Dentist

HEALTH AND LIFE ORGANIZATION INC•Sacramento, CA

16d•$188,200 - $211,800•Onsite

About The Position

The Dentist provides comprehensive, high-quality dental care to patients from diverse backgrounds, including underserved populations. The role includes preventive, diagnostic, restorative, and basic surgical procedures to promote oral health and improve patient outcomes. The Dentist develops individualized treatment plans, educates patients about oral hygiene and disease prevention, maintains accurate clinical documentation, and complies with dental practice standards, infection-control requirements, and organizational policies. The Dentist works with dental assistants, dental hygienists, other healthcare professionals, and administrative staff to support coordinated, patient-centered care and efficient clinic operations. The position is full-time and onsite in Sacramento, California. The schedule is Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, with rotating Saturdays from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Travel is up to 25%. The role reports to the Dental Director. The position requires a DDS or DMD from an accredited dental school, an active unrestricted California dental license, current BLS certification, and current unrestricted DEA registration as applicable. General dentistry experience and experience serving diverse populations or working in a community health center or FQHC are preferred. The role primarily takes place in healthcare environments, including medical, dental, behavioral health, and administrative settings. Employees may encounter communicable diseases, bloodborne pathogens, bodily fluids, medical equipment, and cleaning agents, and are expected to follow safety and infection-control procedures and use required PPE. The position involves periods of sitting, standing, walking, and computer work; frequent hand and finger use; reaching and bending; and occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling items up to 25 pounds. Employment is contingent on successful completion of applicable pre-employment screenings.

Requirements

Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from an accredited dental school.
Current, active, and unrestricted California dental license.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Current unrestricted Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration to prescribe or handle controlled substances within the authorized scope of practice, as applicable under state and federal law.
Knowledge of general dentistry, preventive care, restorative procedures, diagnosis, and treatment planning.
Knowledge of dental infection control, sterilization, radiation safety, and patient-safety practices.
Knowledge of applicable dental laws, professional ethics, documentation standards, and privacy requirements.
Ability to perform general dental procedures competently and safely within licensure and training.
Strong clinical judgment, diagnostic, and problem-solving skills.
Effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain dental conditions and recommendations understandably.
Ability to work effectively and respectfully with patients and coworkers from diverse backgrounds.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage appointments, clinical priorities, competing responsibilities, and patient flow in a busy clinic.
Ability to collaborate within a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
Commitment to patient-centered care, quality improvement, and professional development.
Ability to maintain accurate, complete, and timely clinical records.
Ability to follow instructions, identify discrepancies, and maintain accuracy in clinical tasks.
Ability to protect sensitive patient information and follow privacy requirements such as HIPAA.
Ability to follow clinical protocols, recognize safety risks, and report incidents appropriately.
Basic proficiency with computers, EHR systems, and standard office and clinical equipment.
Reliability, accountability, sound judgment within assigned responsibilities, and commitment to quality patient care.
Cultural sensitivity, professional communication, and equitable treatment of people with diverse identities, backgrounds, and abilities.

Nice To Haves

Experience providing general dentistry services in a clinical setting.
Experience serving diverse patient populations or working in a community health center or Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).

Responsibilities

Perform comprehensive dental examinations and assess oral health, teeth, gums, and surrounding structures.
Diagnose dental diseases, oral conditions, and abnormalities and develop appropriate treatment plans.
Provide restorative services, including fillings and crowns, within the scope of practice.
Perform routine extractions and minor oral surgical procedures within training and scope of practice.
Provide preventive services such as screenings, fluoride treatments, sealants, and patient education.
Interpret dental radiographs and other diagnostic information.
Identify urgent dental conditions and provide treatment, stabilization, or referrals as appropriate.
Prescribe medications and manage dental pain and infections in accordance with guidelines and applicable laws.
Refer patients to dental specialists when their needs exceed the provider’s scope or clinic services.
Monitor treatment outcomes and provide follow-up care as clinically indicated.
Educate patients about oral hygiene, preventive care, treatment options, and regular dental visits.
Explain diagnoses, procedures, risks, benefits, and alternatives in understandable language; obtain and document informed consent where applicable.
Develop treatment plans that consider clinical needs, patient preferences, and available resources.
Communicate respectfully with patients and families from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Coordinate care with dental and medical providers when appropriate.
Maintain complete, accurate, and timely patient records, including examinations, diagnoses, procedures, prescriptions, referrals, and follow-up recommendations.
Document services accurately to support billing, coding, reimbursement, and medical necessity requirements.
Comply with applicable laws, dental regulations, professional standards, organizational policies, privacy requirements, and HIPAA.
Follow infection-control, sterilization, radiation-safety, and workplace-safety procedures.
Participate in clinical audits, quality improvement activities, peer reviews, and compliance initiatives.
Maintain required licenses, certifications, continuing education, and professional credentials.
Collaborate with dental assistants, hygienists, and clinic personnel to support safe, efficient care; provide clinical guidance to support staff within the dentist’s authority and applicable regulations.
Communicate treatment needs, clinical priorities, and follow-up requirements to team members.
Support patient scheduling, treatment coordination, and clinical workflows.
Participate in staff meetings, clinical case discussions, training, and organizational initiatives as assigned.
Identify opportunities to improve patient satisfaction, clinical quality, productivity, and operational efficiency.
Support initiatives that improve oral health outcomes, patient access, and continuity of care, and advance accessible, high-quality, nondiscriminatory, culturally sensitive healthcare for underserved and vulnerable populations.
Demonstrate professional conduct, accountability, ethical decision-making, and respect for patients and colleagues.
Perform other related duties consistent with the position and organizational needs.