General Dentist

High Country Community Health•Newland, NC

16d

About The Position

High Country Community Health is hiring a Staff Dentist to provide clinical dental services and preventive dental care in a community health center setting. The role is full-time and exempt, serving patients across the organization’s integrated care services in four counties in the Blue Ridge Mountains and foothills. The organization offers sign-on bonuses, competitive salaries, and assistance with student loan repayment through the National Health Service Corps. The Staff Dentist examines and diagnoses patients, provides or directs appropriate treatment, and makes specialty referrals as needed under approved clinical protocols and guidelines. The position documents patient encounters in the electronic dental record, supervises dental assistants and hygienists, and works with the Dental Office Manager to maintain a full schedule. It also contributes to oral health education, staff training, department policies and procedures, program planning, committee work, and community health education. The dentist reports to the COO and travels when necessary to meet organizational needs and attend meetings. The position requires an unrestricted North Carolina dental license, current CPR (BLS) certification, North Carolina DEA registration, and Medicare and Medicaid provider numbers. The dentist must maintain appropriate clinical privileges and obtain FTCA coverage or private professional malpractice insurance. Work takes place in a clinical environment and may involve prolonged sitting or standing, repetitive movements, irregular hours, stressful conditions, and exposure to communicable diseases and other clinical hazards.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited dental school.
Unrestricted license to practice dentistry in North Carolina.
Current CPR (BLS) certification.
North Carolina DEA registration.
Medicare and Medicaid provider numbers.
Ability to maintain appropriate clinical privileges.
FTCA coverage or private professional malpractice insurance must be obtainable.
Comprehensive knowledge of primary dental care in outpatient settings and of modern dentistry as related to community health organizations.
Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.
Ability to perform the physical movements and mobility normally associated with primary care dentistry on a repetitive basis.
Ability to distinguish letters and symbols and use telephones, computer terminals, and copiers.

Nice To Haves

Completion of an accredited general practice residency program.
Knowledge of community health principles and practices.
ACLS certification.
Hospital privileges.

Responsibilities

Examine patients requesting care, diagnose dental and oral conditions, provide or direct appropriate treatment, and refer patients for specialty consultation or treatment in accordance with approved protocols and guidelines.
Document patient-dentist transactions in the electronic dental record and complete required referrals, data collection instruments, and other records or paperwork.
Supervise the clinical work of dental assistants and hygienists.
Work collaboratively with the Dental Office Manager to maintain a full schedule.
Educate patients about oral health conditions and promote oral disease prevention.
Serve on the dental staff and other center committees as assigned.
Assist with continuing education, on-the-job training, and orientation of community health center staff as requested.
Help design, develop, and implement Dental Department policies, protocols, and procedures with the Dental Office Manager, in accordance with current accepted professional standards.
Provide technical assistance and health education to the community as requested.
Participate in short- and long-term planning for the Dental Department and agency, including developing goals and objectives.
Travel when necessary to fulfill the corporation’s needs and attend meetings to represent the corporation or Dental Department.
Maintain personal compliance with applicable federal, state, local, and center rules and procedures governing dentistry, clinical care, personnel matters, workplace safety, public health, and confidentiality.