JOB SUMMARY: Assures the adequacy and appropriateness of dental care provided to patients. Provides direct patient care in the office setting.

Note: All dental staff will be privileged and credentialed according to the rules and regulations of CSVS. The dental staff of each department or service is responsible for peer review activities to promote continuous improvement of the quality of patient care provided by the dental staff in all dental offices of CSVS.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Directs and coordinates dental care at the dental office.
• Serves as a dental practitioner for the dental office.
• Provides clinical supervision for dental office staff: dentists, dental assistants, dental hygienists, etc.
• Participates in administrative decision making, establishes policies, procedures and guidelines designed to ensure the provision of adequate, comprehensive care across all specialties.
• Develops, revises, and implements policies and procedures for patient care, infection prevention and control, quality management and patients' rights.
• Understands and ensures compliance with the dental offices policies and procedures for safety, infection prevention and control, hazardous materials, and waste, etc.
• Communicates with the dental staff regarding policies, standards, and specific patient problems.
• Serves as a member of the organized dental staff, attends dental staff meetings, and ensures adherence to the dental staff rules and regulations.
• Participates in the development and implementation of educational programs for staff and the community.
• Provides recommendations to CEO regarding capital expenditures for equipment and the facility.
• Monitors the health, welfare and safety of staff and advises administration on employee health policies.
• Able to evaluate dental services provided by the dental office and makes recommendations as appropriate.
• Available for consultation for clinical staff.
• Knowledgeable of social, regulatory, political, and economic factors that relates to patient care services.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of dental/health care errors.
• Supports and maintains a culture of safety and quality.
• Advises CEO concerning the adequacy and appropriateness of the dental offices scope of services for patients, its professional and support staff, and its dental equipment.
• Monitors and evaluates the quality and appropriateness of dental services as an integral part of the overall quality management program.
• Provides dental leadership for research and development activities in patient care.
• Articulates the dental practices mission to the community.
• Assists in developing educational programs for dental staff on policies and procedures.
• Assures supervision of DA/RDAs and assists in the development of policies and procedures for DA/RDAs.
• Educates staff on risk management activities and potential litigation issues.
• Orients new staff to the staff's role in the dental office.

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT:

• Assists with the development and implementation of the Quality Improvement Plan of the organization.
• Provides an annual review of staff performance, including tracking staff hours, patient encounters, productivity, member complaints and member satisfaction surveys.
• Monitors the results of the Dentist Satisfaction Surveys and implements corrective action when necessary.
• Refers appropriate cases to the Quality Management Committee for action and problem resolution.
• Assists the organization in obtaining accreditation status.
• Assists the CEO in the development and expansion of a system wide wellness program.

UTILIZATION REVIEW:

• Develops, implements, and monitors the Utilization Review Plan.
• Develops practice guidelines for high volume diagnoses in conjunction with the appropriate specialists.
• Educates staff about utilization practices to promote high-quality, cost-effective care.
• Develops written policies for the resolution of utilization problems.
• Plans and conducts interventions with outlier physicians.
• Assists in the growth and development of the Case Management program.
• Acts as a resource for the Utilization Review Coordinators.
• Reviews frequent or unusual referral requests.
• Interfaces with health plan Dental Directors as needed on utilization issues.

PROVIDES DIRECT PATIENT MEDICAL CARE:

• Performs histories and dental exams.
• Makes diagnoses.
• Treat a variety of disease processes and acute injuries.
• Orders appropriate diagnostic tests and treatments.
• Prescribes drugs and regulated dental devices.
• Provide preventive healthcare education to patients and the community.
• Refers patients to other healthcare professionals as appropriate.
• Takes patient phone calls as needed.
• Provides clinical training to nurses and other staff.

PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Adheres to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.
• Maintains regulatory requirements, including all federal, state, local regulations, and accrediting organization standards.
• Always maintains patient confidentiality.
• Wears identification while on duty.
• Represents the organization in a pleasant, positive, and professional manner.
• Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.
• Communicates the mission, ethics, and goals of the facility, as well as the focus statement of the department.

EDUCATION:

• Currently licensed to practice dentistry in the State of California.
• Current Board Certification.
• Current Drug Enforcement Administration Registration.
• Presentation of Certificate of Insurance.
• Administrative experience preferred.
• Previous experience in a managed care environment, including experience in quality and utilization management.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

• Able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills.
• Other languages preferred.

SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Basic computer knowledge.

ENVIRONMENTAL/WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Combination of medical office and exam/procedure room settings.
• Well-lighted, well-ventilated, adequate space.
• Exposure to communicable diseases and other conditions common to clinic setting.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position without compromising patient care.

Please note that this job description is intended to provide only basic guidelines for meeting job requirements. Responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities and working conditions may change as needs evolve.

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