A degree in dental medicine (D.M.D) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from a school approved by the Council on Dental Education, American Dental Association (ADA).

Experience/Basic Knowledge

Must have a basic understanding of Public Health principles, health education, health promotion and disease prevention, community assessment, and evaluation techniques.

Demonstrates ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with a wide scope of people including Indian Health Service employees, paraprofessionals, tribal groups, government agencies, private agencies, patients, and families.

• Familiarity with statistical data development and analysis.
• Ability to manipulate data and modify educational programs to be consistent with cultural requirements.

Working knowledge of Dentrix, Microsoft Office software including Windows, Word, Access, and Excel. Familiarity with Indian Health Service RPMS computer system including QMAN. Familiarity with the Internet and email services.

Required Licenses/Certification: Valid New Mexico Dental License

Physical Requirements: The work requires driving and involves standing, bending, and walking within the community, schools, clinics, and homes. Ability to drive a car in all types of road conditions. Lifting and carrying are necessary to set up equipment for special events, clinics, and teaching programs.

Preference: San Felipe Pueblo Preference. Qualified candidate who is local to the community/reservation and veteran-preference.