Dental Director

About the Role

The Director of Dental Clinic Services provides strategic, operational, and administrative leadership for all Oral Health Services at St. Bernard Hospital in Chicago.

This is a healthcare leadership role first, responsible for overseeing multi-site dental operations including:

• Pediatric Dentistry
• Special Needs / Hospital-Based Dental Services
• Adult Dental Clinic
• Continuing Education Programs

The program is known for its specialized care for children with disabilities and medically complex needs, while also serving the broader community.

The ideal candidate is a strong healthcare or dental operations leader who can manage clinical programs, budgets, staff development, and community partnerships. Candidates with a DDS/DMD who also bring administrative and leadership experience are strongly encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead strategy, operations, and growth of Oral Health Services

• Oversee daily clinical and administrative operations across dental programs

• Manage budgets, staffing, and performance metrics

• Ensure quality, safety, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency

• Develop new programs aligned with community oral health needs

• Build and maintain community partnerships and outreach initiatives

• Support grant writing, fundraising, and external stakeholder engagement

• Collaborate with senior leadership on hospital-wide priorities

• Provide clinical care if appropriately licensed and clinically active

Qualifications

• Required:
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Public Health, Business, or related field
• OR DDS/DMD with demonstrated healthcare operations and leadership experience
• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience in healthcare, dental, or hospital-based operations
• Experience supervising staff and managing clinical or healthcare programs
• Preferred:
• Experience in community-based oral health programs or nonprofit healthcare
• Background in pediatric dentistry, special needs dentistry, or hospital-based dental care (for clinical candidates)
• Experience with budgeting, program development, grants, or healthcare operations strategy
• Strong ability to lead cross-functional teams in a mission-driven environment

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual salary: $120,000 – $190,000, commensurate with experience, education, and licensure
• Benefits: Medical, voluntary dental, voluntary vision, and a 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan

About St. Bernard Hospital

St. Bernard Hospital is a historic safety-net hospital on Chicago’s South Side, serving the community for more than 120 years. Guided by Compassion, Respect, Stewardship, and Exceptional Care, we are committed to providing accessible, high-quality care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.

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