DIRECTOR OF DENTAL SERVICES

GENERAL DEFINITION

This is administrative work directing a comprehensive city-wide dental health program. Securing the cooperation of various professional societies and community agencies in specific phases of the program is a significant aspect of the work. Assignments require analytical thinking and are carried out in accordance with the functional precedents, practices and policies governing a city-wide dental health program. The incumbent in this class has controlling responsibility for implementing the total dental health program. Work is performed under the general direction of an administrative superior.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

Plans, develops and administers a comprehensive city-wide dental health program which includes such services as: restorative preventive orthodontic, orthodontic and endodontic care for school children; restorative, endodontic, periodontic and prosthesis services for young adults and adults as well as a wide range of home services for handicapped patients.

Establishes policies and practices governing the public health dental program including treatment, education, research; evaluates and makes revisions or adjustments in the program and particularly to adjust to the board scale program of the department.

Evaluates the fluoridation program and offers technical advice and consultation to those agencies and units participating in the fluoridation program.

Conducts staff meetings with dental supervisors to discuss professional and administrative problems relating to the program; offers advice where possible.

Lectures subordinate dentists on specialized phases of dental work; conducts services for interns and resident physicians, dentists, nurses and other community health workers on dental public health; acts as consultant to local health and welfare agencies and hospitals on dental public health problems.

Approves and revises plans for clinical and field research studies; formulates grant applications for submission to outside funding sources.

Organizes and directs a resident training program for public health dentists; conducts a summer training program for dental students.

Directs the activities of a large number of personnel engaged in providing dental health services to the community.

Prepares and administers the budget for the dental health program.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• the principles, practices, methods and materials of dentistry

• the principles and practices of public health administration

• the current literature and developments in the field of dental health

ABILITY TO:

• plan, administer and evaluate a multi-phased community dental health program

• plan and administer a comprehensive dental health program

• plan, assign and review the work of a moderately sized staff of dentists, dental assistants and clerical personnel engaged in carrying out specific phases of dental program

• instruct dentists in the principles and practices of preventive and public health dentistry

• present ideas effectively both orally and in writing

• establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the public

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 1/15.)

EDUCATION:

Graduation from an accredited school of dentistry with a degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery, or Doctor of Dental Medicine and possession of a Master's Degree in Public Health, Business Administration, Hospital Administration, Public Administration, or a related area.

AND

EXPERIENCE:

Five years of experience in the practice of dentistry, which includes at least three years of administrative and supervisory experience in public health or an organized group dental program involving the development and application of program standards and procedures as well as assigning and reviewing the work of dentists and auxiliary staff.

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

Eligibility for a license to practice dentistry in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania issued by the Pennsylvania State Dental Council and Examining Board at the time of application and possession of license at the time of appointment and during tenure of employment.

Class Established 1/53

Spec. Revision 5/85

Spec. Revision: CSC- 11/14

Ad. Board- 1/15

Latest Spec. Revision:

CSC- 10/15

Ad. Board – 10/15

Change in pay rate:

CSC – 10/23

Ad. Board – 11/23