Dentist III

Location: Carlsbad, TX

About the role

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. The centers provide campus-based direct services and supports at 13 centers located throughout the state.

The Dental Director directs the activities of the Dental Department including supervision of one or more Dental Assistant(s) and Dental Hygienist(s). The Dental Director is responsible for dental services for all individuals living at the Supported Living Center and certain identified individuals living in community-based settings including advanced dental care and treatment to elevate the oral hygiene of all individuals. The Dental Director is responsible for implementing the best practices in treatment.

Administrative responsibilities include budget planning and management, policy development, hiring and firing of staff, and developing systems in conjunction with other departments related to dental care and oral hygiene. The Dental Director is an integral part of Medical Services working to elevate overall health for individuals residing at the State Supported Living Center. Provides treatment to HHS employees injured in course and scope of employment.

Responsibilities

• Oversees and manages dental services provided to multi-disabled individuals with challenging behavioral issues and multiple medical system issues, including individuals with unique dental malformations at the State Supported Living Center, and certain identified individuals living in community-based settings.
• Monitors and evaluates the quality of dental services provided by other dentists and dental personnel, and determines system changes needed to improve oral function, oral hygiene, and appearance, and implements process changes when appropriate.
• Plans, organizes, manages and controls department and interdepartmental functions related to dental services to ensure best quality of services possible.
• Develops systems and policies to improve dental health, oral hygiene and overall health of individuals by staying current on best practices in dental services, and reviews and revises or develops policies that are consistent with evidence-based practices.
• Develops and authorizes the implementation of desensitization practices, ensures other dental personnel follow the plan of care, to include evaluation of current medications and possible interactions with dental sedation methods.
• Documents provision of dental services, and obtains, tracks, analyzes and writes reports regarding dental services both individually and organizationally.
• Communicates with individuals, family members, guardians, to discuss dental needs of individuals, and to explain dental services provided and needed and to address complex situations.
• Develops relationships with community members and dental personnel in the community to raise awareness of and improve dental services, and to expand training opportunities and public relations.
• Plans, assigns and supervises the work of Dentist(s), Dental Hygienists and Dental Assistants; hires, trains, motivates and takes disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment, as needed.
• Responsible for contractual arrangements with oral surgeons, dental anesthetists, and other dental specialists.
• Performs administrative functions such as developing and working to remain within the dental budget and working with interdisciplinary groups and teams to improve dental services and overall health care and operations of the facility.
• Provides expert consultation and assists with hiring and other dental supervision as needed at other SSLC’s.
• Provides treatment to HHS employees injured in course and scope of employment.
• Performs other duties as assigned including but not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.

Requirements

• Must be licensed as a dentist by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners.
• Must have current registration certificate from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).
• Must possess a National Provider Identifier (NPI#).
• Experience in general practice dentistry work is required. A minimum of ten years’ experience in general practice is preferred.
• Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aide, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct and HHS List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).
• Males between the ages of 18 – 25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• All State Supported Living Center Employees are subject to Random Drug Testing.
• Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.
• Must be willing to work weekends and holidays.
• All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.

Skills

• Knowledge of and experience performing dental services including use of dental equipment.
• Knowledge of best practices related to oral hygiene and health care.
• Knowledge of and experience diagnosing dental problems and documenting examinations and courses of treatment.
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn, ICF-IID standards, certification requirements for the Council on Quality and Leadership, HHSC policies and procedures, and the Department of Justice Settlement Agreement.
• Skill in using basic computer software and electronic medical/dental record systems.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to work with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Ability to manage a department and direct the work of others effectively.
• Ability to maintain required continuing education hours.

Benefits

Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Pay

Salary Range: $16,700.00 - $21,018.66 per month

Schedule

• Shift: Day (First)
• Full-time, regular position
• Not eligible for telework
• Travel: Up to 5%