Dental Director

Purpose:

• The Dental Director is responsible for the overall clinical direction of the dental staff and dental activities of the Western Wayne Family Health Centers. The Dental Director provides dental advice and direction relating to all program and policy issues. The position is responsible for overall patient quality and quantity of health services delivered. The Dental Director makes sure services are monitored to insure adherence to budget limits. The Dental Director provides direct patient care approximately 80% of the time and tends to administrative responsibilities 20% of the time. Providing leadership and mentoring to the dental provider staff is a key function of this position. In conjunction with the leadership team, the Dental Director is responsible for the overall development of the Center's health care plan, basing it on community health needs, the epidemiology of the community and the health-seeking behavior of the community.

PART I: ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTION AND DUTIES

• Examines individuals requesting care, diagnoses their dental/oral conditions, prescribes and carries out, or directs others in carrying out appropriate dental/oral treatment, or refers individuals for specialty consultation or treatment in conformance with approved clinical protocols and guidelines.
• Records patient-dentist transactions as they occur in the patient's dental record so that the dental record accurately and completely reflects the nature of the contact, the condition of the patient and the care or treatment provided. In addition, the Dental Director shall complete referrals, data collection instruments and other records or paperwork as shall be required from time to time by the company.
• Designs, develops and implements appropriate Dental Department policies, protocols, and procedures which are in compliance with the most current accepted professional standards.
• Confers regularly with the Chief Operations Officer regarding all aspects of WWFHC's health care activities.
• Acts as a member of the WWFHC Management Team and thereby participates in the financial planning of clinical services and in the management of all internal systems impinging upon clinical functioning.
• Supervises and guides Center's dental providers on referral practices and their impact on the Center's overall financial status.
• Participates in community and organizational activities designed to modify community health-seeking behavior, epidemiology and community health care needs.
• Ensures dental providers receive appropriate administrative training in using and managing EMR and adhere to the established practices of the clinic.
• Evaluates and arranges training for providers as necessary to produce accurate billings/codings for services rendered.
• Develops and supports the plan for provider staffing, equipment purchases and other relevant dental line items.
• Prepares and recommends provider position qualifications, policy and procedures for credentialing, job descriptions, and evaluation criteria for all dental personnel. Recruits, screens and interviews dentists, hygienists as potential candidates, and prepares recommendations for hiring.
• Participates in periodic management and clinical reviews directed by HRSA, Joint Commission, BPHC, PHS Region V, State of Michigan Department of Social Services, Michigan Department of Public Health, and any other applicable Federal, State or Local regulatory agency.
• Insures clinical assignments, rotations, call, leave, vacations, CME education and travel, etc. are scheduled appropriately.
• Advocates for FQHC. Represents WWFHC when appropriate to the local community, to other health care agencies and to the broader community of health care providers and policy makers. Serves as a liaison to Local and State professional societies, as well as to health officials, organizations and health training institutions.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in partnership with the agency's Chief Operating Officer (or delegated staff in his/her absence) in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Performs periodic evaluations of all Dental Department professional providers as directed by the policy of the company.
• Supervises, advises, counsels and disciplines all Dental Department professional providers in conjunction with the Chief Operating Office (COO) of the company.
• Recommends dental clinical objectives and service activities for the Center and takes major responsibility, along with other members of the Management Team, for coordinating their development.
• Prepares reports and recommendations for WWFHC's Board of Directors regarding clinical operations, medical service directions, productivity, community health care needs and the overall health care plan of WWFHC.
• Ensures patient assessment and treatment programs are developed and implemented in an appropriate, timely and ethical manner.
• Ensures quality assurance (QA) program is properly developed and administered; including established functioning internal quality committee, Board quality committee with routinely scheduled meeting.
• Provides quarterly Dental Director Report to the Board and CEO which includes productivity studies and QA reports prepared as a result of completed projects and interventions.
• Facilitates provider participation in interdisciplinary teams for health care services and development of agency programs and protocols as needed.
• Collaborates in the regular occurrence of monthly administrative and clinical meetings of WWFHC dental team, reviews monthly medical encounter statistics, and confers with individual dental providers regarding problems in this area.
• Develops and coordinates WWFHC's dental affiliations with other clinics, and individual dental offices.
• Ensures that WWFHC dentists participate in appropriate in-service activities and pursue continuing education opportunities relevant to their clinical specialties.
• Assists in the preparation of reports for HRSA and other granting agencies regarding clinical activities as needed(e.g. BCRR, Clinical Criteria, Quarterly Sterilizations Report, BCCCP, Flinn grant, etc.)
• As directed by the CEO and/or COO, performs other related and/or necessary tasks to achieve organizational and programmatic goals and objectives.

PART II: CLINIC WIDE RESPONSIBILITIES

Customer Relations:

• Treats guests, patients, physicians, and other employees with care, courtesy, and respect.
• Responds quickly and appropriately to customer request.
• Looks for and suggests ways to better meet customer needs.
• Answers clinic communications systems promptly and with courtesy and respect.

Teamwork:

• Works cooperatively within own department and other areas.
• Willingly accepts additional responsibility - tries to make others job easier.
• Responds quickly to request for assistance.
• Required to work closely with patients and associates.
• Interacts with other departments on problem issues.
• Accepts feedback from patients, visitors, clinic employees, physicians and general public.

Continuous Improvement:

• Continuously looks for and suggests ways to improve.

• Effectively completes assignment to achieve the greatest benefits at acceptable cost.

• Implements improvements as appropriate.

• Demonstrates interest in own growth and development by:

• Periodically evaluating own performance.

• Demonstrating an awareness of personal abilities and limitations.

• Independently seeking means to make improvements.

• Attends and participates in in-services and continuing education programs

• Attends departmental meetings.

Communications:

• Keeps appropriate people informed.
• Speaks and writes clearly, concisely, and appropriately for need.
• Listens carefully.
• Communicates tactfully.
• Understands that all confidentiality and privacy considerations are respected and fostered at work and off duty.

Self -Management:

• Presents a positive image of Western Wayne Family Health Center at all times.
• Carries out assignments with little need for direction.
• Timeliness.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Provides proper notification of absence and tardiness.
• Works weekends and shifts when necessary.