Dental Director

Primary Function

The Dental Director serves as the chief clinical officer for White House Clinics’ dental division. A member of the organization’s executive leadership team, the Dental Director maintains responsibility for the quality of services delivered by dental clinicians and for the clinical outcomes of the division. Additionally, the Director represents the perspective of oral health clinicians in organizational decisions and provides insight on topics related to the oral health needs of patients and the communities served by White House Clinics. The position also requires 30 hours per week of clinical practice where the Dental Director will provide primary dental care in a community health center setting.

This job description serves as a supplement to the Dentist’s clinical job description and benefits.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES

Quality Assurance and Clinical Management

• Maintains responsibility for the clinical outcomes of the organization’s oral health services through regular monitoring of quality metrics and other indicators of performance.
• Dental Director will represent the Dental Department on the organization’s Quality Improvement and Risk Management Committee.
• Dental Director will communicate performance of the Department to all clinicians on a regular basis and work with the team to generate ideas for improvement.
• In conjunction with the Dental Service Line Manager and the COO, the Dental Director will implement and evaluate effectiveness of quality improvement activities.

• Develops, implements, and evaluates clinical policies, protocols, and principles of practice related to the oral health program in compliance with applicable laws and regulations and organizational policy.
• Accountable for involving the dental clinicians in development of procedures, health care standards, and clinical protocols to assure their implementation.
• Accountable for proper organization and maintenance of patient records.
• Reviews and responds patient grievances involving the dental department.
• With support of the Compliance Analyst and CIO, monitors risk through routine review of the department’s peer review results and the organization’s incident reporting system. Provides clinical leadership to both programs, assuring implementation of necessary corrective action(s) within the dental department.
• Remains current on developments of diagnostic and treatment advancements and regulatory changes impacting clinical practice. Informs clinicians and/or leadership team regarding the implication of these developments on care delivery within the organization.
  
  
  
Human Resource Activities


• Responsible for selection of dental clinical provider staff (clinicians) and expected to actively participate in the recruitment process.

• Evaluates credentials and current competence for dentists; recommends credentialing and privileging actions to Board of Directors.
• Reviews recommendations of the Dental Service Line Manager and makes final determination of privileges for OLCPs and OCWs working on the dental team.

• Accountable for assignment of dental clinician staff responsibilities and duties. Provides regular supervision of clinical staff directly or through delegates to ensure clinical policies, protocols, and procedures are implemented properly.
• Develops individual team members through coaching and provides feedback on regular basis. Address performance concerns in a timely fashion, documenting coaching or discipline conversations in accordance with organizational policy.
• Completes annual performance reviews on all clinicians.

Accountable for oversight of dental clinical staff development and for assuring appropriate continuing education and in-service training for the clinician and clinical support staff.

• Leads quarterly clinician team meetings. Responsible for developing an agenda that includes clinical education; discussion of departmental issues/concerns; updates on policy or process changes impacting the department; and communicates other relevant information of interest to the clinical team.
• Supports retention of dental clinicians by serving as the voice of the dental clinicians in organizational decisions. Advocates for change as necessary to improve job satisfaction of clinicians. Serves as a conduit of communication from Administration to clinicians to support understanding of business needs of the organization.
  
  
  

Planning

• Participates in short and long-range planning activities in support of the strategic plan and mission including identification of community health care needs and development of resources to meet these needs. Responsible for assuring appropriate clinician participation in the planning process.
• Collaborates with the CEO and other members of the Executive Team in conducting activities, establishing systems, and implementing programs to meet the goals and objectives of the strategic plan.
  
  
  

Financial Management and Budgeting

• Participates in budget development and financial management decisions as they affect patient care and the quality and quantity of clinical programs and services. Assists in development of budgets to assure adequate resource allocation and establish standards of productivity and performance.
• Provides input and assists Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer in establishing appropriate financial parameters that impact on the viability of the organization (e.g. fee schedules, productivity standards/goals, wage scales, etc.).
  
