Position Summary:

The Dentist is a clinical provider responsible for delivering comprehensive, high-quality dental care to patients of Mountain Laurel Medical Center. The Dentist evaluates patients’ oral health needs, develops individualized treatment plans, and provides preventive, diagnostic, restorative, and emergency dental services that support the mission, vision, and strategic plan of Mountain Laurel Medical Center. This role works collaboratively with other members of the care team to promote access to care, improve oral health outcomes, and provide a positive patient experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs comprehensive and periodic oral examinations and evaluates patients' dental and oral health.
• Diagnoses dental conditions and develops and updates individualized treatment plans based on patients’ clinical needs.
• Provides preventative, diagnostic, and restorative dental services within the Dentist’s training, experience, clinical privileges, and scope of practice.
• Performs general dentistry procedures, including restorations, crowns, bridges, extractions, and other procedures as clinically appropriate.
• Interprets dental radiographs and other diagnostic information.
• Diagnoses and manages dental emergencies, pain, infections, and oral disease.
• Prescribes medications when clinically appropriate and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Educates patients regarding diagnoses, treatment options, oral hygiene, preventive care, and recommended follow-up.
• Maintains accurate, complete, and timely clinical documentation in the patient's dental record.
• Coordinates referrals to dental specialists and other healthcare providers when appropriate.
• Collaborates with dental hygienists, dental assistants, and other members of the care team.
• Provides appropriate clinical direction and oversight to dental support staff as required.
• Follows established infection prevention, sterilization, radiation safety, and workplace safety procedures.
• Maintains patient confidentiality and complies with HIPAA and applicable federal and state requirements.
• Participates in quality improvement, peer review, clinical meetings, and continuing education activities as required.
• Performs other duties consistent with the Dentist's qualifications and scope of practice.
• Upholds the Code of Ethics and mission of Mountain Laurel Medical Center in a manner consistent with the core values of patient focused, respect, accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and integrity.

Education, Licensure and Experience

Required:

• Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from a dental school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
• Current, active, and unrestricted license to practice dentistry in the state(s) in which the Dentist will provide services (Maryland and/or West Virginia), or eligibility to obtain required licensure prior to providing patient care.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for healthcare providers.
• Current DEA registration and applicable state controlled-substance registration or prescribing credentials, when required based on assigned duties and practice location.
• Completion and maintenance of all continuing education, licensure, credentialing, and professional requirements applicable to the Dentist's state of practice.
• Demonstrated knowledge of general dentistry, including preventive, diagnostic, restorative, and emergency dental care.

Preferred:

• Three (3) or more years of experience as a Dentist
• Experience in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), community health center, public health dental program, or similar healthcare setting.
• Experience providing care to underserved, rural, pediatric, geriatric, or medically complex patient populations.
• Experience using electronic dental records and digital radiography.
• Experience working as part of a collaborative or interdisciplinary healthcare team.

Qualifications

Required:

• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, and current standards of general dentistry.
• Strong clinical judgment and ability to assess, diagnose, and develop appropriate treatment plans for patients with a variety of oral health needs.
• Demonstrated ability to provide safe, high-quality, patient-centered dental care.
• Knowledge of infection prevention and control, sterilization, radiation safety, and other applicable dental safety standards.
• Knowledge of HIPAA requirements and ability to maintain patient confidentiality and protect health information.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to clearly explain diagnoses, treatment options, risks, benefits, and preventive care to patients.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with patients, dental staff, medical providers, and other members of the interdisciplinary care team.
• Ability to provide culturally responsive care to patients from diverse backgrounds and with varying healthcare needs.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to effectively manage a clinical schedule and competing priorities.
• Ability to maintain accurate, complete, and timely documentation in the electronic health record.
• Upholds the Code of Ethics and mission of Mountain Laurel Medical Center in a manner consistent with the core values of patient focused, respect, accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and integrity.

General Requirements

Work Record

A demonstrated work record of attendance, punctuality, dependability, professionalism, and effective collaboration with supervisors and coworkers is essential. The employee must demonstrate professional and respectful interactions with patients, coworkers, and other members of the healthcare team.

Language Skills

Ability to read, understand, and apply clinical policies, safety requirements, professional standards, and procedural guidance. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, with patients, coworkers, healthcare professionals, and members of the public. 

Reasoning Ability

Ability to exercise independent clinical judgment, assess and evaluate patient needs, interpret clinical and diagnostic information, identify appropriate treatment options, and respond effectively to routine and complex clinical situations. 

Teamwork

Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with dental, medical, and administrative staff and contribute to a positive, team-oriented work environment. 

Sensitivity to the Needs of Special Populations

Ability to understand and respond appropriately, effectively, and sensitively to the diverse populations served by the organization, including individuals with varying cultural backgrounds, languages, ages, abilities, socioeconomic circumstances, health literacy levels, and healthcare needs. 

Understanding of Healthcare Laws and Regulations

Demonstrates knowledge of and compliance with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, professional standards, and organizational policies governing dental practice, patient privacy and confidentiality, clinical documentation, and patient safety. 

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit or stand for extended periods; use hands and fingers to handle and operate dental instruments and equipment; perform repetitive and precise hand, wrist, and finger movements; bend, reach, twist, and maintain positions necessary to provide patient care; and communicate effectively with patients and staff. The position requires sufficient visual acuity and hand-eye coordination to perform dental procedures and evaluate oral structures, diagnostic images, and clinical findings. The employee may be required to lift, carry, or move supplies and equipment weighing up to 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Work Environment

Work is primarily performed in a clinical dental environment with regular exposure to patients, dental instruments and equipment, blood and other potentially infectious materials, aerosols, disinfectants, and other materials commonly encountered in the provision of dental care. The position requires adherence to established infection prevention, occupational safety, and exposure-control procedures and the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). The employee may also be exposed to moderate noise from dental equipment and machinery. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.