Dental Officer

PLEASE NOTE - This position may require temporarily relocation to other TONHC Facilities: Sells Hospital, Santa Rosa Health Center, San Simon Health Center, and San Xavier Health Center.

Position Summary:

The incumbent performs a full range of professional dental duties and treatments of commonly encountered dental diseases or health problems.

Scope of Work: The position is located within the Tohono O'odham Nation Sells Hospital and any health clinics within the TONHC service area. Incumbent works under the general supervision of the Chief of the Dental Branch.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: (Depending on the area of assignment, an incumbent may not be required to perform some of the duties listed below):

• Review patient's medical charts for evidence of disease or abnormalities which could be adversely affected by dental treatment and take necessary precautions to ensure safe and effective treatment.
• Performs oral examinations to include inspection of hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity and ensures a proper record of the exam in the patient's chart.
• Diagnoses pathological or irregular conditions. Develops patient's treatment plans and ensures proper referral of patients for necessary medical evaluation or specialty care if beyond the scope of general dental practice. Ensures that patients understand the proposed treatment plan.
• Requests required dental radiographs and performed radiographic interpretation.
• Administer local anesthesia.
• Perform restoration of simple and complex cavities with standard and approved materials: amalgam, composite.
• Serves as a general dentist and provides prosthodontics, Endodontics, Oral Surgery, and Pediatric Dentistry.
• Refer patients with conditions requiring treatment beyond their expertise for treatment to specialists.
• Contribute to a team effort.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Professional knowledge of dentistry as evidenced by graduation from an accredited school of dentistry and licensure to practice as a dentist in Arizona.
• Ability to deal with dental health cases distinguished by behavior and communication problems.
• Knowledge of the Tohono O'odham culture.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally.
• Knowledge of medical diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease as they relate to the care and treatment of the teeth.
• Knowledge and ability to recognize common dental disorders and conditions such as inflamed tissue and tooth decay and perform intra-oral procedures to treat these conditions.
• Knowledge of HIPAA-related rules and regulations.
• Skill in providing superior customer service to external and internal customers.
• Ability to be compassionate and have good communication skills.
• Ability to maintain privileged, confidential information.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with other employees and the general public.

Minimum Qualifications:

• D.S. or D.M.D. from a dental school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Licenses, Certifications, Special Requirements:

• Must possess and maintain a current and valid Dental License to practice dentistry in the state of Arizona.
• Upon recommendation for hire, a criminal background and a National FBI fingerprint check are required to determine suitability for employment, including a 39-month driving record.
• May require possessing and maintaining a valid driver's license (no DUIs or major traffic citations within the last three years).
• If required, must meet the Tohono O'odham Nation tribal employer's insurance requirements to receive a driver's permit to operate program vehicles.
• Based on the department's needs, incumbents may be required to demonstrate fluency in both the Tohono O'odham language and English as employment conditions.