Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
4000 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85012

Salary: $130,000.000 to $155,000.00 

Grade: 1

Closing Date: August 13, 2026

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that helps Arizonans thrive? At the Department of Economic Security (DES), we strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life. DES is looking for individuals that are committed to service, community, and teamwork. To learn more about DES please visit des.az.gov; or click on the link here to view ‘Our DES’ video. Come join the DES Team!

The Department of Economic Security, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Public Health - Dental Director. DDD provides individuals with developmental disabilities and their families with services and supports that are flexible, high quality, and member-driven. These services provide individuals with opportunities to exercise their rights and responsibilities of independent decision-making and engagement in the community.

Applicants for this position cannot be licensed or certified by the DDD Office of Licensing Certification and Regulation, cannot have a principal interest in or have a spouse or close family with principal interest in a DDD Qualified Vendor Agreement, and cannot be employed or subcontracted by a DDD Qualified Vendor.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Provides oversight of dental services. Oversees the key performance metrics, policies, procedures, workflows, training, and auditing. Monitors and evaluates to ensure services meet professional and agency standards. Works closely with the Maternal Child Health (MCH) and Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) coordinators to submit deliverables related to dental and oversees the subcontracted health plans and operational reviews. 
• Provide clinical expertise in dental policy interpretation and communicate changes in AHCCCS policy, ADA codes and standards of care to members, subcontractor dental directors, dental vendors and providers. Attends and participates in all AHCCCS dental director meetings.  
• Leading and coordinating the dental activities the Division oversees, including review and denial of dental services, provider consultation, utilization review, and participation in tracking/trending of Quality of Concern (QOC) concerns related to dental services. Provides dental oversight and clinical guidance regarding appropriateness and medical necessity of dental care services to members, subcontractor dental directors, dental vendors and providers. 
• Oversees the Tribal Health Program and with the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) develops and implements key initiatives. Oversees the key performance metrics, policies, procedures, workflows, training, and auditing. Monitors and evaluates to ensure services meet professional and agency standards. Works closely with the tribal health nurse and tribal health coordinator to strengthen the program for our members with developmental disabilities. 
• Provides leadership, mentoring, coaching and direct supervision of Tribal Health Program (THP) staff and supports their ability to improve care for members with I/DD. Supports their individual roles/ responsibilities under the AHCCCS contract and supports their growth and development. Completes Performance Appraisals, authorizes leave, and approves employee timecards. Holds huddles,1:1s. 
• Evaluates existing services and practices and identifies opportunities for improvement. Explores new approaches to work processes by utilizing continuous process improvement techniques to eliminate waste and ensure resources are allocated to high-value activities. Leads on special projects. 
• Supports the CMO by representation in Committee meetings and work groups with DDD, State Agencies, Contractors, and other stakeholders. Develops communication plans with external providers such as sub-contracted health plans, vendors, and other organizations to facilitate plan goals and objectives. Strengthen and build relationships with stakeholders throughout the state and tribal lands. 
• Review and/or approve all provider and member disseminated dental and THP related materials by the Division and its subcontracted health plans. Assist with oversight of subcontracted vendor provider credentialing processes, related to dentists, along with the medical director/CMO, in adherence with AMPM Policy 950. 

Knowledge in: 

• Dental standards and regulations. 
• Public health services and care of children and adults with developmental disabilities. 
• Federal, State, local, and private funding sources and regulations related to healthcare management. 
• Budgetary strategies and principles of healthcare administration, including personnel management, public relations, financial planning, and human resource. 
• Managed Care Organization and Accountable Care Organizations principles. 
• Quality improvement and quality management care standards. 
• State and Federal program requirements for Title XIX, ICF/IID, ALTCS, AHCCCS, quality assurance, and utilization review. 
• Strong familiarity with Google Suite and Microsoft software.  

Skills In: 

• Demonstrate knowledge and skills with individuals across the life span and from culturally/linguistically diverse backgrounds. 
• Demonstrate continued growth and integration of knowledge, skills, and abilities/tasks of clinical practice.  
• Integrate and apply theoretical knowledge. 
• Evaluate their strengths and identify their limitations of individuals. 
• Refine clinical practice skills and seek guidance as necessary. 

Ability to: 

• Relate and deal effectively with clinicians, supervisors, peers, and others. 
• Communicate in writing, including report preparation using technical data. 
• Supervise and develop the potential of direct reports. 
• Analyze and interpret data and make sound decisions; develop and execute business and operational strategies. 
• Interact effectively with internal and external stakeholders. 
• Provide effective leadership and guidance to staff and maintain strict confidentiality. 
• Provide professional and community education with up-to-date evidence in the fields of developmental disabilities. 

The ideal candidate for this position will have: 

• A master's in public health and at least three years of experience in public health or Indian Health Services. 
• Experience working with people with developmental disabilities and behavioral health disorders. 

• The candidate must be located in Arizona and be an Arizona-licensed general or pediatric dentist in good standing. 
• If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver's license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver's license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to Driver's license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operated a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) (R2-10-201.11). 
• Successfully pass background and reference check; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the Agency's ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions. 
•  Employee shall have a valid Level One fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes 41-1968 in order to work with children and vulnerable adults. 
• Candidates for this position shall be subject to a search of both the Department of Child Safety Central Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 8-804 and the Adult Protective Services Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 46-459. 
• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). 

The Arizona Department of Economic Security offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and long-term disability plans
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child.
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Stipend Opportunities
• Infant at Work Program
• Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy
• Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page.

State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the State sponsored retirement contribution plan and the Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.

On, or shortly after, your first day of work you will be provided with additional information about the available insurance plans, enrollment instructions, submission deadlines and effective dates.

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact Laura Kaspar at (602)390-5549 or lkaspar@azdes.gov. 

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting (602)390-5549 or lkaspar@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.