Dentist, General

Join Our Team as a General Dentist!

Temporary Assignment (12-month contract)

Job Title: General Dentist
FLSA Status: Exempt
Department: Dental
Supervised By: Dental Director

Position Summary:
Under the guidance of the Dental Director, the General Dentist supports the mission of Hawai'i Island Community Health Center. This role involves professional dental care, patient diagnosis and treatment, dental education for non-dental staff, supervision of dental hygienists, public service, and administrative duties.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and restorative dental services.
• Review medical histories at each visit.
• Examine teeth, gums, and related tissues using dental instruments and diagnostic equipment.
• Chart and report pathologic conditions to patients.
• Discuss caries risk, diet, home care, and guidance with patients and parents.
• Develop and explain written treatment plans.
• Hold informed consent discussions and document them.
• Refer patients to specialists or other healthcare providers as needed.
• Enter and sign all treatments in electronic records.
• Instruct dental assistants in various procedures.
• Administer anesthetics during procedures.
• Use dental instruments and appliances.
• Design, make, and fit prosthodontic appliances.
• Perform root canal treatments and oral/periodontal surgery.
• Apply and prescribe cavity-preventative agents.
• Write prescriptions for antibiotics and other medications.
• Integrate patient education into treatment phases.
• Consult with dental hygienists.
• Plan and maintain dental health programs.
• Evaluate dental health educational materials.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate dental residents.
• Oversee staffing, paperwork, and insurance claims.
• Educate parents/patients for children 0-18 years old and those with special needs.
• Support the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Position Specifications:
Requirements:

• Valid dentistry license in Hawai'i.
• Prefer experience with community programs.
• Desire to work with children and adolescents.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Diagnosis and treatment of dental/oral diseases.
• Principles and techniques of dentistry.
• Preventive dentistry and educational methods.
• Oral operative skills and effective relationships with patients and staff.

Language Skills:

• Communicate with diverse groups, including staff, providers, and patients.
• Effective communication with patients and families.
• Sensitivity to multicultural populations; may require another language.

Personal Characteristics:

• Team player, high integrity, solution-oriented.
• Good communication and customer relations skills.
• Regular attendance, courteous, friendly, and respectful.

Confidentiality:

• Maintain high confidentiality of personal and professional data.
• Violation of confidentiality may result in disciplinary action, including termination.

Working Conditions:

• Dental clinic environment with exposure to airborne and bloodborne pathogens.
• Moderate noise level, no known environmental hazards.
• Stressful work environment with exposure to patients' conditions, unpleasant sights, smells, and contagious diseases. Hepatitis B vaccination series offered.
• Frequent use of office equipment (computer, printer, fax, copier). Occasional use of wheelchair, gurney, and other assisted devices.
• 40 hours per week, varying schedule based on operational needs (rotating shifts, standby, on-call). Exempt position under FLSA.
• Requires attention to detail, alertness, problem-solving, stress tolerance, and sound judgment. High tolerance for dealing with loss, grief, and bereavement. Essential stress management skills.

Join us in making a difference in our community!