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 performs preventive, diagnostic, restorative, and basic surgical procedures; develops individualized treatment plans; educates patients about oral hygiene and disease prevention; maintains accurate clinical documentation; and follows applicable dental standards, infection-control requirements, and organizational policies. The Dentist works with dental assistants, dental hygienists, other healthcare professionals, and administrative staff to provide coordinated, patient-centered care and support efficient clinic operations. The position is full-time, regular, exempt, and onsite in Sacramento, California. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with rotating Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Travel is up to 25%. The Dentist reports to the Dental Director. The role requires a DDS or DMD from an accredited dental school, an active and unrestricted California dental license, current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, and current unrestricted DEA registration as applicable. Experience providing general dentistry is preferred, as is experience serving diverse populations or working in a community health center or FQHC. The work is primarily in healthcare settings and may involve exposure to communicable diseases, bloodborne pathogens, bodily fluids, medical equipment, cleaning agents, and other conditions common to healthcare operations. Employees must follow infection-control and safety procedures and use required PPE. Physical requirements may include prolonged sitting, standing, walking, or computer work; frequent hand and finger use; reaching and bending; and occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling of items up to 25 pounds. Successful completion of applicable pre-employment screenings is required.

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 laws.
Knowledge of general dentistry principles, 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 scope.
Strong clinical judgment, diagnostic, and problem-solving skills.
Effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex dental conditions and recommendations in understandable language.
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 and support patient-centered care, quality improvement, and professional development.
Ability to maintain accurate, complete, and timely clinical records and protect sensitive patient information in accordance with HIPAA and other privacy requirements.
Ability to follow instructions and clinical protocols, identify discrepancies and safety risks, report incidents appropriately, and maintain accuracy in clinical tasks.
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.
Ability to communicate professionally and provide equitable treatment to people of diverse backgrounds and identities.
Ability to perform the essential physical functions of the position, including occasional handling of items up to 25 pounds, with reasonable accommodation as applicable.
Successful completion of applicable pre-employment screenings, which may include a background check, Live Scan fingerprinting, and health screening.

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, crowns, and other indicated procedures 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, as appropriate.
Interpret dental radiographs and other diagnostic information to support clinical decisions.
Identify urgent dental conditions and provide treatment, stabilization, or referrals as appropriate.
Prescribe medications and manage dental pain and infections in accordance with clinical guidelines and applicable laws.
Refer patients to dental specialists when 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 before applicable procedures.
Develop treatment plans that account for clinical needs, patient preferences, and available resources.
Communicate respectfully with patients and families from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, and coordinate care with dental and medical providers when appropriate.
Maintain complete, accurate, and timely records, including examinations, diagnoses, treatment plans, 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, peer reviews, and compliance initiatives; maintain required licenses, certifications, continuing education, and credentials.
Collaborate with dental assistants, hygienists, and clinic personnel; 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 scheduling, treatment coordination, and efficient clinical workflows.
Participate in staff meetings, case discussions, training, and organizational initiatives as assigned.
Identify opportunities to improve patient satisfaction, clinical quality, productivity, and operational efficiency.
Support initiatives to improve oral health outcomes, patient access, and continuity of care, and support accessible, high-quality, nondiscriminatory, culturally sensitive care for underserved and vulnerable populations.
Maintain professional conduct, accountability, ethical decision-making, and respect for patients and colleagues; perform other related duties consistent with organizational needs.