Dental Director

Sunset Health
Yuma, Arizona

JOB PURPOSE: 

Provides overall direction and coordination of dental affairs, including oversite of quality of care, serving as the principal coordinator and liaison with team members of the delivery system, providing oversite and direction regarding quality management, serving as the principal advisor on dental affairs, and supervising quality management, utilization management, and continuous quality improvement functions related to delivery of care and development/implementation of policy, provides comprehensive dental care to the Center’s diverse patient population. The Dental Director is also the oral health champion of the health center, and represents the health center in the local, state, and national dental communities.

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

·         Provides comprehensive dental care to the diverse patient population of the health center in a cost-effective and quality-oriented manner.

 

·         Exhibits excellent clinical skills, chairside manner, leads by example, utilizes self-awareness, compassion, and is an advocate for the health center’s oral health program both within the management team and with community partners.

 

§  Develops, coordinates, promulgates and enforces dental policies and procedures.  Educates the staff on the rationale and need for adherence to the policies. Guides the professional staff to deliver consistent standards of care according to polices and assuring clinical practices meet evidence-based standards of care.

 

·         Coordinates the ongoing implementation of the dental quality improvement/QA program by directing the chart auditing process as well as coordinating the dental QA program with the center wide QA program. The Dental Director must ensure the delivery of all dental care meets or exceeds the following:

o   The needs and satisfaction of the patients served.

o   All organizational and professional standards.

o   All clinical outcomes and related expectations

o   All productivity standards, goals, and expectations per national benchmarks.

o   All financial metrics associated with the efficient, cost effective, delivery of dental care services.

 

·         Establishes utilization review for dental referrals.

 

·         Devises specialty development strategies for the dental practice in order to maximize service potential.

    

·         Develops productivity criteria and monitors the performance of the dental professional staff.

 

·         Researches, assesses, and recommends the appropriate use of new technology in the treatment of patients.

 

·         Provides leadership and direction related to clinical collaboratives, studies, programs, or research related to initiatives that improve the lives of the patient population and the surrounding community.

 

·         Develops and coordinates practice guidelines for the treatment and management of dental disease and oral pathology based on national oral health guidelines and best practices.

 

·         Manages and ensures favorable relationships with the Bureau of Primary Health, HRSA, NACHC, NNOHA, local and state health departments, and other accreditation and related resources vital to the organizations continued success. 

 

·         Implements preventive public health strategies in order to maximize and comply with federal guidelines, best practices, and national benchmarks for community health centers.

 

·         Oversees the risk management function of the dental practice.

 

·         In conjunction with the Chief Executive Officer, recruits dental professional staff including general dentists, dental hygienists and dental specialists.

 

·         Acts as a primary liaison with the dental community. Develops a favorable reputation for the organization.  Develops effective working relationships within the local dental community as well as with third party insurance resources. 

 

·         Ensures compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, the Arizona Dental Practice Act, and standards of other appropriate accrediting or certifying organizations.

 

·         Ensures compliance with medical staff bylaws, rules and regulations.  Implements sanctions where indicated.

 

·         Provides supervision and direction to the dental professional staffing by orientation, policy presentation, counseling and feedback on job performance.

 

·         Monitors the job performance of the professional staff by overseeing the formal evaluation process.

 

·         Coordinates and supervises all aspects of in-house externship and residency programs to ensure compliance with all state regulations and accreditation/educational, standards; ensures that the Center’s goals and objectives for the program are being met as well.

 

·         Is available for consultation, when needed, regarding operational/dental practice management aspects of the practice.


·         Prepares and submits monthly written reports on Dental Department issues, concerns, program status, initiatives, and progress to Executive Director for reporting to the Board of Directors.  Attends Board of Directors and other meetings as directed by supervisor.

 

·         Assists in the provision of continuing education, on-the-job training, and the orientation of staff as requested. 

 

·         Assists in the provision of technical assistance and health education to the community as requested.

 

·         Travels when necessary to fulfill the health center’s needs and attends meetings as necessary to represent the health center’s oral health program.

 

·         Participates in the preparation of grant applications for the health center and assumes primary responsibility for developing and implementing the health center’s oral health program.

 

·         Oversees dental supply inventory, procurement, and equipment maintenance.

 

·         Participates in short- and long-term program planning for the Center’s oral health program, including the development of goals and objectives.

 

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

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.

  • Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) from a dental school accredited by the American Dental Association.
  • A Master’s degree or equivalent in Public Health, Health Care Administration or related field is preferred.
  • A minimum of five years’ experience working in a management capacity in a health care institution or agency is preferred.

·         Must be able to obtain a fingerprint clearance card. If not already obtained, Fingerprint.

clearance card application must be submitted within 5 business days of employment.

·         Must be able to successfully pass a background check and a health and drug screen.

  • Demonstrates knowledge of quality assurance and risk management standards and processes. 
  • Familiarity and experience with standards and processes established by CMS, OSHA, CDC, ADA, and other regulatory entities such as JCAHO and AAAHC.
  • Knowledge of federal and state regulations governing dental care clinical staff.
  • Familiarity and experience with systematic QA programs required.
  • Familiarity and experience with the Federal PCER process required.

 

LANGUAGE SKILS:

·         Ability to read, analyze and interpret complex documents.

·         Ability to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries and complaints.

·         Ability to write policy, procedures and memorandums in a concise, logical and effective manner.

·         Ability to make effective and persuasive presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, professional staff, and other groups as needed.

 

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

  • Ability to comprehend and apply principles of advanced statistical theory
 

REASONING ABILITY:

·         Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.

·         Ability to apply principles of dental practice management for troubleshooting and problem solving within the practice.

·         Ability to effectively deal with a variety abstract and concrete variables.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

·         Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMO) Degree from a school accredited by the American Dental Association.

·         A current Arizona State Dental License in good standing.

·         A current Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) License in good standing to prescribe drugs.

·         A current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Card (CPR)

·         Continuing Dental Education:  Must be current and updated in the number of Continuing Education hours as required by the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners for Re-Licensure.

 

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

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 disability to perform the essential functions.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:     Extensive knowledge of medical and dental office procedures.  Extensive knowledge of electronic patient management and medical record systems.  Ability to develop complex practice management/EMR reports.  Exceptional customer service skills required.    

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:  Ability to supervise and manage others.  Must be able to organize time schedules to fit variable demands.  Must have the ability to operate under stress and pressure.      

 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:   Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or equivalent field of study required; Masters preferred. The candidate should also have at least 10 years of continuous and recent business operations management experience in a health care setting; this experience should have been gained in an organization with at least 125 employees and should include the supervision of support staff.

 

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read, analyzes, and interprets documents.  Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.  Ability to write speeches and articles that conform to prescribed style and format.  Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.