Dentist - Pediatrics - $10,000 Hiring Bonus

Primary Function

The purpose of this position is to serve as Dentist - Pediatrics to provide dental services to the designated pediatric population. The purpose of the work is to perform the necessary pediatric dental treatment in an efficient and professional manner, meeting the pediatric needs of the patient population. The Dentist - Pediatrics will perform all aspects of dental treatment for pediatric patients, including young and/or uncooperative patients, to include comprehensive and emergency examinations, interpreting radiographs, creating treatment plans and performing dental treatment for patients including routine dental procedures such as fillings, crowns, extractions, preventive, and other dental services to eligible patients. The Dentist - Pediatrics will document clinical observations and treatment as well as adhere to industry standards and ensure proper compliance with federal, local and state laws. These procedures, which require independent judgment and skilled workmanship, affect the attitudes and well-being of the patients. They also affect the efficiency and overall attitude of the dental team. The ideal Dentist - Pediatrics for this position will have exceptional technical skills as well as the ability to connect with patients to provide caring treatment within the mission of the CIHA.

Job Duties/Responsibilities

• Duties involved in this position are clinical along with consultative, referral, training, quality assurance, and program planning activities.
• Provide both routine and complex dental services including fillings, pulpotomies, stainless steel crowns and extractions.
• Provide caries management with Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) and alternative dental treatment options such as Hall crowns and interim therapeutic restorations when conventional treatment is not recommended or possible in accordance with current public health principles.
• Provide preventive services including sealant, space management, fluoridation and oral hygiene instructions both clinically and community-based.
• Regularly treats pediatric patients with behavior and communication challenges including very young and anxious children.
• Provides dental services using local anesthetic, nitrous oxide, sedative medications or combination thereof to manage anxiety cases from the pediatric population.
• Completes limited, periodic, and comprehensive examinations on new and established dental program pediatric patients: reviews the patient's medical and dental history; examines the oral cavity, head & neck and oropharynx of each patient for evidence of pathology; prescribes and interprets routine radiographs to identify soft tissues, tooth structures, and dental diseases and abnormalities.
• Provides appropriate emergency dental services, including treatment of trauma, pain, and infection for children within the age range determined by current community and dental clinic needs. Will be expected to treat emergency/walk-in patients when needed or during times of broken appointments or cancellations, including adult patients if needed.
• Maintains a recall system for follow-up of chronic care or pathology patients.
• Collaborates with Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA) and external dental and medical teams to appropriately manage the treatment of patients with significant medical complexities and immune-deficiencies.
• Refers for specialist pediatric dental care when indicated and in the best interest of the child, including appropriate operating room (OR) referrals.
• Participates in community outreach programs including the EBCI Children's Dental Program, Head Start Programs, and other events related to health promotion and disease prevention.
• Collaborates with Family Safety to manage clients who need resources or have issues with dental neglect. Documents and tracks Family Safety referrals as defined by the program.
• The incumbent may be called upon to provide services at other than routine clinic hours for all patient populations. Works on a rotation with the other staff dentists to provide emergency dental call after hours, on weekends, and during holiday time-periods. May be called upon to provide pediatric dental advice in after-hour emergency patients.
• The incumbent must be invested in new techniques and staff training to keep care "state of the art." Researches current pediatric dental literature and participates in annual continuing dental education to meet state license requirements and to keep up-to-date on the most current dental materials, techniques, research findings, and standards of care as in the field of dentistry.
• Reviews appropriateness of current CIHA Pediatric Program equipment, instruments, materials, and techniques, and provides recommendations to the CIHA Chief Dental Officer.
• The incumbent is responsible for appropriate record keeping and documentation.
• The incumbent must have basic computer skills as to become proficient in the electronic dental and health records used at the facility.
• Be an active member of the Medical/Dental Staff of the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA) and credentialed by this body.
• Attends CIHA meetings as required or requested to be a resource on the topic of pediatric dentistry, preventative efforts and school screenings and/or current status of the CIHA Dental clinic.
• Be an active participant of peer review, performance improvement and quality assurance
• Abide by the Policies and Procedures and By-Laws of the CIHA.
• Support the mission, vision, strategic plan and goals of the CIHA and the CIHA Dental Department.
• The Cherokee Indian Hospital reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the business need arises.

