Chief Dental Officer

Position Summary

A full‑time, exempt position responsible for administering, maintaining, and expanding a program of primary and preventive dental care in a community health center setting. The Chief Dental Officer (CDO) supervises the dental staff of Four Rivers Community Health Center and represents the dental staff to the Executive Director. The CDO provides dental advice and counsel to the Executive Director and the Board of Directors.

Dentist, Dental Hygienist, Dental Assistants, Expanded‑Duties Dental Assistant and, in conjunction with the Clinic Office Manager, coordinates the work of the Dental Scheduler/Assistant, Dental Technician/Driver and other assigned personnel.

Reports to the Chief Executive Officer.

• Examines individuals requesting care, diagnoses their dental/oral conditions, prescribes and carries out, or directs others in carrying out, appropriate dental/oral treatment, or references 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 record accurately and completely reflects the nature of the contact, the condition of the patient and the care or treatment provided. Also completes referrals, data‑collection instruments and other records or paperwork as required by the organization.
• Educates individuals in the nature of oral‑health‑related conditions and in the general promotion of oral‑health‑related disease prevention.
• Designs and implements all dental systems and programs in accordance with community health standards and the policies of the Board of Directors of Four Rivers Community Health Center, Inc.
• Participates in short‑ and long‑term program planning for the Dental Department and the Health Center, including development of goals and objectives.
• Oversees peer reviews, chart reviews, staff education, clinical guideline development, and other continuing education and quality‑assurance activities to demonstrate compliance with standards, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Acts as consultant/collaborator to the clinical team in the area of specialty. Complies with patient confidentiality requirements, promotes patient advocacy.

Below are representative knowledge, skill, and/or ability requirements. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Ability to understand verbal information/instruction, to exchange verbal information with others and to present information/instruction verbally.
• Ability to read and understand written material and to compose information/instruction in written form.
• Ability to memorize.
• Ability to reason mathematically and to have problem‑solving and analytical skills.

• Ensure the functions and activities of this department embrace the philosophy, mission, and values of the Board of Directors of Four Rivers Community Health Center, Inc.
• Adhere to the guidelines and procedures of Four Rivers Community Health Center, Inc.
• Perform, supervise and monitor dental services in a manner that ensures delivery of high‑quality dental care.
• Assure the dental program meets appropriate patient‑outcome objectives, such as those promulgated by professional standards, accreditation bodies, evidence‑based practice and the state and federal governments (i.e., PHS, CDC).
• Prepare, monitor and control the dental budget.
• Participate in grant writing and reporting as necessary.
• Participate in local, regional and national organizations and activities as applicable to the Center’s oral‑health programs.
• Develop and maintain infection‑control policies and procedures for the dental department.
• Provide dental health services appropriate to the age‑specific needs of all patients in accordance with the principles of growth and development for infant, child, adolescent, adult and geriatric life cycles.
• Maintain CPR certification.
• Participate in recruitment and retention activities of…