The Dentist works under the general direction of the Dental Director.  As an employee of SDAIHC the general dentist diagnoses and treats diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth, gums, and related oral structures.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Primary Functions:

1. Diagnosis and treatment planning

2. Medical health history review.
3. Oral prophylaxis.
4. Non-Surgical Periodontics.
5. Health promotion/disease prevention and education.
6. Emergency care (as defined in the Policy & Procedure manual under “Dental Emergencies”).
7. Restorative and cosmetic dental procedures.
8. Oral Prosthetics.
9. Oral Surgery.
10. Endodontics.
11. Referrals for specialty care as required.
12. Referrals to other health center departments as necessary.
13. Responsible for the submission of all monthly paperwork and reports to the Dental Director.
14. Maintain all licensure requirements needed to perform these duties, including maintaining CEUs.
15. Attend monthly staff meetings and mandatory training or obtain trainings at a later date if unable to attend.
16. Maintain and follow all Safety and Infection Control guidelines set forth by SDAIHC.
17. Effectively utilize auxiliaries through open communication and dialogue.
18. Other duties assigned by the Dental Director as required.

2. Otherduties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

1. D.D.S. or D.M.D.
2. DEA in good standing
3. Minimum 2 years of experience.

Preferred:

1. Experience serving a multinational, multicultural population.
2. FQHC background.

3. Familiarity with Community Health Clinics and/or Indian Health Clinics.

3. ECW EHR.

Special Conditions of Employment:

1. CPR/ BLS certification: Maintain a current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA), the American Red Cross, or an equivalent AHA accredited organization.
2. Certification must include an in-person, hands-on skills assessment. Online-only certifications are not accepted.
3. Annual background checks: Consent to annual background checks as a condition of continued employment, to ensure compliance with organizational standards and eligibility requirements.
4. For-Cause Drug Screening: Comply with drug screening requirements when initiated by the organization for cause, to support a safe, compliant, and drug-free workplace.
5. Ongoing Compliance Requirements: Maintain up-to-date compliance with all required annual renewals, including professional licenses, certifications, physical examinations, TB testing, and mandatory regulatory trainings as assigned by the San Diego American Indian Health Center (SDAIHC).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
2. Excellent time management skills.
3. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
4. Ability to maintain confidentiality and meticulous records.
5. Effective interpersonal skills.
6. Able to deal effectively with a diversity of individuals.
7. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with all during the course of work.
8. Able to perform basic mathematical calculations necessary to perform the job function.
9. Must be reliable and extremely trustworthy. 

Physical and Mental Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job with or without accommodation.

1. The ability to lift and move items weighing up to 20 pounds and navigate between work areas as needed.
2. Ability to sit and work at a computer workstation for extended periods.
3. Physical stamina to stand, bend, and reach for prolonged durations.
4. Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks, perform basic mathematical calculations, and remain effective under pressure.
5. Demonstrated ability to multitask, follow instructions accurately, and provide guidance or supervision when required.
6. Sufficient manual dexterity, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination to perform job-related tasks efficiently.
7. Corrected vision and hearing within normal range to ensure safe and effective communication with patients and staff.

Customer Service:

1. Consistently models and promotes SDAIHC’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values through professional conduct, integrity, and dedication to service.
2. Delivers exceptional customer service in all interactions, building respectful, positive relationships with patients, colleagues, and community partners.
3. Exemplifies SDAIHC’s Customer Service Standards, including compassion, professionalism, effective communication, positive attitude, accountability, and teamwork.
4. Actively participates in ongoing customer service and professional development training to support continuous improvement and service excellence.
5. Serves as a positive ambassador for SDAIHC, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted, patient-centered organization through every encounter.

Quality Management:

1. Actively contributes to SDAIHC’s success by engaging in quality improvement initiatives aligned with HRSA performance measures standards, demonstrating a commitment to excellence in patient care and organizational effectiveness.
2. Adheres strictly to all SDAIHC policies, procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements, including those set forth by HRSA, FTCA, OSHA, while actively supporting the adoption of new initiatives that enhance service delivery and compliance.
3. Collaborates with clinic leadership and quality teams to promote a culture of safety, innovation, and accountability through participation in performance improvement projects, compliance audits, and risk management activities.  

Safety:

1. Maintains full compliance with all OSHA, CDC, and SDAIHC safety regulations, policies, and procedures, consistently prioritizing a safe and compliant work environment.
2. Strictly adheres to CDC-recommended infection prevention and control practices, including the appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, and standard precautions during all patient care activities.
3. Ensures the safety and integrity of the physical environment—equipment, supplies, and workspaces—by adhering to regulatory standards and conducting routine safety checks to support a hazard-free workplace.
4. Utilizes tools, equipment, and materials in accordance with OSHA safety guidelines, ensuring proper function, handling, and storage to prevent injury and reduce risk.
5. Promptly identifies and reports unsafe conditions or hazards to designated personnel, ensuring timely corrective actions and documentation in alignment with organizational and regulatory requirements    

Privacy/Compliance:

1. Maintains full compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and SDAIHC’s Code of Conduct by strictly limiting access to patient, employee, and volunteer information to authorized personnel on a legitimate need-to-know basis.
2. Protects the confidentiality, privacy, and security of all sensitive information with the highest level of integrity, ensuring trust and accountability across all business operations.
3. Demonstrates unwavering commitment to corporate compliance and ethical standards by adhering to all applicable federal, state, and organizational regulations, and by promptly reporting any suspected unethical, fraudulent, or illegal behavior through appropriate channels.
4. Consistently exemplifies professionalism and sound ethical judgment in all communications, decisions, and interactions, reinforcing a culture of integrity and compliance throughout the organization

Flexibility:

1. 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.

Acknowledgement

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.

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.