DENTAL SPECIALIST (Various Specialties)

We welcome applications from everyone. The application window opens August 5, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. (PT) and remains open continuously until the position is filled.

About the organization

LA Health Services is LA County’s integrated healthcare system and the second-largest public health system in the nation. Our system includes four public hospitals, more than 20 community health centers, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Correctional Health Services, and community-based programs that connect people to care where they are. We serve as the safety net for more than 10 million residents, providing care regardless of ability to pay, insurance coverage, or immigration status.

With more than 2.9 million visits annually and a workforce of over 23,000 dedicated staff, LA Health Services delivers high-quality, compassionate, and accessible care to everyone, no matter how they come through our doors.

Benefits

We offer one of the strongest public-sector benefits packages in the country, including:

• A rich selection of health care options
• Robust retirement plans
• Flexible work arrangements to support work-life balance

Responsibilities

• Fulfill administrative and teaching responsibilities for General (Dental) Practice Residency or Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Training Program to achieve the educational goals of the programs.
• Serve as a Trauma Team Member in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery for a Level I Trauma Center.
• Provide trauma and other on-call responsibilities consistent with the needs of an acute care hospital.
• Perform specialty diagnostic, therapeutic, and consultative procedures for patients in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Outpatient Clinic, addressing orofacial deformities, injuries, or pathologic conditions of the jaws and associated structures.
• Maintain clinical privileges at both Harbor UCLA Medical Center and Martin Luther King Outpatient Care to ensure comprehensive dental care of medically compromised patients.
• Perform public health dental services, detecting and measuring the incidence and prevalence of oral health problems with emphasis on diagnosing, preventing, intercepting, and controlling oral health diseases.
• Perform complex endodontics, including root canal therapy on anterior and posterior teeth of both children and adults, with a focus on difficult posterior therapy, apicoectomy, root excisions, and retrofillings.
• Perform oral surgery, including removal of impacted teeth, torus mandibularis and torus palatinus, treatment of jaw fractures, and removal of pre-malignant lesions.
• Perform advanced periodontic procedures, including minor orthodontic treatments, and treat traumatic dental injuries for adults and children with special medical or psychological problems such as heart disease, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and physical, mental, and emotional handicaps.
• Perform complex procedures for the treatment of diseases and abnormalities of the periodontal structures of the jaw.
• Perform complex prosthodontic procedures, including construction of obturators for cleft palates and prosthodontic appliances to replace missing structures, and treat unusual and difficult denture cases.
• Perform comprehensive orthodontic services.
• Conduct or assist in the training of dental interns and residents.
• Conduct specialized dental research, special studies, and services as needed.

Requirements

• Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree conferred by a dental school approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), as required by the California Dental Practice Act.
• Successful completion of an Advanced Specialty Education Program in one of the following specializations approved by the American Dental Association:
  • Advanced Education in General Dentistry
  • Dental Anesthesiology
  • Dental Public Health
  • Endodontics
  • General Practice Residency
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
  • Oral Medicine
  • Orofacial Pain
  • Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Periodontics
  • Prosthodontics
  • Pedodontics*

  *Two years' professional experience in Pedodontics may be substituted for successful completion of an Advanced Specialty Education Program in Pedodontics approved by the American Dental Association.

• Current, unrestricted California license to practice dentistry issued by the Dental Board of California.
• If you graduated from dental school prior to 1980, a Radiation Safety License issued by the Dental Board of California or a certificate of compliance from an approved Board course in Radiation Safety is required.

Desirable qualifications

Additional credit will be awarded to applicants who have specialized work experience gained after completing an Advanced Specialty Education Program and who hold a board certification, approved by the American Board, in one of the Advanced Education Specialties listed above.

Physical demands

This position is classified as Physical Class 2 - Light, which includes administrative and clerical tasks requiring light physical effort. Occasional light lifting up to 10 pounds, some bending, stooping, or squatting, and considerable ambulation may be involved.

Special requirement information

• To receive credit for your education, submit a legible copy of your official diploma, transcript, or letter/certificate from an accredited institution within seven (7) days of filing your application to the exam analyst at Ckhodaverdian@dhs.lacounty.gov. Include the exam number and title in your email. Documents must show the date the degree was conferred and be in English. If not in English, a translation is required. International degrees must be evaluated for equivalency to U.S. standards if not listed in the International Handbook of Universities or World Higher Education Database.
• Applicants on withhold status (6 months) who are unable to meet the Advanced Specialty Education requirement will have their application expire. If the job posting is still available, you may reapply.

Examination and eligibility

This examination will consist of an evaluation of education, experience, and desirable qualifications based on application information, weighted at 100%. Candidates must achieve a passing score of 70% or higher to be placed on the eligible register. Eligible candidates will be placed on a list for 12 months, and applications will be processed as they are received. This list will be used to fill vacancies in the Department of Health Services as they occur.

Schedule

Appointees may be required to work any shift, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, and at any facility within the system.