Legacy Community Health is a premium, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that provides comprehensive care to community members regardless of their ability to pay. Our goal is to treat the entire patient while improving their overall wellness and quality of life, in addition to providing free pregnancy tests and HIV/AIDS screening. At Legacy, we empower patients to lead better lives by promoting healthy behaviors and offering resources such as literacy classes, family planning services, and nutrition and weight management information.
Our roots began in 1981 as the Montrose Clinic, with specialization in HIV education, testing, and treatment. Since then, the agency has expanded to 10 clinics in Houston, one in Baytown, two in Beaumont, and one in Deer Park with extensive services that include: Adult primary care, HIV/AIDS care, pediatrics, OB/GYN and maternity, dental, vision and behavioral health. We also service students within KIPP and YES Prep schools. Legacy is committed to driving healthy change in our communities.
Job Description
The Staff Dentist is primarily responsible for providing dental care for the patients of Legacy Community Health Services, Inc. In addition, the Staff Dentist may be directed to perform other duties as directed by the Director of Dental Services in accordance with licensing, State and Federal funding agencies and other regulatory requirements, and in accordance with the policies and procedures established by Legacy Community Health Services (LCHS).
Job Requirements
- Educates patients and parents regarding preventative dental care, the causes and treatment of dental problems, and oral health care services.
- Analyzes and evaluates dental needs to determine changes and trends in patterns.
- Administers anesthetics to limit the amount of pain experienced by patients during procedures.
- Applies fluoride and sealants to teeth. Bleaches, cleans, or polishes teeth to restore the natural color.
- Designs, makes, and fits prosthodontic appliances such as space maintainers, or writes fabrication instructions or prescriptions for dental technicians.
- Diagnoses and treats diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth, gums, and related oral structures, and provides preventive and corrective services.
- Eliminates irritating margins of fillings and corrects occlusions, using dental instruments, including but not limited to, high speed drill, etc.
- Examines teeth, gums, and related tissues, using dental instruments, x-rays, and other diagnostic equipment, to evaluate dental health, diagnose diseases or abnormalities, and plan appropriate treatments.
- Conducts morning meetings with dental staff to ensure that everyone is on the same page regarding the day’s schedule, procedures, and patient load.
- Maintains comprehensive and accurate recordings, including but not limited to, dental clinical exams, diagnosis, treatment plans, and medical history.
- Provides quality care for all dental patients of LCHS.
- Adheres to the highest standards of dental practices, ethics, and professionalism at all times.
- Assists the Director of Dental Services in establishing dental policies, quality improvement procedures, evaluating current practices, and making recommendations.
- Recommends changes in all areas to improve patient flow, dental records, dental billing, and appointment practices.
- Supervises, directs, trains, and educates dental ancillary staff to perform their duties when necessary to understand policies, procedures, and protocols.
- Provides “emergency call” as scheduled by the Dental Director in accordance with protocols established in that regard and common and standard practices.
- Participates in community health events, such as school screenings, health fairs, social and community events, etc.
- Participates in the Performance Improvement Program.
- Must maintain a minimum of 12 hours of appropriate continuing education credit.
- Responsible for overall operation and outcomes of designated clinical department.
- Reports clinical concerns to Director of Dental Services, including but not limited to Scope of Dentistry.
- Ensures appropriate staffing of designated clinical departments.
- Filters same-day walk-in patients, including staff.
- Responsible for providing input toward hiring, performance reviews, and performance management.
- Ensures annual completion of appropriate competency checklist for direct reports.
- Assists Director of Dental Services and performs clinical activities as needed for staffing coverage.
- Ensures documentation of client care is accurate and timely within Centricity EHRS.
- Ensures all client complaints are resolved in a timely manner and forwarded to the PI Department.
- Ensures proper incident reporting in collaboration with the PI Department.
- Attends clinical staff meetings and educational lunches as assigned by Director of Dental Services.
- Participates in provider meetings for increased communication.
- Ensures good working order of medical equipment.
- Ensures scheduled compliance checks are performed for designated clinical area.
- Follows organizational policies, procedures, protocols, and adheres to OSHA standards.
- Participates in writing policies, procedures, and protocols for clinical area as necessary.
- Assists Director of Dental Services with direct ongoing evaluation of clinical services.
- Performs timekeeping through Time and Labor electronic system.
- Fosters a team environment to include support staff and providers, working within the context of a dental clinic, applying a team-based approach to care while promoting timely access to care, understanding of patient care that is culturally sensitive and language appropriate, continuity of care, and the improvement of the whole-person through the teaching of appropriate self-management skills.
- Maintains current knowledge/certification/licensure and pursues professional growth and development as evidenced by:
- Practices within legal boundaries of dentistry and according to Legacy policy and procedures.
- Attends continuing education programs in order to maintain licensure.
- Attends Legacy-sponsored training programs and meetings as required by department.
- Performs all responsibilities/duties required by the unit/department as defined in the scope of service, to ensure that the unique nature of the patient is addressed.
- Attends all required safety training programs and can describe his/her responsibilities related to general safety, department/service safety, and specific job-related hazards.
- Meets clinical competencies for age-specific competencies as evidenced during skill competency check-offs.
- Follows Legacy exposure control plans/blood borne and airborne pathogens.
- Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitors, and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible, and courteous environment.
EDUCATION & TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
- Graduate Dentist from an accredited dental school in the specialty of Dentistry.
- Must have a valid and active dental license in the State of Texas.
- Professional clinical dental experience in practicing dentistry.
- Authoritative knowledge of the practice and techniques of dentistry as a general practitioner in a community health center is highly desirable.
- Knowledge of Spanish is preferred.
WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
- Licensed Dentist with 3 years of clinical experience.
- Strong leadership, customer service, and spoken/written communication skills.
- Must have the ability to demonstrate self-confidence and a positive attitude toward self and others, maintaining commitment and enthusiasm to goal achievement.
- Excellent team player and communication skills required.
As part of values that Healthcare is a Right and not a Privilege, we offer a suite of benefits:
- Medical / Vision / Dental (Costs of benefits are based on your yearly salary).
- 9 Holidays + 1 Floating Holiday
- 403b Retirement Plan
- Bright Horizons Back-up Care
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
PTO Exchange will provide you with the option to convert a portion of your accrued but unused PTO hours for use toward several different benefits and causes, based on your own priorities.
With PTO Exchange, you can convert a portion of your unused PTO into:
- 403(b) Retirement contributions
- Student loan payments / Tuition for the employee
- Leave Sharing donations to fellow employees