Education /Experience

• Incumbent must be a degreed graduate from an American Dental Association accredited dental program. This would include an undergraduate degree and a doctoral degree in dental practice: Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) degree.
• Salary level will be based on the applicant's experience.
• Have current, unrestricted dental license in the State of North Carolina or current, unrestricted dental license in another state and be eligible for dental licensure in the state of North Carolina. Incumbent holding an unrestricted license in another state must obtain an unrestricted license to practice dentistry in the State of North Carolina within one year of hiring.
• The incumbent is required to obtain and maintain all certification and education requirements to annually renew their NC dental license once obtained.
• Six months to become proficient in the job, this would include pre-doctoral externship and post-doctoral residencies.
• Current BLS certification.
• Current DEA certificate.
• Post-doctoral programs such as formal residencies will increase the value of this employee to the CIHA Dental clinic.
• Pediatric dentistry experience preferred.

Job Knowledge

• The incumbent must have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of pediatric dentistry, highly developed diagnostic skills, expert treatment planning ability, and considerable skill in administering treatment to young patients with complex medical and dental conditions as well as behavioral challenges and anxiety related to dental procedures.
• The incumbent must be able to relate the necessary skills and knowledge to the needs of a complex dental public health program.
• This knowledge, skill and ability is normally gained through a degreed program, professional experience, and training pertinent to the specialty.
• The incumbent must have the ability to utilize various computer programs to access patient information and to document treatment; and have knowledge of OSHA, CDC, EPA, State Regulations and HIPAA in order to ensure safety for self and others. Knowledge of hospital regulatory rules and regulations (i.e. JCAHO or AAAHC) will enhance the value of the employee to CIHA.

Complexity of Duties

The work requires an assessment of the oral health needs have appointed, emergent and emergency of those requiring dental services throughout the local Indian Community. Identification of patients who should participate in the special dental programs is a requirement of the practitioner. This would include public health, prevention, diagnostic, restorative, periodontics, endodontic, oral surgery and orthodontics. Independent, mature judgment is required in dealing with: individual patients, parents and caregivers, developing treatment plans, and determining need for referral and consultation of complex cases which would be better handled at an outside facility if the Pediatric Dentist determines that the patient's complex behavioral, medical or dental treatment needs could not be treated in-house at CIHA or in the local OR. A superior knowledge of medical conditions and emergency care of compromised pediatric and/or special-needs, including adults, patients is required.

Supervision Received

The Chief Dental Officer of the CIHA provides general direction and administrative supervision. The incumbent will clinically operate independently within the scope of his/her duties and credentials with minimal guidance from the Chief Dental Officer of the CIHA. The incumbent will consult with physicians and pediatric dental specialists when there are medical conditions associated with dental treatment. Incumbent independently examines, diagnoses, and treats commonly as well as uncommonly encountered dental diseases or oral health problems within the context and ability of the Dentist - Pediatrics training, qualifications and experience. The incumbent's work may be reviewed for overall efficiency, adequacy and appropriateness of the services rendered.

Extent of Supervision

The incumbent is responsible for supervision of dental team members in relation to delivery of direct patient care. The incumbent is responsible for supervision of students and volunteers who practice in the dental facility. The incumbent may be asked to evaluate the performance of team members working under his/her direction and students on rotation at the facility.

Scope of Supervision

The scope of supervision includes all activities and actions related to the care and safety of patients. The incumbent works under the supervision of the CIHA Chief Dental Officer.

