Per Diem- Pediatric Dentist

Summary:

The Pediatric Dentist, operating under the general supervision of the Dental Director, plays a pivotal role within the SDAIHC team. This role involves diagnosing and treating a broad spectrum of dental conditions, including diseases, injuries, and malformations affecting the teeth, gums, and related oral structures in pediatric patients. The Pediatric Dentist is responsible for delivering exceptional care while ensuring patient comfort and promoting optimal oral health outcomes for children.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Primary Functions:

1. Conduct regular oral examinations and perform cleanings for pediatric patients.
2. Review and update each patient's health history in the electronic health record to assess their health status.
3. Diagnose and treat dental issues, including cavities, gum disease, infections, and misaligned teeth.
4. Perform preventative treatments such as fluoride applications, sealants, space maintenance, oral prophylaxis, nutritional counseling, and oral hygiene instructions.
5. Educate children and parents about proper oral hygiene practices.
6. Develop comprehensive treatment plans for addressing dental health issues.
7. Administer anesthesia, including nitrous oxide, for dental procedures as needed.
8. Provide emergency dental care and treatment for dental injuries.
9. Collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive care for children.
10. Manage dental anxiety and establish trust with young patients to foster a positive dental experience.
11. Monitor the growth and development of teeth and jaws, making necessary referrals.
12. Utilize specialized equipment designed for pediatric dental care.
13. Maintain accurate and thorough patient records.
14. Stay current with the latest advancements in pediatric dental care, .
15. Promote health, disease prevention, and education.
16. Make referrals for general anesthesia and orthodontic specialty care as required.
17. Refer patients to other health center departments as necessary.
18. Submit all monthly paperwork, compliance training, and reports to the Dental Director.
19. Assess each patient’s health status by reviewing their health history form in the patient chart.
20. Ensure quality control in documenting patient treatments in the electronic dental record.
21. Demonstrate the ability to be self-directed and serve as a team leader, fostering cooperation within the team.
22. Perform other duties as assigned by the Dental Director.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Degree in dentistry: Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.)
2. DEA in good standing
3. Experience working in a pediatric dental office setting.
4. Completed a pediatric dentistry residency program
5. Licensed to practice dentistry in the state of CA.
6. BLS Certification through the American Heart Association

Preferred:

1. Certification by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
2. Experience serving a multinational, multicultural population.
3. FQHC experience.
4. ECW HER.

Special Conditions of Employment:

1. Annual background check as a condition of continued employment, ensuring ongoing eligibility and compliance with organizational standards.
2. Submit to for-cause drug screening when mandated by the organization to ensure a safe and compliant work environment.
3. Maintain up-to-date compliance with all mandatory annual requirements; licenses, certifications, physicals, TB exams, and any regulatory training as assigned by SDAIHC.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Fostering professional relationships and maintaining a positive attitude with co-workers, patients, the public, SDAIHC staff, the Board of Directors and vendors.
2. Upholding the highest professional ethics, demonstrating honesty in interactions, and serving as a role model for all employees through their actions.
3. Showing a commitment to continuous learning and being open to exploring new methods and approaches.
4. Exhibiting enthusiasm for their work and a strong alignment with the mission of the San Diego American Indian Health Center.
5. Demonstrating a solid understanding of SDAIHC’s clinic structure, standards, procedures, and protocols.
6. Able to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Able to write routine reports and correspondence. Able to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.
7. Able to perform basic mathematical calculations necessary to perform the job function.
8. To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of electronic health and dental record software, database software, internet software, and Microsoft Office applications.
9. Able to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Able to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions related to the dental field.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

The physical demands outlined below represent those an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job, with or without accommodation.

1. Ability to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, or pull objects, including bodily movement.
2. Ability to sit at a desk and work on a computer for extended periods.
3. Ability to stand, bend, and reach for prolonged periods.
4. Strong ability to perform mathematical calculations, organize and prioritize workload, and work effectively and efficiently under stress.
5. Ability to supervise, multitask, and understand and follow instructions.
6. Manual dexterity, finger dexterity, and eye-hand coordination sufficient to carry out job duties effectively.
7. Corrected vision and hearing within normal range to observe and communicate with patients and staff.
8. Frequent use of wrists, hands, and fingers to operate dental equipment (e.g., dental handpieces, air/water syringes, ultrasonic scalers), handle cassettes, perform four-handed dentistry, and use computers and office equipment (e.g., phones, printers).
9. Occasional ascending/descending of stairs to access different departments.

Customer Service:

1. Actively supports, promotes, and works to uphold the Mission, Vision, and core values of SDAIHC.
2. Delivers exceptional customer service to both internal and external stakeholders.
3. Exemplifies SDAIHC’s Standards of Customer Service Behavior, including Compassion, Attitude, Communication, Appearance, Sense of Ownership, and Teamwork.
4. Participate in continuous customer service training to enhance skills and knowledge.
5.  Consistently strives to promote SDAIHC as a leading service organization in every interaction.

Quality Management:

1. Contribute to the organization’s success by actively participating in quality improvement activities.
2. Adhere to all SDAIHC policies and procedures while proactively supporting the implementation of new initiatives.
3. Participate in and support the ongoing quality improvement processes as directed by clinic leadership.

Safety:

1. Ensure compliance with regulations and adherence to policies and procedures related to safe work practices.
2. Actively participate in infection prevention by using appropriate infection control measures during patient treatment and interactions.
3. Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements for maintaining the safety of physical spaces, equipment, and supplies.
4. Use all appropriate equipment and tools to maintain workplace safety.
5. Immediately report on any unsafe working conditions.

Privacy/Compliance:

1. Ensures the privacy and security of all patients, employees, and volunteer information, granting access on a need-to-know basis for business purposes only.
2. Adheres to all regulations concerning corporate integrity and security obligations, promptly reporting any unethical, fraudulent, or unlawful behavior or activities.
3.  Always maintains the highest ethical standards.
4. Ensures the privacy and security of all patient and employee information, maintaining a high level of trustworthiness at all times. Access to such information is granted strictly on a need-to-know basis for business purposes only

Flexibility:

Per- diem position however will be available for all shifts and, when required, able to work evenings and weekends.

Disclaimer

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. This job description is subject to change at any time.

Preference is given to qualified American Indian/Alaskan Natives in accordance with the American Indian Preference Act (Title 25, U.S. Code Section 472, 473 and 473a). In other than the above, the San Diego American Indian Health Center, is an equal opportunity employer.

Preference is given to qualified American Indian/Alaskan Natives in accordance with the American Indian Preference Act (Title 25, U.S. Code Section 472, 473 and 473a). In other than the above, the San Diego American Indian Health Center, is an equal opportunity employer.

San Diego American Indian Health Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, religion, color, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability or any other protected class, political affiliation, or belief.