Dental Director

Position Summary:    Diagnose and treat problems with a patient’s teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth. Provide advice and instruction on taking care of teeth and gums and on diet choices that affect oral health. Ensure the care provided at all Pokagon Health Services dental clinics is high quality by participating in strategic planning, assisting in development of policies/procedures, and helping with initiatives and projects.

Essential Functions:

• Provide the overall direction, coordination, evaluation, coaching, and development of staff   This includes interviewing, hiring, orienting, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; providing timely feedback, appraising performance, and providing professional development opportunities; and rewarding and disciplining employees.  Proactively address and resolve staff concerns and explore and implement methods and procedures for improving departmental workflow and service to Tribal Citizens.
• Provides oversight of Dentists and works with Dental and Clinic Managers to provide guidance and direction for all dental staff.   
• Ensures quality & compliance standards are being met and provides overall direction and coaching if not met. 
• Works with Dental and Clinic Managers to ensure new Dentists are oriented to facility and properly trained in performing the necessary functions of their job. 
• Works with Health Director, Dental Managers and Clinic Managers to ensure dental staffing needs are met at all PHS sites. 
• Serves as primary preceptor for Dental students. 
• Oversees the dental functioning of all PHS dental clinics, leading staff at sites in providing high quality patient care and achieving excellent customer service. 
• Initiates and leads projects that improves dental services and develops best practices for PHS dental clinics. 
• Participates as a member of administrative team that establishes policies and procedures for PHS. 
• Member of PHS Quality Improvement/Quality Assurance team.
• Member of the PHS Compliance Oversight Group.
• Assists with preparation for audits/accreditations. 
• Participates in external meetings, collaborations, and projects when deemed necessary. 
• Participates as a member of the administrative team in strategic planning and organizing initiatives and projects. 
• Provides routine and emergency dental services, including but not limited to, diagnosis and treatment plans, general restorative procedures, crown and bridge construction, removable prosthetics, uncomplicated endodontics and minor oral surgery.
• Initiates and interpret x-ray and lab studies.
• Directly affects improvements in patient well-being through accurate and timely diagnosis and delivery of high-quality dental treatment. Ensure the delivery of competent, accurate, dental care and treatment to all patients as assigned.
• Ensure accuracy, efficiency, and appropriate confidentiality with patient charting and related recordkeeping and administrative functions as assigned.
• Ensure the delivery of all dental treatment and care is consistent with all regulatory, accreditation, and professional standards, including clinic policies and quality initiatives.
• Understand and ensure all practices and procedures related to the delivery of dental services are consistent with contracted protocols and procedures.
• Develop and ensure favorable relationships with all patients and their families. Ensure all patient services are delivered in a caring and professional manner.
• Develop and ensure ongoing, positive relationships and collaboration with other dentists and dental staff members. Ensure the success of each clinic operation through collaborative support and working relationships with all clinic operations staff.
• Refer patients for specialty care to other clinic programs our outside agencies as appropriate.
• Provide General and Direct Supervision to Dental Hygienists and Dental Assistants as described by the Michigan Dental Practice Act. 
• Provide dental and oral health education to patients and families.
• Build relationships and foster a high level of customer service. 
• Manage difficult clients and patients, demonstrating interpersonal savvy and influence skills. 
• Exercise professional judgment in the performance of services provided consistent with the organization’s policies and the standards of the dental profession. 
• Demonstrate high degree of knowledge and competency in the practice of dentistry and associated charting requirements. 
• Perform assigned dental tasks using high level of skills and ability.
• Administer anesthetics to keep patients from feeling pain during procedures.
• Write prescriptions for antibiotics or other medications.
• Make models and measurements for dental appliances, such as dentures, to fit patients.

Non-Essential Functions:

• Perform other related functions as assigned. 

Equipment:

• Standard medical equipment.  
• Systems used:  MS Office Applications, Electronic Dental Record
• Uniform requirements
• Protective gear requirements

Position Requirements:  

• Must be licensed to practice dentistry in any state in the US, with the ability to obtain Michigan Licensure within 30 days of hire. Must have successfully graduated from an accredited dental school and completed an accredited general practice residency program.  
• Ability to alleviate stress and anxiety and be supportive of persons and work tactfully, collaboratively, diplomatically and with highest level of confidentiality required.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Primary Dental Care in an outpatient setting is required. 
• Strong administrative, organizational and communication skills, both verbal and written are required. 
• Must pass comprehensive background and drug screening and provider credentialing.
• Supervisory experience in a clinical/dental setting is preferred.
• Five years’ experience in Dentistry preferred. 
• Experience working with underserved or Tribal communities preferred.
• Proficiency with MS Office Applications preferred.

Indian Preference:

• Pokagon Band Preference Code applies.

Physical Requirements: 

• Frequently required to use hands and fingers to operate equipment. 
• Frequently required to talk and hear. 
• Frequently required to stoop, kneel, crouch, and bend, and crawl. 
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision

Work Environment:

• Work in well-lighted, heated, air-conditioned building.
• May be exposed to blood, body tissue and fluids as well as hazardous substances/chemicals.
• Exposure to noise of agitated patients, significant work pace/pressure.
• Local travel is necessary, so the ability to travel as needed is required. 

Competencies:

• Client Focus
• Continuous Learning
• Partnering
• Exemplifying Integrity
• Teamwork
• Using Information Technology