  
  

General

• Serves as a resource for colleagues on technical and procedural matters related to oral health.
• Attends meetings of the Board on a quarterly basis to provide clinical information and input to board decisions, to appraise Directors of dental clinical quality assurance activities, and to report important and relevant dental care issues.
• Responsible for assisting the Chief Executive Officer in representing the organization to patients, community groups and other organizations and agencies, particularly where clinical concerns are being addressed.
  
  
  

Job Requirements

Minimum Education

Completion of accredited D.M.D. or D.D.S. Program

Minimum Work Experience

Minimum three years of experience in a public health dental setting.

Required License

Full, unrestricted license to practice dentistry in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Qualifications

Successful applicants will be able to demonstrate skill in exercising a high degree of initiative, judgment, and discretion and must be able to analyze situations accurately and take effective action while establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with a diverse group of individuals with various degrees of training/education. Adept at planning and organization to prioritize activities and meet deadlines. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing to a varied audience; in particular the ability to lead groups to shared consensus and the ability to effectively communicate performance improvement needs. Skill in policy and process development. Preference will be given to candidates with previous leadership experience.

ORGANIZATIONAL EXPECTATIONS

Professionalism

Maintains competency and knowledge of current standards of practice, trends, and developments in related scope of practice through reading and in-services. Obeys appropriate dress code as specified in Employee Handbook. Provide superior customer service to all patients, external customers (office staff of other offices, hospital, community agencies, etc.), and co-workers. Serves as an ambassador of the White House Clinics in all conversations and interactions with these parties. Exceeds all expectations (e.g.; interaction with support staff, completion of work, willingness to accept patients, etc.) of dental providers working within the organization in order to serve as a model for direct reports.

Service

Demonstrates excellent customer service through his/her attitude and actions, consistent with the standards contained in the Mission and Vision and Values of the organization. Maintains clinic standards for a clean and quiet patient environment to maintain a positive patient care experience. Promotes culture of safety for patients and employees through proper identification, reporting, documentation, and prevention.

Compliance

Maintains compliance with organization’s policies, as well as established practices, protocols, and procedures of the position, department, and applicable professional standards. Complies with organizational and regulatory policies for handling confidential patient information. Adheres to professional standards, clinic policies and procedures (OSHA, HIPAA, Standing Orders, etc.), federal, state, and local requirements, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Inspector General (OIG), etc. Cooperates fully with all aspects of Corporate Compliance Plan and Standards of Conduct. Participates in all safety programs which may include assignment to an emergency response team.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Accountable to the Chief Executive Officer.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

The Dental Director will provide direct supervision to all dentists and dental hygienists.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position requires sitting, some bending, stooping and stretching. Eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, photocopier, telephone, calculator, and other office equipment are also required. Position requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to record, prepare, and communicate appropriate reports. Employees will be required lift papers or boxes up to 50 pounds occasionally.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in office environment and involves frequent contact with staff and the public. Position may involve dealing with angry or upset people. Evening and/or weekend work is required. Work may be stressful at times.

Travel Requirements

Frequent travel between clinics; some long distance travel for conferences, etc.

SALARY

Salary paid bi-weekly. Base salary is derived from a federally approved wage scale along with years of experience. Generous annual stipend for the Dental Director in addition to base salary.

WORK HOURS

Director will receive 10 hours per week of time dedicated to director work; however, the Director should expect to spend time each day fulfilling directorship duties (e.g.; answering emails, responding to questions from team, etc.). Additional time may be provided for projects requiring more intense participation or leadership from the Dental Director.

Dentist’s employment with WHC remains exempt from wage and hour laws, this position requires 40 + hours per week with an irregular schedule. Evenings will be required on a regular basis; weekend work necessary on occasion.

EVALUATION

Evaluated annually by the Chief Executive Officer with input from providers, colleagues, and support staff as appropriate.