09/06/1996 33930

DENTIST

DEFINITION: This is professional dental work involving the dental care and treatment of patients, clients or inmates at a state facility.

An employee in this class performs responsible professional dental work in the examination, treatment and complete dental care of patients, clients or inmates in a dental clinic. Work may include the supervision of a dental clinic and its subordinate nonprofessional staff. Work may also include the coordination of on-site contractual dental services. Work is performed under the general supervision of a higher level dentist, medical or administrative supervisor.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Completes initial and ongoing examinations of patient, client, or inmate teeth and gums; completes and interprets x-ray results, renders diagnoses, administers local anesthesia or medication; and provides professional dental care involving restorations, root canals, periodontal treatments, prophylaxes, tooth extractions and other treatments; takes impressions, and fits and adjusts artificial dentures, bridges and crowns.

Provides coordination with hospital staff for contract vendors for patient, client or inmate referrals for dental treatments, including the evaluating of need and payment of contracted services.

Maintains charts of mouth and teeth, and records individual treatments for inclusion in individual records.

Provides consultation to clinical treatment teams, as needed.

Participates in the formulation of dental clinic policies and procedures in the areas of patient services and worksite environment, such as sanitation and universal precautions.

Provides preventive dentistry treatment through regularly scheduled appointments and in-service training of facility staff, patients, clients or inmates.

Provides input into dental clinic's capital equipment and personnel needs.

Orders necessary supplies and equipment.

Provides reports of quantitative services and qualitative improvement reviews of services performed.

Supervises dental hygienists, technicians, assistants and/or clerical staff by completing performance evaluations, processing leave requests and grievance/disciplinary activities, as appropriate.

Employees in this class may participate in the performance of their subordinates work consistent with operational or organizational requirements

Performs other related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the principles and practices of preventive and corrective dentistry and hygiene.

Knowledge of dental clinic requirements for the delivery of services and worksite environment requirements.

Skill in oral operative techniques and impressions, and in fitting and adjusting dentures, bridges and crowns.

Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with patients, clients, inmates, families, facility staff and vendors.

Ability to gain the confidence and cooperation of patients, clients or inmates, and to establish and maintain contact with facility staff and others.

Ability to supervise non professional staff, provide recommendations of equipment/staff requirements and provide quantitative/qualitative reports.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Graduation from an approved school of dentistry.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a license to practice dentistry issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry.