County of Alameda

Under direction, to administer a dental care program; to assist in the administrative and professional direction of the dental services within the County; to provide professional dental services in a County clinic and public health dental clinical programs; and to do related work as required.  

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES  

The Dentist classification is located in the Public Health Department of the Health Care Services Agency and is primarily responsible for the dental care of the residents of Alameda County.  The Dentist reports to, and received direction from, the Dental Health Administrator, Division Director, or designee. The incumbent performs all appropriate preventive and restorative dental procedures and serves as a Dental health expert for the assigned department or programs. Incumbents in this class may provide guidance and direction to assigned professional, clinical, and technical staff.  

This class is distinguished from the higher single class of Dental Health Administrator in that the latter directs and manages a large, complex Public Health Dental unit comprised of several programs and initiatives which includes multidisciplinary professional, technical, paraprofessional, administrative and support staff and multiple funding sources. The Dentist classification further distinguishes from the Dental Health Administrator in that the former will provide programmatic technical oversight to staff within the assigned department or program.

NOTE:    The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification.  However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level.  Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Plans, develops, implements, monitors, and evaluates dental services and dental health programs through subordinate staff for Alameda County residents; provides professional dental care in a clinical setting.
2. Performs oral examinations and evaluations, using X-Ray and other special equipment required.
3. Performs restorations and prophylactic procedures; may perform oral surgery; treats mouth diseases; fits and adjusts dentures.
4. Develops and uses specialized dental techniques for clinic patients/clients.
5. Participates in Public Health emergency response activities via department-wide or program-specific on-call rotation.
6. Oversees Dental Public Health mentorship programs for dental interns/residents.
7. Prepares presentations and conducts clinical training for the dentist community.
8. Develops and implements protocols and program standards for the assigned Dental Health programs. Assures compliance with federal and state regulations for Dental Health programs and trains program staff accordingly.
9. Assures the collection and analyzation of data and prepares reports for the assigned program(s).
10. Provides technical, consultative, and training services to other programs as needed.
11. May provide direction to professional, clinical, and technical staff; advises direct supervisor on performance standards, provides input on staff’s performance and assists in the corrective actions when necessary.
12. Takes a leadership role and incorporates Quality improvement (QI) functions within the assigned dental programs.
13. Reviews and approves Dental Treatment Plan for County’s Healthy Smiles program.
14. Collaborates with private dental offices for improving access to care for the Alameda County residents.
15. Updates and trains program staff with new clinical and preventive guidelines from local, state, and federal authorities.
16. Participates in a variety of clinical and administrative meetings.
17. Participates in State-wide health policy making in such areas as bioterrorism and chronic disease management.
18. Acts as a resource in providing information to County Departments on dentistry and on the scope and degree of dental service the County can provide; assists in deciding the priority of dental care for various groups of patients and in the distribution of County funds for dental care.

License:  

Possession of a valid license to practice dentistry in California. 

AND

Experience:  

The equivalent of two (2) years’ full-time experience in the practice of dentistry.  

NOTE:    The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

NOTE:    The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.  

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of modern dentistry and oral surgery.
• Modern principles, practices, and trends in an appropriate Dental clinical program.
• Current trends in research and legislation related to the specialty/service.
• Community, State, and national resources available for application in the dental specialty.
• Community organization and private/public dynamics and development.
• Principles and best practices in the delivery of culturally competent dental services.
• Administrative analysis and report preparation.
• Principles and methods of lead supervision, management, and training, including workforce planning and resource allocation in a dental health setting.
• Disparities in health outcomes for vulnerable populations including socio-economic and environmental factors that affect health equity.
• Principles and practices of effective organization, management, monitoring, quality assurance and quality improvement indicators.
• Principles and practices of public health education and teaching. Interviewing, assessment, and counseling techniques.
• Ten Essential Public Health Services.
• Complex health care systems and techniques of collaboration.  

Ability to:

• Plan, monitor and evaluate dental service and health programs for clinic patients/clients.
• Analyze effectiveness of policies, procedures, operations and interventions, and modify as needed to improve programmatic objectives.
• Assess the health status and concerns of clients and communities.
• Instruct patients and members of the clinic staff in oral hygiene and dental care.
• Exercise interpersonal sensitivity, political astuteness, and group interactions skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Write Dental Clinical standards, procedures, and protocols.
• Oversee and review the work of professional, clinical, and technical personnel.
• Assist in the development and presentation of educational programs and materials.
• Facilitate and model effective written and oral communication with attention to linguistic preferences and cultural proficiency.
• Exercise independent judgment within the scope of authority and practice.
• Prepare, analyze, and monitor program budget and other data.
• Prepare clear, accurate and effective reports, correspondence, policies, informational brochures, and other written materials.
• Incorporate departmental core values and ethical standards of practice into all interactions with individuals, organizations, and communities.

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.