State of Maryland

A Dentist II is the full performance level of work providing dental services to clients participating in a public health program or to patients that have physical disabilities, behavioral health diagnoses, or developmental disabilities or clients at residential treatment facilities or to inmates of correctional facilities. Employees in this classification do not supervise.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a Dentist III or other designated health care professional. Employees are required to observe infection control precautions in order to prevent contamination and the spread of disease. Employees may be required to restrain clients displaying violent or aggressive behavior. The work may require the lifting of nonambulatory patients.

Positions in this classification are evaluated using the classification job evaluation methodology. The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Dentist I and the Dentist II are differentiated on the basis of degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees. The Dentist I performs the work under close supervision at times and under general supervision at other times depending on the complexity of the specific duty being performed. The Dentist II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision. The Dentist II is differentiated from the Dentist III in that the Dentist III has overall charge of a dental health program at a residential treatment facility, at a juvenile detention facility or within a local health department.

Conducts oral examinations of patients and obtains dental radiographs in order to make proper diagnoses;

Provides general dental care to patients by performing restorative, surgical, periodontal, endodontic, prosthetic and emergency dental procedures;

Determines the need and prescribes medication for pain and infection for clinic patients; Prescribes fluoride therapy as a preventive measure for clinic patients;

Consults frequently with physicians, nurses and other staff regarding care, treatment and medical condition of patients in order to determine patients’ suitability for dental treatment;

Refers patients to outside facilities for procedures beyond the scope of general dentistry;

Prepares patients’ records, such as dental history and dental treatment plan for each new admission into that program or facility;

Prepares statistical reports on a periodic basis of all dental services provided to patients;

Maintains proper inventory of supplies;

Reviews appointment schedules to assure periodic examination of patients;

Attends staff meetings and participates in diagnostic and treatment discussions, lectures, seminars, workshops, and case presentations in order to maintain a continual awareness of current practices, procedures and policies in the field of dentistry;

May perform prophylaxis procedures and provide oral hygiene instructions to clinic patients;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the current theories, principles and practices of dentistry;

Knowledge of the symptoms and behavioral problems associated with physical or developmental disabilities or behavioral health diagnoses;

Knowledge of the symptoms of common physical illnesses;

Knowledge of therapeutic techniques in patient interaction;

Knowledge of drug dosages and their effects;

Knowledge of medical terminology;

Knowledge of the care and maintenance of the equipment used in dentistry;

Skill in applying the principles of dentistry and oral hygiene;

Skill in the diagnosis of dental problems and treatment of diseases and injuries;

Skill in administering medication;

Skill in the handling of dental equipment;

Skill in preparing patients’ case histories and maintaining updated records;

Skill in preparing statistical reports;

Ability to gain the confidence and cooperation of patients;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, patients, and the general public;

Ability to carry out emergency and routine procedures for the protection and safety of patients, staff, and the public;

Ability to lift and position patients.

Education: Determined by the State Board of Dental Examiners under the licensing requirements for Dentists.

Experience: Two years of experience in the practice of dentistry.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute possession of a Master’s degree in Public Health for one year of the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Dental Officer classifications or Dental Corpsman or Officer specialty codes in the dental field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

1. Candidates for positions in this classification must possess a current license as a Dentist from the State Board of Dental Examiners, 4201 Patterson Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21215-2299.

2. Candidates for positions in this classification must possess or be eligible to obtain controlled substances registration certificates issued by the federal government and the State of Maryland in order to prescribe narcotic medication.

3. Employees in this classification may be required to successfully complete training in and maintain current cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification.

1. Applicants for this classification may be given a medical examination prior to appointment to determine their ability to perform the work of the position.

2. Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations 06.01.09, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Professional Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Professional Service positions.  Some positions in Professional Service classifications may be designated as Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit E, Health Care Professionals classes.  As provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series.  NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and class level from trainee to full performance level in a classification series.  In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series, an employee must: 1) perform the main purpose of the class, as defined by the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of supervision defined in the class specification and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.