Chief Dental Officer

Are you passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of others? Join our team at United Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve. We are seeking compassionate, mission-driven individuals committed to providing quality, accessible care and making a positive impact every day. In addition to meaningful, rewarding work, we offer generous paid time off and annual paid holidays. If you are looking for an opportunity to grow your career while serving your community, we invite you to explore our open positions and join our mission!
Division: Dental
Department: Dental
Position Title: Chief Dental Officer
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer
FLSA: Exempt
Essential Functions
Must be able to perform the essential functions of the job as listed below:
Chief Dental Officer Summary
Responsible for the administration of the dental department. Manages the internal affairs of the dental department. Participates in financial planning, long range planning, dental program policy development and community and interagency relations.
Primary duties and responsibilities
-Administrative
· Develops the organizational plan for the dental clinic operations and provide for efficient use of personnel in the application of multiple health skills (disciplines) to community and individual health problems.
· Participates in community organization activities designed to modify community health behavior, epidemiology, and or/needs.
· Develops and presents the dental clinical activity budget, including staffing and support plan and equipment needs projection.
· Prepares and recommends qualifications, job descriptions and evaluation standards for call dental staff.
· Works with human resources to recruit dental clinical staff, interview all potential clinical staff, prepare recommendations for hiring and firing for the review and approval of the CEO.
· Serves as a primary rater for all dental clinical personnel evaluations; reviews patient satisfaction surveys and functions as first level patient compliant resolution focal point.
· Participates in periodic management review by project administration.
-Quality Control/ Safety
· Performs all the duties described for the staff dentist. Assess the number of encounters and procedures performed. Observes the work of all dental staff.
· Recommends clinical objectives and participates in the designation of priority objectives for the health center with reference to implementation of the health care plan.
-Operations
· Arranges and conducts regular meetings of dental clinical staff. Provides on-site day-to-day dental clinical supervision of staff.
· Coordinates dental programs and services needs with other components, goals and activities of the overall UHC program.
· Represents dental program management in health center administrative meetings and, under the supervision of the CEO in the community and board meetings.
· Maintains advice and consent functions regarding the responsibilities and privileges of ancillary (e.g., laboratory, x-ray, and pharmacy) services.
· Participates in the development of health risk management protocols. Institutes efficient mechanisms for purchase and maintenance of dental supplies and equipment.
· Schedules dental assignment rotations and leave as necessary to ensure continuous dental services.
· Institutes and manages continuing professional education, in-service training, and orientation of clinical staff.
· Performs any other duties as assigned or needed.
-Customer Service
· Demonstrates concern for the rights, privacy and confidentiality of patients and others.
· Understands the urgency of customer needs and responds quickly.
· Treats all patients in accordance with the patient’s bill of rights.
· Considers the impact on patients, visitors, and peers when taking action and carrying out one’s own job tasks.
· Anticipates the needs of patients, visitors, providers and peers and assists them in a helpful, positive manner.
· Seeks to solve problems for patients and their families and offers assistance and encouragement to others.
· Communicates with patients/families, visitors and coworkers in a courteous and respectful manner.
· Demonstrates effective communication recognizing diversity among age groups, cultures, and educational levels.
-Teamwork
· Consistently works in a positive and cooperative manner with other employees in and outside of departmental unit.
· Values and incorporates the contributions of people from diverse backgrounds; demonstrates respect for the opinions and ideas of others.
· Assist in training and orientation of new staff.
· Shares information and own expertise with others to enable them to accomplish goals and objectives.
· Seeks out opportunities to help rather than waiting to be asked.
· Assist other team members in the performance of their assignment.
-Professional Conduct
· Maintains professional demeanor in all interactions with patients and staff.
· Functions independently and completes assignments with minimal supervision.
· Adapts to changes in the work environment.
· Maintains acceptable attendance record.
· Observes work schedule by being punctual for shift, observing designated break schedule, and not leaving work area while on duty.
· Adheres to all applicable center and department rules, policies, and procedures.
· Participates in continuing education, in-services, staff development and meeting.
· Has completed annual retraining.
· Responds positively constructive criticism from peers and supervisors.
-Efficiency
· Completes work in an organized and timely manner.
· Prioritizes and plans wok activities to achieve maximum efficiency.
· Meets productivity standards.
· Strives to improve productivity.
· Minimize non-productive time by filing slow periods with activities such as assisting others professional development and education, organization of work area, housekeeping, etc.
· Organize job functions and work area to effectively complete assignments.
· Manage resources efficiently and works to reduce costs and improve quality.
-Quality of work/ Problem solving
· Demonstrates commitment to excellence by consistently looking for ways to improve and promote quality.
· Identifies problems in a timely manner and develops alternative solutions to problems.
· Contribute to continuous Quality Improvement activities
· Reports to appropriate person and conflicting cultural values, ethics, or religious beliefs that may impact patient care.
· Consistently evaluates work and evaluate if further steps are needed to meet customer/patient/management expectations.
· Demonstrates sound judgement by taking appropriate actions regarding questionable findings or concerns.
Corporate Compliance: It is and essential job element that everyone be compliant with the full law and fully cooperates with the compliance program without fear of retaliations from the organization.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organizations’ policies and procedures as well as applicable North Carolina law(s).
Qualification Requirements: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skills, and/or ability required:
· Knowledge of standards of practice and procedures in a dental clinic
· Possesses the ability to communicate effectively with patients, staff and community groups.
· Possesses the ability to understand technical and medical terminology as they relate to dentistry.
Education and/or Experience:
· Graduate of the School of dentistry recognized by the Council on Education American Dental Association.
· Licensed to practice dentistry in NC.
· A Master’s Degree from an accredited university/ college in Health Administration or equivalent and experience as a dentist in community health center.
· Ability to work with and maintain the dental staff.
· Ability to recruit qualified dental staff.
· Ability to plan and evaluate patient care policies and dental quality assurance program.
· Excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to supervise staff, resolve conflicts, evaluate performance and maintain focus on organizational goals.
Interpersonal Skills:
· Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
· Excellent telephone etiquette.
· Teamwork and communication skills essential.
· Treat all patients, co-workers, and managers with courtesy and respect.
Mental Abilities:
· Cognitive reasoning- clear thinking in high pressure situations.
· Ability to prioritize and withstand pressure of continual work with variable requirements.
· Ability to concentrate and maintain accuracy despite frequent interruptions.
· Critical thinking and organization skills, problem solving, and reasoning capabilities.
Language Skills:
· Ability to speak English fluently, Spanish speaking or another language is a plus.
United Health Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer