Pediatric Dentist

POSITION TITLE: Pediatric Dentist

REPORTS TO (TITLE): Dental Director

SALARY RANGE: $220,000 - $290.000 DOE

Job Summary: Under the general direction of the Dental Director, the Pediatric Dentist provides dental care for infants, children and adolescents. Examines, diagnoses, and treats diseases, abnormalities, injuries, and dysfunctional disorders of the oral cavity and its associated structures in children. Examines child patients and interprets radiographs and diagnostic tests to determine type and extent of dental diseases and disabilities or dysfunctions. Evaluates findings and prescribes type, extent, and order of treatment required. The Pediatric Dentist restores health and function of carious, fractured, or otherwise defective teeth. He/she performs oral surgery, endodontic, prosthodontics, and interceptive orthodontic treatment on children. Counsels and advises patients and family on growth and development dental problems of the patient. He/she provides assessment and management by risk assessment (CAMBRA) and preventative services through the use fluoride, sealants, antimicrobial agents and saliva testing. The Pediatric Dentist provides behavior management techniques and instructs patient and family members on dental care. Formulates and implements procedures governing operation of the pediatric dentistry service. He/she determines equipment, material, and personnel required to accomplish treatment of children. The Pediatric Dentist coordinates with other dental and pediatric medical services and instructs dentists and technical assistants in pediatric dentistry procedures and techniques.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Examines infants, children and adolescents requesting care, diagnoses their dental/oral conditions, prescribes and carries out, or directs others in carrying out, appropriate dental/oral treatment.
• Records patient-dentist transactions as they occur in the patient's dental record so that the dental record accurately and completely reflects the nature of the contact, the condition of the patient and the care or treatment provided.
• Educates individuals in the nature of pediatric oral health related conditions and in the general promotion of oral health related disease prevention.
• Serves on the dental staff and other center committees as assigned.
• Assists in the provision of continuing education, on-the-job training, and the orientation of community health center staff as requested.
• Assists in the provision of technical assistance and health education to the community as requested.
• Assists in the coordination and integration of the corporation's pediatric dental programs and services with other corporate programs and services for the welfare of the corporation's patients.
• Responsible for personal full compliance with all applicable federal, state, local and center rules, regulations, protocols and procedures governing the practice of dentistry and the clinical provision of dental care as well as those relating to, but not limited to, personnel issues, work place safety, public health and confidentiality.
• Manages children and adolescent patients with behavioral problems or handicapping conditions.
• Appropriate selection and management of patients needing nitrous oxide sedation and/or use of a restraining device.
• Participates in the Dental Department's TQM committee and Peer Review Committee.
• Serves on the dental staff and other center committees as assigned.
• Performs all functions in full compliance with the center's and the Dental Department Exposure Control Plan including but not limited to the use of Personal Protective Equipment and Universal Precautions.
• As directed by the Dental Director, performs other related and/or necessary tasks to achieve organizational and programmatic goals and objectives.
• Demonstrates cultural sensitivity and ability to work with diverse patient groups.
• Consistently fulfills quality and production goals set by Dental Director.