State of Maryland

A Dentist III, Community Health is in overall charge of the dental health program within a local health department.  Employees in this classification may or may not have supervisory responsibility for professional dental staff or support staff positions assigned to the dental health program.  The classification determining factor for positions in this classification is dental program responsibility in a local health department.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a designated health care professional or higher-level administrator.  Employees are required to observe infection control precautions in order to prevent contamination and the spread of disease.  Employees may be required to restrain clients displaying violent or aggressive behavior.  The work may require the lifting of non-ambulatory patients.

Positions in this classification are evaluated using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Dentist III, Community Health is differentiated from a Dentist II in that the Dentist III, Community Health is in overall charge of the community dental health program within a local health department, while the Dentist II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Directs and coordinates day-to-day operations of a community health dental program for a local health department;

Develops, implements, and administers innovative program goals and submits yearly budget proposals in order to meet the public health dental needs of county residents;

Designs and implements public health dental programs to address dental needs;

Submits an annual program plan and performance statement for review by local and State level authorities;

Conducts epidemiologic studies to determine prevalence and severity of dental disease;

Analyzes collected data in order to note irregularities in the fluoride levels of the designated county public water supply and makes recommendations to the appropriate health official;

Purchases equipment and supplies for the dental program and maintains equipment in the optimal condition;

Develops, implements and maintains a dental health education program for designated county public schools;

Conducts oral examinations of patients and obtains dental radiographs in order to make proper diagnoses;

Provides and supervises general dental care to patients including restorative, surgical, periodontal, endodontic, prosthetic and emergency dental procedures;

Determines the need and prescribes medications for pain and infection for clinic patients;

Prescribes fluoride therapy as a preventive measure for clinic patients;

Consults frequently with physicians and nurses regarding care, treatment and medical condition of patients in order to determine patients’ suitability for dental treatment;

Refers patients to outside facilities for procedures beyond the scope of general dentistry;

Reviews and prepares patients’ records, such as dental history and dental treatment plan for each new admission into that program;

Reviews appointment schedules to assure periodic examinations of patients;

Attends staff meetings and participates in diagnostic and treatment discussions, lectures, seminars, workshops, and case presentations in order to maintain a continual awareness of current practices, procedures and policies in the field of dentistry;

May perform prophylaxis procedures and provide oral hygiene instructions to clinic patients;

May act as dental consultant to various local agencies;

May recruit and supervise dental health personnel assigned to the dental health program;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of dental public health methodology and care systems;

Knowledge of budgetary procedures;

Knowledge of supervisory principles and procedures;

Knowledge of the current theories, principles and practices of dentistry;

Knowledge of the symptoms and behavioral problems associated with physical or developmental disabilities or mental illness;

Knowledge of the symptoms of common physical illnesses;

Knowledge of therapeutic techniques in patient interaction;

Knowledge of drug dosages and their effects;

Knowledge of medical terminology;

Knowledge of the care and maintenance of the equipment used in dentistry;

Skill in developing policies and program goals;

Skill in preparing reports which identify problems and recommend solutions;

Skill in supervising subordinate health care staff;

Skill in organization and time management;

Skill in applying the principles of dentistry and oral hygiene;

Skill in the diagnosis of dental problems and treatment of diseases and injuries;

Skill in administering medication;

Skill in the handling of dental equipment;

Skill in preparing patients’ case histories and maintaining updated records;

Skill in preparing statistical reports;

Ability to gain the confidence and cooperation of patients;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, patients, the general public and personnel in other agencies;

Ability to carry out emergency and routine procedures for the protection and safety of patients, staff, and the public;

Ability to lift and position patients.

Education:   Determined by the State Board of Dental Examiners under the licensing requirements for Dentists.

Experience: Three years of experience in the practice of dentistry with two years of the required experience in a public health program.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute possession of a Master’s degree in Public Health for one year of the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Dental Officer classifications or Dental Corpsman or Officer specialty codes in the dental field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

1. Candidates for positions in this classification must possess a current license as a Dentist from the State Board of Dental Examiners, 4201 Patterson Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21215-2299.

2. Candidates for positions in this classification must possess or be eligible to obtain controlled substances registration certificates issued by the federal government and the State of Maryland in order to prescribe narcotic medication.

3. Employees in this classification may be required to successfully complete training in and maintain current cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Professional Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Professional Service positions.  Some positions in Professional Service classifications may be designated as Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit E, Health Care Professionals classes.  As provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.