06/19/2002 33955

CHIEF DENTIST, DHS

DEFINITION: This is professional and administrative work in the planning, integration, coordination, and evaluation of statewide dental health services policies, procedures and programs for the Department of Human Services (DHS).

The employee in this class serves as the Department's Chief Dentist with agency-wide responsibility for the oversight of dental health services and the provision of clinical dental input into the development and implementation of dental health services policy. This employee serves as part of the Department's Clinical Leadership Team and provides a focal point for all dental health services policy, clinical dental coordination, and quality management for dental health services. Work involves developing and/or coordinating the development of dental health services policy to ensure consistent application across all Departmental program offices. Work involves providing consultative services to DHS executive staff and a variety of internal and external stakeholders; serving as the Department's liaison with other agencies and the dental provider community on issues involving dental health care services and treatment; monitoring the quality of dental care services delivered in state-operated facilities and the community service systems, or purchased through publicly funded care programs; evaluating dental health services practices of state-operated facilities and the community service systems; and overseeing the development and implementation of dental programs to meet the requirements of special needs populations. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Chief Medical Officer and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and evaluation of results.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Provides statewide direction in the development and implementation of policy guiding the provision of quality dental health services.

Directs the Office of Medical Assistance Programs' (OMAP) clinical and dental staff in the development of dental clinic policies and procedures.

Directs the processes and procedures required to assure the provision of high quality dental health services.

Consults with executives and program office and facility management dental staff and managers regarding dental health care practices.

Establishes standards of care and dental health services quality and risk management mechanisms for community and facility based programs.

Provides consultation to various program advisory committees regarding dental health care practices.

Serves as the Department's chief dental liaison with other agencies and the dental care provider.

Oversees programs designed to enhance the number of dental providers caring for special needs populations and the quality of treatment services.

Provides technical support to professional dental staff in the development of integrated medical quality management policies and procedures, dental guidelines, and issues of medical necessity.

Oversees dental clinic quality management programs for behavioral managed care organizations contracting with DHS.

Analyzes dental health care practices and practitioner performance by review of incident reports, evaluation studies, and credentials/privilege policy and procedures.

Identifies continuing education and training needs for dental health care professionals.

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

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the principles, practices and current developments in the field of preventative and corrective dentistry and oral health.

Knowledge of current developments in methods and techniques of dental care and treatment.

Knowledge of Federal and state laws, rules, standards, policies, and Departmental procedures governing the administration of the Commonwealth's Medical Assistance Program.

Knowledge of administrative practices, policies and procedures related to dental health services applicable to the care and treatment of people with mental illness, individuals with developmental disabilities, delinquent and/or dependent youth, and persons receiving care, treatment and support services in a community setting mandated and funded by DPW.

Knowledge of dental jurisprudence.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of program planning, policy development, and implementation.

Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate dental policies.

Ability to plan, organize and direct a dental health quality management program.

Ability to analyze, evaluate, and interpret dental health programs and practices and to make recommendations for improvements.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with state, local, and federal government agencies; dental health professional organizations; lay groups; providers; and the general public.

Ability to conduct training of professional and technical personnel.

Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely and communicate effectively, orally, and in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Graduation with a degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Dental Medicine from a dental school approved or recognized by the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry; five years of professional experience in the practice of dentistry; and one full year, within the past three years, in an administrative or
managerial capacity in a dental clinic, hospital or institutional setting for individuals/patients with a mental illness or physical and/or developmental disability, a public health agency, a managed care organization serving a significant Medicaid population, or an equivalent agency /organization;

and

Successful completion of 30 hours of continuing oral health education approved by the Council on Dental Education of the American Dental Association within the previous 24 months, and successful completion of

75 hours of post graduate education or training in health services administration or related management topics, as appropriate, within the past five years.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a current license in good standing to practice dentistry issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry and eligibility for certification to prescribe medication from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.