DENTIST

GENERAL DEFINITION

This is professional dental work in the examination, care and treatment of teeth and oral tissues of patients in City dental facilities. An employee in this class is responsible for directing and supervising the activities of conventional and expanded duty dental auxiliary personnel and coordinate with dental hygienists and dental assistants in the team delivery of dental care. Work is performed under the general direction of a dental supervisor.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

Reviews health history of the patient; examines mouth and oral tissue, employing digital radiographic examination, diagnostic tests, laboratory tests, and other procedures necessary to diagnose diseases of the oral cavity in both hard and soft tissues.

Interprets results of these diagnostic procedures to develop a treatment plan.

Coordinates and directly supervises a group of conventional and expanded duty dental auxiliaries in the team delivery of dental care; instructs auxiliary personnel in the method of teaching patients and parents proper ways to maintain home oral hygiene; instructs and supervises auxiliary staff in the requisition of dental supplies and the neatness of dental equipment.

Administers local anesthesia; makes cavity preparation in decayed teeth and restores and/or supervises expanded duty dental auxiliaries as they restore teeth with appropriate filling materials; extracts deciduous and permanent teeth where indicated; provides dental prophylaxis, including scaling and polishing of teeth.

Provides continuous on the job training and re-enforcement of skills for auxiliary personnel.

Performs limited oral surgery services and root canal services; performs fabrication of nightguards, prescribes sealants, uses Electronic Health Records to submit data to uniformed data system (UDS) and billing, space maintainers, crowns, bridges and dentures as indicated; refers patients to specialized clinics when required.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

· the principles, practices and current developments of general dentistry

· the principles, practices, and current developments of pediatrics dentistry including space maintenance, preventive orthodontics, and growth and development

· digital Radiography and Intraoral Dental Camera for treatment of patients

· documenting and reviewing patient care using Electronic Medical Records

SKILL IN:

· the application of the procedures and techniques of professional dentistry

ABILITY TO:

· manage, coordinate and supervise a group of expanded duty dental auxiliaries and dental assistants in the team delivery of dental care

· instruct auxiliary personnel in the teaching of proper dental care and oral hygiene, requisitioning of supplies and maintenance of dental equipment

· obtain the confidence and cooperation of pre-school and school age children, their parents, and adults patients while rendering dental services

· apply sealants to patients and meet requirements of Dental Sealant Program

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 1/02.)

EDUCATION:

Graduation from an accredited school of dentistry with a degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Dental Medicine.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES

Possession of a valid license to practice dentistry in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania issued by the Pennsylvania State Dental Council and Examining Board prior to and during tenure of employment.

Class Established:

11/80

Spec. Revision:

CSC- 9/01

Ad. Board - 1/02

Spec. Revision:

CSC- 6/07

Ad. Board – 7/07

Latest Spec. Revision:

CSC – 12/18

Ad. Board – 2/19

Change in title and pay rate:

CSC – 10/23

Ad. Board – 11/23