Job Details

Temporary assignment under a 12-month contract.

Most of this role will take place in the HICHC West Dental Clinics and 10-15% of this role will take place in the School Based Health Program setting.

JOB TITLE: General Dentist

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

DEPARTMENT: Dental

SUPERVISED BY: Dental Director

I. POSITION FUNCTION SUMMARY

Under the general direction of the Dental Director, the General Dentist duties are in support of the mission, goals and objectives of Hawai'i Island Community Health Center. He/she performs professional dental care in the diagnosis and treatment of patients in scheduled and unscheduled; participation of dental education for non-dental clinical staff of the HICHC, supervision dental hygienists, engagement in public service addition to the administrative functions.

II. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This position may have various work assignments within HICHC. This description is intended to be generic in nature, and as such it does not detail all duties and responsibilities of the particular job assignment. Various duties, responsibilities and accountabilities may be assigned to an incumbent in this position depending on the specific job assignment, and may include but not be limited to the following:
• Provides diagnostic, therapeutic, and restorative dental services to patients.
• Reviews medical histories at every visit.
• Examines teeth, gums, and related tissues, using dental instruments, x-rays, and other diagnostic equipment, to evaluate dental health, diagnose disease or abnormalities, and plan appropriate treatments.
• Assures all pathologic conditions are charted and reported to the patient.
• Discusses caries risk assessment, diet, home care status and anticipatory guidance with patients and parent who demonstrate moderate and high caries risk.
• Develops a written treatment plan developed with all options explained to the patient.
• Holds informed consent discussions with all patients prior to initiating any treatment. This discussion will include an explanation of the planned procedure and any alternative procedures, disclosure of any significant material risks associated with any alternative, and responding to patient questions. Informed consent discussion will be documented in the patient's chart.
• Where appropriate, referrals are made to specialists or other health care providers
• Enters and signs all treatment provided in electronic record.
• Instructs dental assistants with chair side, laboratory, sterilization and radiology procedures.
• Administers anesthetics to limit the amount of pain experienced by patients during procedures.
• Uses air turbine/electronic driver and hand instruments, dental appliances and surgical implements.
• Designs, makes and fits prosthodontic appliances such as space maintainers, bridges, crowns, partial dentures, complete dentures or writes fabrication instructions or prescriptions for dental prosthesis to dental laboratories.
• Performs root canal treatments on anterior teeth, premolars or molars.
• Performs oral and periodontal surgery on the jaw or mouth.
• Applies and prescribes cavity-preventative agents such as fluorides and pit and fissure sealants.
• Writes prescriptions for antibiotics and other medications.
• Assures integration of patient education into all treatment phases.
• Provides consultation for dental hygienists when requested.
• Plans, organizes and maintains dental health programs.
• Produces and evaluates dental health educational materials.
• Responsible for supervision, mentorship and evaluator of dental residents.
• Provides general supervision for staffing and handling paperwork and insurance claims.
• Incorporates parent/patient into education regimen for every child 0-18 years old and children with special needs.
• Promotes and supports the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) primary care model.
• Other duties as assigned.

III. POSITION SPECIFICATIONS

Requirements of Position

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience
• Valid current license to practice dentistry in the State of Hawai'i.
• Experience working with community programs preferred.
• Must have a desire to work with children and adolescents.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Working knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment of dental and oral diseases.
• Working knowledge of the principles, standard practices methods and techniques of dentistry.
• Working knowledge of preventive dentistry and educational methodologies utilized in prevention.
• Skill in oral operative techniques and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients and staff.

Language Skills
• Ability to communicate with culturally diverse groups of people including staff, providers and patients.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients and their families to make their visit a pleasant experience.
• Sensitivity to the multicultural nature of the service area population and may be required to communicate in another language.

Personal Characteristics

Personal characteristics to include: a team player, high integrity, solution-oriented, communication and customer relations skills, regular work attendance, courteous and friendly, able to work well with diverse groups of people, and gain and maintain respect of others.

Confidential and Sensitive Information

Because the employee has access to personal and professional data regarding individual employees and their families, personal data regarding individual patients and the families, and/or sensitive company financial data, an essential job result is the maintenance of a high level of confidentiality of the information processed by the employee. Violation of this confidence may result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment.

IV. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS/WORKING CONDITIONS

General Remarks: The work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential tasks and functions.

Working Conditions: Dental Clinic environment with possible exposure to airborne and bloodborne pathogens.

Environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. There are no known environmental hazards on the premises. Work environment is often stressful. Work is mostly inside, and normal office worker safety precautions and practices are required. Incumbent may be exposed to

patients' conditions and some-unpleasant sights, smells and contagious diseases including virus, disease and infection from patients and specimens in working environment. All employees are offered the opportunity to receive the Hepatitis B vaccination series.

Equipment Use: Frequent use of telephone system and office equipment including but not limited to computer, printer, facsimile machine, copier, and general office supplies. Occasional use of wheelchair, gurney and other assisted devices for patient transfers in the clinic.

Work Hours: 40 hours per week, schedule may vary to accommodate events and program needs. Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotating shifts, standby, on-call). This position is exempt under the provisions of the Fair labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is not subject to the policies and procedures pertaining to overtime hours and premium pay. The foregoing position description is not all-inclusive of the duties that may be assigned to the employee. In order to ensure maximum flexibility and efficiency and to encourage cross training, employees will be assigned additional duties as deemed necessary or desirable by HICHC.

Mental Demands: Duties require attention to detail, alertness, problem solving, tolerance to stress and exercising sound judgment. Duties require high tolerance and adequate coping skills for dealing with loss, grief and bereavement. Good stress reduction and management skills are essential.

V. REMARKS

The foregoing position description is not all-inclusive of the duties that may be assigned to the employee. In order to ensure maximum flexibility and efficiency and to encourage cross training, employees will be assigned additional duties as deemed necessary or desirable by HICHC.