Responsibility for Accuracy

Guidelines pertaining to most intra-oral procedures are fairly specific. Written guidelines consist of the IHS Oral Health Program Guide, IHS Clinical Specialties in Dentistry guide, professional texts, publications, and releases. A copy of this document is available on-line at http.doh.ihs.gov. Independent judgment is required in working with individual patients.

Documentation of services provided must be accurate and timely. Government regulations, compliance with grants and third-party payers require the submission of accurate patient information to allow for appropriate reimbursement for patient visits. The submission of false or inaccurate information would place the agency at risk for fraudulent claims resulting in the loss of agency certification and placing the dentist's professional licensure in jeopardy. Must maintain all OSHA, CDC, EPA and state regulations while performing services.

Contact with Others

Contacts are with patients (which include children, adolescents, adult and geriatric populations), parents/guardians/care givers, community representatives and employees of the facility. Contacts with patients and parents/guardians/care givers are for the purpose of education, screening, preventive services (i.e., oral health instruction), and dental treatment (including informed consent and post-operative instructions). Contacts with community representatives are for the purpose of education and program planning appropriate to the community being served. Contacts with other employees are to exchange information and allow for the efficient management of the program.

CIHA physicians, mid-level providers, dentists and nursing staff may deliver care in a variety of settings including those outside of the facility. Those setting may include but are not limited to community health fairs, community events, school sporting events, nursing homes, tribal jails, patient's homes, etc. The services provided will be clearly directed and supported by CIHA.

Confidential Data

Must adhere to all tribal guidelines, EBCI and CIHA policies and procedures for working with confidential data. An above average degree of discretion is required while handling patient and related medical information. Maintains confidentiality of all administrative, medical and personnel records, and all other pertinent information that come to his/her attention of knowledge. Violation of such confidentiality shall be cause for adverse action. The Privacy Act of 1974 and HIPPA Laws carry both civil and criminal penalties for unlawful disclosure of information.

Mental /Visual /Physical Effort

Job duties can be mentally and/or emotionally stressful at times. This position requires ability to effectively deal with stress. The stress involved in treatment of apprehensive or uncooperative patients must also be considered. Close mental concentration and attention to detail are required for most duties. Must have visual acuity, manual dexterity, and the ability to speak and hear. Long periods of sitting, walking, standing and bending are necessary.

Environment

The work is most often performed in the dental clinic or offices; however, the incumbent may also be called upon to provide services in the field including but not limited to schools, day care centers, off-site hospitals, community events and nursing homes. The incumbent is regularly exposed to communicable diseases, bodily fluids (including saliva and blood), radiation, airborne debris, waste anesthetic gases, and ultraviolet light and frequently wears surgical masks, gloves, barrier gowns and eye protection while performing clinical work. Employee must be familiar with and comply with NC Statutes and CIHA policy and procedure relating to dental practice and federal and state regulations pertaining to occupational safety and health, infection control and EPA standards. Employee is trained and expected to comply with all regulations controlling the practice of dentistry in this state.

Responsibility for Accuracy

Guidelines pertaining to most intra-oral procedures are fairly specific. Written guidelines consist of the IHS Oral Health Program Guide, IHS Clinical Specialties in Dentistry guide, professional texts, publications, and releases. A copy of this document is available on-line at http.doh.ihs.gov. Independent judgment is required in working with individual patients.

Documentation of services provided must be accurate and timely. Government regulations, compliance with grants and third party payers require the submission of accurate patient information to allow for appropriate reimbursement for patient visits. The submission of false or inaccurate information would place the agency at risk for fraudulent claims resulting in the loss of agency certification and placing the dentist's professional licensure in jeopardy. Must maintain all OSHA, CDC, EPA and state regulations while performing services.

Customer Service

Consistently demonstrates superior customer service skills to patients/customers by demonstrating characteristics that align with CIHA's guiding principles and core values. Ensure excellent customer service is provided to all patients/customers by seeking out opportunities to be of service.