Dentist

Dentists are responsible for meeting with patients to discuss and treat dental concerns, assess their dental health, perform preventative procedures, cleanings, and oral cancer screenings, and handle complex procedures such as fillings, extractions, denture-related services, and other duties to ensure healthy teeth and mouth. Ensure every patient has a recommended oral hygiene plan, including suggestions to improve oral hygiene when indicated. When necessary, these recommendations should also be communicated to the facility to ensure that the patient has the proper support for successful daily oral hygiene.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

1. Developing treatment plans to manage and treat dental and oral health issues.

2. Administering or prescribing medications to minimize oral pain and improve patient oral health.Interacting with patients and instructing them on proper oral care.

3. Measuring and fitting dental appliances, i.e., dentures, and partial dentures.

4. Performing dental procedures, such as extractions and fillings to treat dental decay and disease.

5. Applying helpful agents to teeth, such as SDF and fluoride varnish, when indicated.

6. Delivering local anesthetic when necessary for procedures.

7. Ordering diagnostic measures, such as x-rays, etc.

8. Using instrumentation, such as a mirror, scaler, or handpiece, to examine and treat teeth and mouth.

9. Keeping records relating to the oral health of patients and the treatments given to them.

10. Managing and communicating with other clinical team members to provide care to patients.

11. Referring patients to specialists, as needed.

Education and Training

• Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD), or a similar degree that gives a license to practice the dentistry profession.
• Capable of performing dental procedures on medically compromised patients on-location (i.e., Skilled Nursing Facility).
• Comprehensive knowledge of dental procedures, diagnostics, and instrumentation.
• Willingness to comply with all local, state, and federal laws regarding dental and health care.
• Willingness to expand knowledge in geriatric and special needs care with a continued desire to seek out and employ best practices.
• Ability to drive with a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

Work is performed in a skilled nursing setting with mobile dental equipment. Prolonged periods are spent driving vehicles, standing, and moving throughout the facility. Must be able to perform dental exams and other procedures bedside and/or with patients in various types of wheelchairs.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed represent the required knowledge, skills, and/or ability. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals to perform the essential functions successfully.